Tag Archives: Texas Department of Criminal Justice
The 10 Best Observer Stories of 2016: ‘No Place for Old Men’
Texas prisons are filling up with the old and the ill — at enormous expense.
No Place for Old Men By Dick J. Reavis Published February 15 The state of Texas operates 109 prisons holding about 148,000 inmates. Some 27,000 of them are, l...Read More
The 10 Best Observer Stories of 2016: ‘The First Time Texas Killed One of My Clients’
An attorney pieces together a life cut short.
Editor’s Note: It’s hard to find new ways to write about the death penalty. And in these polarized times, most readers already have their minds made up....Read More
UPDATED: Online Posts Appear to Show TDCJ Officers Encouraging Violence Against Trans Prisoner
Comments on a September Observer article include ‘one to the back of the head.'
Comments on a September Observer article include ‘one to the back of the head,’ and ‘let the f-cker suffer.’ ...Read More
Texas Judge Dismisses Trans Prisoner’s Lawsuit Seeking Gender Confirmation Surgery
Vanessa Lynn Gibson said that "the reality of the situation is emotionally devastating, and I won’t lie, I was so mad I couldn’t stop crying."...Read More
Social Media Ban Could Curb Free Speech Behind Bars
Prison reform activists say a new social media policy inside Texas prisons could keep both prisoners and advocates from talking about life on the inside....Read More
The Draw of Death Row
With “dark tourism” on the rise, Huntsville’s prison museum is thriving.
The gift shop offers shirts honoring the electric chair: "Home of Old Sparky," and the museum's visitors get a 'selectively edited' history of corrections....Read More
No Place for Old Men
Texas prisons are filling up with the old and the ill — at enormous expense.
Texas prisons are filling up with the old and the ill — at enormous expense....Read More
Baby Steps on Trans Health Care
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) has quietly made it easier for transgender prisoners to access hormone therapy and other medically necessary hea...Read More
Why This Texan Won’t Be Celebrating Juneteenth This Year
With Juneteenth approaching, now’s a good time to consider the living legacy of slavery in our state. ...Read More