Children in the juvenile justice system should not have to fear for their safety.
After a new sex abuse scandal in Texas' youth prisons, the state has decided to move some young people to the adult prison system instead. Will that make the kids safer? No, it will not. The Youthful Offender Agency is also paroling youth offenders and releasing others to halfway houses. This method - smaller, resource-based juvenile centers closer to homes - is most effective in keeping juveniles safe from unnecessary harm while receiving the support that's instrumental to their future success.
We must demand that our state leaders embrace proven alternatives to warehouse-like juvie facilities. Texas needs to pivot away from exposing underage offenders to adult inmates and facilities.
Please take a moment to contact Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to ask them to follow expert's recommendations and close Texas' large juvenile facilities, not to funnel them into the adult system.
