Budget Cut Proposals

[mcb1303]

Obviously there are plans for the Legislature to review budget cuts and TDCJ will be included in the cuts for 2011. Everyone is always asking about whether 3g offenses will start getting Good Time Credits applied to their time for parole eligibility. While the legislation is on break, preparing plans for these budget cuts, maybe it is a good time to write our senators. Show them there is a way to cut the budget, to provide an incentive to inmates with aggravated offenses to follow the rules and still protect the public. Afterall wouldn't the ones that have aggravated crimes be the ones you want to follow the rules the most? If they follow the rules and receive Good Time then they are likely to do the same out here. Those that cannot follow the rules wouldn't get the Good Time.

[teenyone21]

I think it is a great idea to try and get going! Do you have a sample letter?

[mcb1303]

I will put a sample letter together. I would like to reference some existing studies to make our argument stronger so I need to do a little research. Hopefully I can get something posted today or tomorrow.

[teenyone21]

Sounds great to me! My Husband is a 3g offender and has already been incarcerated for 11 years and has 11 more to go before eligible for parole. I think that it is only fair for them to be able to earn good time as well if they can follow the rules in prison.

[mcb1303]

Okay this first letter is for Senator Whitmire. There will need to be one sent to each of the representatives in our districts to let them know that there are citizen/voters in their district that do not view these positions as "soft on crime", but rather support smart policies within TDCJ. I will draft a separate letter to those representatives.

Senator John Whitmire
803 Yale Street
Houston, TX 77007
Fax: (713) 864-5287

Dear Senator Whitmire,

Recently there have been numerous reports of states across the nation that are facing budget cuts. It is being reported that our great state is going to be faced with making some of the same difficult decisions in 2011. Cuts will presumably have to be made within Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) in the next legislative session. This comes at a time when more investments are required to control the contraband coming in to the system. As you are aware, currently contraband is a large issue within the prison system. While staffing shortages have improved, TDCJ still has staffing shortages. As you are also aware, recently an inmate escaped using a gun smuggled into the system. Since the regulations requiring certain inmates to serve 50% of their time there are limited resources available to deter these issues. An inmate serving a sentence for a 3g offense may receive Good Conduct Time Credits, but it has no bearing on his/her sentence and is essentially voided due to the 50% rule for parole eligibility. We must use resources to better the conditions for the prison staff and protect the public. By allowing inmates to receive incentives such as Good Conduct Time Credits and you will see a drop in Contraband. Those that cannot see the end to their sentence essentially have nothing to loose. They feel hopeless, but if you give them an incentive, show them every day you have good behavior will bring you closer to going home to your loved ones it will make the conditions for staff better; it will help the state start saving money within TDCJ, it will reduce contraband and behavioral issues within the system. TDCJ is obviously struggling to get a handle on this situation, give the inmates an opportunity to participate in the solution. By implementing Good Conduct Time you would not have to require that an inmate is released, only that are eligible for parole to review their file. Parole would still have to review their file and grant them release. Those that are unable to follow the rules still would have their Good Conduct Time suspended and obviously would be denied by the Parole Board when they do make it for review. Allowing a 3g offender to apply their Good Conduct Time towards the minimum 50% time served can provide an incredible incentive for those offenders with the lengthiest sentences. Even though they will understand that the decision is still ultimately up to the Parole Board, the mere thought of being given a chance to be reviewed will provide incentive to many of your 3g offenders. Those offenders that have very lengthy sentences are exactly the ones that need the most the incentive. When incarcerating someone there are two goals, punishment and rehabilitation. Many offenders are very young when they commit crimes (3g or non-3g). Incentives like Good Conduct Time should be allowed to both 3g and non-3g, it will assist in the rehabilitative process, it will give them incentive to participate in additional programs that will ultimately help their success once released back in to society and it will provide incentives to avoid participation in activities that are against the rules of TDCJ.

Thank you for your time.

