Criminal Justice Connections, Volume 18, Number 12, November/December 2010 Page: 6
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Reductions continued from front page
legislators as :hey make budget decisions,
but given some of the preliminary esti-
mates regarding the size of the shortfall, I
am skeptical that any agency will be com-
pletely exempt.
Will you oppose any further budget
reductions to TDCJ?
Our Legislature Appropriations Re-
quest ([AR) for fiscal years 2012 - 2013
clearly identifies our priorities for fund-
ing, and we will seek the funding neces-
sary to maintain critical agency operations
consistent with our LAR. I will also strive
to ensure lawmakers understand the im-
pact of any specific budget reductions on
public safety, agency operations and our
employees. Providing accurate and timely
information :s the most effective thing
agency administrators can do in regards
to dealing with legislators and the legisla-
tive process. (Note: The LAR is available on
the TDCJ website.)
Do you think it is possible any pris-
ons will be closed as a result of the
state's budget situation?
Not at the expense of public safety;
I think safety remains the highest prior-
ity of all our elected officials. However, if
after reviewing projections of inmate pop-
ulation growth and considering various
proposals regarding sentencing laws and
other aspects of the criminal justice sys-
tem, lawmakers conclude a prison could
be closed without negatively impacting
public safety, then it is possible.
As far as the role we will play should
discussions about prison closings occur,
understand :his agency cannot and will
not attempt to influence public policy
which determines how many offenders
are incarcerated. Those decisions are the
prerogatives of our elected officials andare made based on various factors related
to public safety and cost-effectiveness.
The agency's responsibility is to provide a
safe prison environment for staff and of-
fenders, which means our communication
would focus on issues like adequate staff-
ing and overcrowding.
Agency employees are obviously
most concerned with a potential
reduction inforce. Do you have any
idea how many positions might be
impacted should appropriations
be reduced?
I have no idea because it would de-
pend on where the reduction in funding
occurred, but unlike some state agen-
cies that primarily distribute grants or
purchase services, we are an operational
agency with a greater share of our spend-
ing going toward employee salaries. This
means reduced appropriations would be
more likely to impact staffing. While I re-
alize the uncertainty is troubling, nobody
can answer that question right now, so
employees should be extremely skepti-
cal if they hear rumors to the contrary. It
would all be speculation.
In past legislative sessions the agen-
cy has advocated targeted salary
increases for certain positions as
well as across-the-board pay in-
creases for other staf. In light of the
budget situation, will you continue
seeking increased compensation for
TDGJemployees?
Not this session. I don't think that is
realistic and see no reason to create false
expectations.
Vhen do you think employees
will know the outcome of budget
deliberations?Final decisions regarding the budget
for the FY 2012 - 13 biennium, which be-
gins September 1, 2011, would be made
in May at the earliest, and probably no
later than next August. Now, if agencies
are asked to make additional spending
reductions during the current fiscal year,
we would know the impact of those reduc-
tions much earlier. (Note: Just as this artici
went to print, all state agencies received a re
quest from the governor and the Legislativ
Budget Board to identify an additional 2,
percent in possible budget savings during
the current fiscal year.)
In closing, is there anything else
you would like to say to TDCJ
employees?
The TDCJ mission is to provide pub-
lic safety, promote positive change in of-
fender behavior, reintegrate offenders
into society, and assist victims of crime,
and that mission is accomplished through
your hard work and dedication. Every em-
ployee contributes, whether they directly
supervise offenders in our correctional
institutions or in the community, provide
treatment and programming or perform
one of the many other critical support
functions. As policy makers grapple with
difficult budget and policy decisions, we
will try to keep you informed through this
newsletter, the agency website and other
means of communication. S
Bulletin continued from page 3
might include hearing about the offender's
debriefing. Within two to three weeks, the
mediator holds individual follow-up meet-
ings with both the victim and offender.
During Fiscal Year 2010, 101 VOM/D
cases were initiated. During that same
period, 29 person-to-person dialogues
and 14 creative alternative dialogues were
completed. From the program's inception16 CRIM NASUSTRE NNECIINS :
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Texas. Department of Criminal Justice. Criminal Justice Connections, Volume 18, Number 12, November/December 2010, periodical, November 2010; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth902782/m1/6/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.