Promoting Family Stability is Key to Effective Rehabilitation for Female Inmates Experts Tell Legislators

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dotty Griffith, Public Education Director, ACLU Foundation of Texas (512) 478-7300 x 106 or 923-1909; [email protected]

AUSTIN - Elected state and county officials led the call Thursday for better programs to address the needs of women and girls in Texas prisons and jails.

At a Capitol press conference, Rep. Marisa Marquez of El Paso and Travis County Sheriff Greg Hamilton outlined successful programs and urged lawmakers to consider adopting similar initiatives. Their remarks were a lead in to the House Corrections Committee hearing later the same day.

Rep. Marquez noted that female inmates have "gender specific issues" and that committee hearings would review "institutional and community supervision programs" that make it less likely for former inmates to commit more crimes after release.

During the last session, Rep. Marquez authored HB 3653 and HB 3654 establishing health care standards for imprisoned pregnant women and ensuring safe birthing environments by prohibiting the use of restraints during labor, delivery or recovery.

American Civil Liberties Union of Texas Executive Director Terri Burke said, "We thank Rep. Marquez for her leadership in the last legislative session to pass bills that established better health care standards in prisons for pregnant women." She went on to encourage other officials to adopt programs similar to Sheriff Hamilton's because "In the long run, programs like this save taxpayers money. These efforts encourage family stability and discourage reoffending."

Texas Jail Project Director Diana Claitor said lack of programming for women incarcerated in Texas county jails and prisons results in higher recidivism while worsening the condition of these women, especially those with learning disabilities and mental health issues. "Provide treatment and education to female inmates, using models from other jails and prisons, and our Texas facilities will be able to help reduce costs to counties and communities in the future and give the children of the incarcerated a fighting chance," said Claitor.

Sheriff Hamilton and Jennifer Scott detailed the successful PRIDE program, an initiative developed by Scott, for incarcerated mothers in Travis County Jail.

Jonathan Eddison, restorative justice activist, described a program in California to provides transportation so children can visit incarcerated mothers thereby preserving family bonds. He discussed an Austin-based-program called "Truth Be Told" that is providing classes and post-release mentoring for women in both county jails and state prisons.

Busi Peters-Maughan, CEO and Founder of WHEW (Women Helping and Empowering Women), described her organization's efforts to support incarcerated women and girls rehabilitation work.