Issues

Recent allegations have surfaced regarding sexual abuse at the Texas Youth Commission (TYC) facilities, prompting an immediate response by the Texas Legislature and public officials.  Officials have set into motion a multitude of formal actions to investigate reported abuses and review the administration at the agency, and ensure that these abuses can not occur again.

In response to allegations, the Legislative Audit Committee (LAC) met to examine the conduct and fiscal management of the TYC. The committee voted to recommend that the Governor either create a state agency rehabilitation plan or appoint a conservator.

The Governor then appointed Jay Kimbrough, Special Master for TYC.   One of his first actions as special master was to send about 70 law enforcement officers, including Texas Rangers and Texas Department of Public Safety officers, to the 22 lockup facilities and halfway houses operated by the agency in order to monitor the juveniles in custody and ensure possible evidence remained in tact.

The Lieutenant Governor and Speaker also appointed a Joint Select Committee on the Texas Youth Commission.  The committee is charged with investigating recent allegations of sexual abuse at certain facilities administered by the TYC. It will also examine the agency's policies and procedures, and make recommendations for how to improve its future oversight of youth being rehabilitated in these facilities. 

The select committee met Thursday, March 8 to hear testimony from the Texas Ranger who initially investigated the allegations of abuse, the State Auditor's Office, the Attorney General's office, the new special master and the TYC board members.  After hours of testimony, the committee took a vote of no confidence in the performance of the agency’s board.  The select committee is expected to meet again later this week.

In addition to committee action, Representative Jerry Madden, Chairman of the House Committee of Corrections, filed legislation that could serve as a vehicle for structural reform of the agency.  He is also working on a bill that would establish an inspector general at TYC and another bill to give authority to the state's special prosecution unit over TYC.  The Governor declared TYC reform an emergency matter, allowing these bills to be taken up at any time by the Texas House.

The TYC is the state agency charged with providing the care, custody, rehabilitation, and reestablishment in society of Texas' most chronically delinquent or serious juvenile offenders. The agency operates 13 secure institutions and nine residential halfway house programs to hold an estimated 4,500 offenders.  For more information on the state agency visit the Texas Youth Commission Web site.