Jane A Citizen
123 ABC Street
Houston, TX 77777

[MrsSwift]

I sent a copy with my representatives info!! Here is helpful to find out "Who represents you"- you put your address & it tells you your district representative & the others but for this letter you need your district representative----www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us

[teenyone21]

Thank you for the info!!!

[mcb1303]

Just a thought - When sending letters to your representatives, even if Senator Whitmire does not appear for you on "who represents me" it is important to send letters to him as well. He plays a major role in creating/changing policies for the criminal justice system.

[MrsSwift]

Is it ok to fax this letter to Senator Whitmire or should it be mailed?

[mcb1303]

I faxed all of my letters to each of my representatives. I am sure they will still be received and it made things easier for me.

[FredIam]

THANK YOU! For taking the time to put this together! I will definitely be sending it out.

[Lorraine]

My husband is a 3g offender also.. I want to send a letter, but I don't live in Texas. Should I just send it to Whitmire?

[mcb1303]

Originally Posted by Lori1817

My husband is a 3g offender also.. I want to send a letter, but I don't live in Texas. Should I just send it to Whitmire?

I agree with FredIam. The worst thing they can do is not read the letter, but MAYBE if all these people start getting letters they will at least start talking to each other asking what is going on. Maybe we can at least get a conversation started.

[FredIam]

Lori I am sending it to my reps and the ones in the district my son was sentenced in....heck...I may not stop there.

IMO! EVERY rep in the state needs a copy.

And what about the judges, DA's...every politician and political candidate? I think the only way change will come is if our voices are heard far and wide.

** With the warning of speaking with your loved ones attorney before sending it to a judge or DA that still has jurisdiction over your loved one**???

[FredIam]

The elected list: http://electedlist.com/Texas.html

You can get info on them at this site.

[mcb1303]

I was thinking about sending letters to the TDCJ Board (Brad Livingston and Oliver Bell) too. Any thoughts on that?

[FredIam]

I think that is a great idea!

[MrsSwift]

I got a letter back from my district representative. She said thanks for writing but she doesnt agree that 3g offenders should get good time. She believes that they need to do at least half the time & if they are good then parole will see it that way and let them go at that time. She would not be voting to agree with any kind of policy change like the one I was discussing. BOOO to her lol Guess we cant change all of their minds

[mcb1303]

That's is a little disappointing, but we can not expect to change everyone's mind with one letter. It will take time. We just have to keep up our fight. We don't agree with everyone and everyone won't always agree with us. I am disappointed to hear that though.

[eb2009]

My brain is tired. Lol! Can someone list the people we need to write and their address and this will be our suggetions on the budget cuts, correct?

[Back12draft]

I'm not a big fan of letter writing campaigns after doing so last year. I wrote to Senator Whitmore, State Representatives, Brad Livingston, and a bunch of people in TDC. All I seemed to get were replies showing they’ve forwarded my concerns to another office, a different department or a different person. All in all, nothing accomplished, not even a simply reply validating my concerns or issue.

Sure it makes us “Common Folk” feel as if we’re doing something for our loved ones but has anyone seriously had any dramatic results based on writing letters to people of influence that live and work in the all mighty Crystal Tower? If so, I'd love to know how to get those elusive results.

[mcb1303]

I can't say with any certainty the letters will or won't have any effect on the choices made in 2011. All we can do is hope that it could possibly get the conversation started. This is what I know I can do, if you have a suggestion of what else to do I'd love to hear it. Maybe our letters will help make a difference, maybe they won't. I am certain just sitting here complaining aloud to each other with no action will not accomplish anything though, so my choices are write letters to numerous people and possibly be heard or sit on my hands and do nothing. I choose the first option. I understand the frustration that you feel, but you don't just give up. There is a lot of talk about prison reform nationwide, now is the time for us to be heard. Maybe we won't be THE REASON laws are changed, but maybe we can give it that final push to get the issue heard in 2011.

[eb2009]

I think we should all write letters. I will get started on mine this week