September 15, 2012 (Press-News.org) The Texas Youth Commission's juvenile sexual and physical abuse scandal occurred back in 2007, but Texas is still experiencing its repercussions. Juvenile advocacy organizations called for reforms and lawmakers debated how to prevent such a scandal from happening again, resulting in significant policy changes aimed at getting the Texas juvenile justice system back on the right track.
Juvenile Abuse Reports
In 2007, there were widespread reports of physical and sexual offenses against teens at Texas juvenile correctional facilities operated by the now-defunct Commission. At the time, more than 5,000 teens were held in state-run secure facilities in rural areas of the state; juvenile justice reform efforts began by changing this policy. According to Correctional News, the number of juveniles in rural facilities is down to 1,200.
One of Texas' main objectives is to move juvenile offenders closer to their homes. State Senator John Whitmire, D-Houston, chairman of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, told Correctional News that sending teens to rural areas limits their access to resources and role models. According to Whitmire, juvenile offenders are more successful in familiar surroundings where they can reestablish themselves after serving their sentences.
A recent survey released by the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition, based on interviews with youths in state facilities, supports this policy. The survey found that county-level facilities are more effective than remote facilities in promoting safety, rehabilitation and family involvement.
Consolidated Juvenile Justice Department
The abuse scandal, besides having its own serious consequences for those involved, also drew attention to Texas' need to overhaul its juvenile justice system. As part of these ongoing efforts, the Texas Legislature created the Texas Juvenile Justice Department to replace the former Texas Youth Commission and the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission. The consolidation is primarily intended to save the state money. According to the Brenham Banner-Press, the merger could save Texas up to $150 million over two years.
Criminal sex offense allegations against juveniles or adults can have major consequences. Those who have been arrested or charged with such offenses should contact a criminal defense attorney to defend them and protect their legal rights.
Article provided by Law Offices of Frank Jackson
Visit us at http://www.sex-crime-defense-texas.com/
Reports of Abuse Lead to Texas Juvenile Justice Overhaul
Reports of juvenile sexual and physical abuse led to major Texas juvenile justice system reforms.
2012-09-15
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Half of Georgia Home Sales Are on Foreclosed or Distressed Properties
2012-09-15
Throughout 2012 Georgia has consistently ranked at or near the top nationally in foreclosed properties, according to data from RealtyTrac, an online foreclosure database company. In May, Georgia led the nation in foreclosures, with one in 300 properties in foreclosure proceedings. The number represents a 15 percent increase from the same time last year.
Foreclosures do not seem to be slowing down, either. In May, Georgia led the nation in foreclosures, and was third in June. Overall, foreclosures were up 3 percent from Q1 to Q2 in Georgia. However, the number of foreclosure ...
IRS Reviews Whistleblower Program to Encourage Future Participation
2012-09-15
Over the past five years, the Internal Revenue Service has received plenty of tips on delinquent taxpayers through its tax whistleblower program, but many of those tipsters have not been given what was promised to them -- a reward. As a result, the program has met harsh criticism from attorneys and politicians, prompting the IRS to promise a comprehensive review to improve the program. In contrast, the Securities and Exchange Commission's and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's whistleblower programs have seen early success, bearing fruit and yielding whistleblower ...
Can Bankruptcy Improve My Income Tax Problems?
2012-09-15
The dischargeability of income tax is one of the most complicated matters to assess in a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.greaterbostonlaw.com/Bankruptcy-Law/Bankruptcy-Chapter-7.shtml]personal bankruptcy[/url]. Therefore, you should never try to apply any rule you hear to your situation without the input of an experienced bankruptcy attorney...but
If the return was due more than 3 years ago
AND
The return was actually filed more than two years ago
AND
The tax was assessed more than 240 days ago.
The tax is probably dischargeable ...
Skilled Immigrant Workers Face Long Green Card Wait Times
2012-09-15
The U.S. immigration process for skilled workers is becoming more drawn out, according to a recent report by the research group National Foundation for American Policy.
In its October 2011 analysis, the NFAP found that current wait times for employment-based green cards are projected to be about 5 to 8 years for many potential immigrants, with far longer waiting periods expected for certain others, depending on their preference category and country of origin. According to the projections, some potential immigrants from China and India may be required to wait as long ...
New Policy Postpones Deportation of Young Undocumented Immigrants
2012-09-15
With a controversial executive order announced earlier this summer, President Obama initiated changes to U.S. immigration policy that are intended to postpone indefinitely the deportation of young undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children, while also allowing them to receive employment authorization.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
On August 15, 2012, the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service began accepting applications to the new program, known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
The program is open to undocumented immigrants ...
CETCI Launches YES IMS Ten Channel IAQ Monitor
2012-09-15
Critical Environment Technologies Canada Inc. (CETCI) officially launches the YES Intelligent Monitoring System (IMS).
