We’re all familiar with the budget cuts that are causing havoc within the Texas legislature at this point. Who isn’t aware that Texas is facing a $27 billion dollar shortfall. As of May 4, 2011, the Senate passed their version of the state budgets. While the Senate version is more generous than the House version of the budget (they plan on spending $12 billion more than the House), every state agency will take a hit. While I’m sure we have all heard about the impending budget cuts that will be affecting the Texas public school systems, what we haven’t heard about is how budget cuts will affect the prison system. For a system that already is short on funds, further budget cuts will be extremely detrimental, especially on already underserved populations such as prisoners with TBI or PTSD. The House version of the budget would result in a 16.5% gap between what TDCJ requested and what is provided by the House budget. The House budget plans on cutting funding for providing services for prisoners with special needs (including those with PTSD and TBI) by 45.1%. Imagine the impact this will have on services!
Join in the discussion on budget cuts to our prisons by checking out these sites for more information related to the proposed budget cuts to Texas state prisons:
Interim Digest
brokenchains.us/tdcj/prison-issues/budget.html
Texas Tribune: Procedural Move Allows GOP to Pass Senate Budget
Texas Tribune: Advocates -- Prison Health Cuts Will Prompt Lawsuits
TCJC: Impact of Cuts Under HB 1
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