TCJC In the News

Press Contact: For all media inquiries, please contact Madison Kaigh, Communications Manager, at mkaigh@TexasCJC.org or (512) 441-8123, ext. 108.

 

Bipartisan Coalition for Criminal Justice Reform Debuts

September 18, 2014

We may be some four months away from the start of the 84th Legislature, but preparations are well underway. And while much of that groundwork is taking the form of opposing interest groups getting ready to beat the living daylights out of each other, a somewhat happier tale may have started yesterday at the Capitol, where an unlikely bipartisan group of criminal justice reformers gathered to launch an effort that stands a good chance of making gains next session.

Read the rest of this article at the Texas Observer.

New coalition wants to reform sentencing for nonviolent offenders

September 17, 2014

A new coalition is outlining major juvenile and criminal justice reform they want to see in the next legislative session. ‘Texans Smart-on-Crime Coalition’ is looking to change state laws that criminalize nonviolent crimes, and get those people back to work.

Read the rest of this article at KXAN.

Representative Ruth Jones McClendon Applauds Smart On Crime Coalition

September 17, 2014

Representative Ruth Jones McClendon (D-San Antonio) released the following statement after the press conference held at the Capitol this morning: “It is truly fantastic to see the creation of the Smart on Crime Coalition between the Texas Association of Business, Texas Public Policy Foundation, Texas Criminal Justice Coalition, American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, and Goodwill Central Texas. 

Getting Smart On Crime: New coalition launches legislative effort to bring about major juvenile and criminal justice reform in Texas

September 17, 2014

A broad-based and diverse coalition of groups is coming together to support criminal justice reforms that will make the system more just and, at the same time, improve public safety for all Texans.

Bipartisan Coalition Pushes for Justice Reform

September 17, 2014

A bipartisan coalition pegged "Smart-on-Crime" is hoping to send a strong message to state lawmakers when it comes to criminal justice reform. "The biggest thing we'd like to see is that probation be used much more often than it is currently,” Bill Hammond with the Texas Association of Business said. “Non-violent, non-sexual offenders—probation should be the first option."

Read the rest of this article at Time Warner Cable News - San Antonio.

Texas groups from left, right unite for justice reform push

September 17, 2014

In a union of strange bedfellows, groups on the political left and right have united to press the Texas Legislature to adopt a series of criminal justice reforms intended save money and decrease prison populations.
 
Read the rest of this article at the Austin American-Statesmen.

Republican Rep. Tan Parker open to medical marijuana in Texas

September 16, 2014

This election season our newspaper added two questions on drug policy to questionnaires we sent candidates for state offices. Rep. Tan Parker, R-Flower Mound, surprised me with his answer on whether he’d support putting a medical marijuana amendment on the ballot for voters to decide.

Read the rest of this article at The Dallas Morning News.

Broad-Based Coalition Launching Smart-On-Crime Initiative

September 15, 2014

The Texas Smart-On-Crime Coalition will announce a wide-ranging and comprehensive criminal justice reform agenda for the 2015 Legislative Session at a Capitol news conference on September 17, 2014.

PODCAST: End of the road for Driving Responsibility Program

Houston's Morning News with Matt Patrick, welcomes attorney Elizabeth Henneke of the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition, to discuss the end of the road or the Driver Responsibility Program. 

Read the rest of this article at KTRH.

Broad Coalition Urges End to 'Lock 'em Up' Crime Policies

After decades of being 'tough on crime,' a broad coalition of groups ranging from the conservative Texas Association of Business to the liberal American Civil Liberties Union are urging a pivot, and want the state to take steps to become 'smart on crime' instead, Newsradio 1200 WOAI reports.

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