YES IMS is a self-contained, indoor air quality (IAQ) monitoring system with ten channel sensor capacity including relative humidity (RH) sensor, temperature sensor, up to seven additional gas sensors, and a remote gas sensor.
Options include a fixed wall mount or a portable desktop version with a wide range of sensors to choose from, including a particulates, electrochemical, semi-conductor, infrared, and PID. The fixed wall mount version can be ...
VSSOD Corporation Appoints Senior Director of Product Development
2012-09-15
VSSOD Corporation, an independent provider of business agility software today announced the appointment of Dinesh K. Somani to the position of Senior Director of Product Development. Dinesh is an accomplished technology and finance professional who brings over two decades of experience to his new role at the company, where he is focused on architecting the next generation of VSSOD software solutions.
Dinesh has a history of excellence in designing and building large scale complex software solutions across a wide range of industries, including financial securities, transaction ...
Payroll Service Provider Partners with Custom Software Development Company
2012-09-15
A custom software development company, Unique Solutions of
Advanced Technologies, today announced that Unique Solutions has partnered with the payroll service provider, NZ Payroll Inc. With this announcement, Unique Solutions begins a joint venture alliance to increase profitability and improve the efficiency of businesses working with NZ Payroll Inc.
Founded in 2006, Unique Solutions is a recognized leader in IT Solutions, helping local, national and global businesses to reduce business risk and maximize Return on Investment. It is Unique Solution's mission to provide ...
Daryl Tuffey Retires From All Cricket
2012-09-15
Tuffey has retired from all forms of cricket to concentrate on his work commitments with Moa Beer, and specifically to pursue a job opportunity in Australia.
Tuffey represented Auckland Cricket, Northern Districts and New Zealand over the course of his career, picking up 77 test wickets and 110 ODI wickets in 123 international matches.
He made his debut for Northern back in 1996/97 as an 18 year old, coincidentally against Auckland, before forcing his way into the BLACKCAPS in 1999/2000. That was the start of an 11 year career in the national team that involved ...
Guy Monroe Records and Shares a Smile with Joe Vitale
2012-09-15
No stranger to strengthening confidence and charisma, key enrichments that Dr. Joe Vitale shares a firm belief in; Guy Monroe delivers powerful resources to expand on your personal self-expression. In 2012, Monroe has shared his passion with Vitale, recording acoustic guitar on the track "Smile," a song that instills hope and healing through the power of music.
Dr. Joe Vitale has provided readers with a seeming endless catalog of inspiration and advice for achieving dreams and personal goals through the use of positive action. Teaching people to understand ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Study confirms that people with ADHD can be more creative. The reason may be that they let their mind wander
Research gives insight into effect of neurodegenerative diseases on speech rhythm
Biochar and plants join forces to clean up polluted soils and boost ecosystem recovery
Salk scientist Joseph Ecker awarded McClintock Prize for Plant Genetics and Genome Studies
ADHD: Women are diagnosed five years later than men, despite symptoms appearing at the same age.
Power plants may emit more pollution during government shutdowns
Increasing pressures for conformity de-skilling and demotivating teachers, study warns
Researchers develop smarter menstrual product with potential for wearable health monitoring
Microwaves for energy-efficient chemical reactions
MXene current collectors could reduce size, improve recyclability of Li-ion batteries
Living near toxic sites linked to aggressive breast cancer
New discovery could open door to male birth control
Wirth elected Fellow of American Physical Society
The Journal of Nuclear Medicine Ahead-of-Print Tip Sheet: October 10, 2025
Destined to melt
Attitudes, not income, drive energy savings at home
The playbook for perfect polaritons
‘Disease in a dish’ study of progressive MS finds critical role for unusual type of brain cell
Solar-powered method lights the way to a ‘de-fossilized’ chemical industry
Screen time linked to lower academic achievement among Ontario elementary students
One-year outcomes after traumatic brain injury and early extracranial surgery in the TRACK-TBI Study
Enduring outcomes of COVID-19 work absences on the US labor market
Affirmative action repeal and racial and ethnic diversity in us medical school admissions
Cancer progression illuminated by new multi-omics tool
Screen time and standardized academic achievement tests in elementary school
GLP-1RA order fills and out-of-pocket costs by race, ethnicity, and indication
Study finds HEPA purifiers alone may not be enough to reduce viral exposure in schools
UVA Health developing way to ID people at risk of dangerous lung scarring even before symptoms appear
How can we know when curing cancer causes myocarditis?
Male infertility in Indian men linked to lifestyle choices and hormonal imbalances
[Press-News.org] Reports of Abuse Lead to Texas Juvenile Justice OverhaulReports of juvenile sexual and physical abuse led to major Texas juvenile justice system reforms.