INFORMATION ABOUT COUNTY JAILS & INMATES (updated by volunteer Kayla Bennett in 2011)

• Texas Commission on Jail Standards (info on meetings, standards, local jails)
• VINELink (vinelink.com): the online version of VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday). You can obtain timely and reliable information about criminal cases and the custody status of offenders 24 hours a day. Includes a comprehensive list of internet links and toll-free numbers for victim services and resources in all 50 states.

JAIL GRIEVANCES AND INMATE RIGHTS

• Texas Commission on Jail Standards – You can send your complaint by emailing, writing a letter, or faxing a short description. They prefer something in writing, not you calling. Fastest way is to fill out their online complaint form – click here> Online Complaints
• If you don’t get a response or it’s a serious emergency, then call: 512 463-5505 and ask for assistance. It is better to write first. They have a small staff and the entire state to deal with but they work as fast as possible, checking with the jail and then reporting back to you.

Att: Complaints Investigator
P.O. Box 12985
Austin, TX 78711-2985
FAX: 512-463-3185

• ACLU of Texas – The Prison and Jail Accountability Project of the ACLU is dedicated to making Texas prisons and jails safe and humane places to live and work. They monitor prisons and jails by tracking the conditions of confinement, and receive thousands of letters every year from prisoners and their families.  - From the ACLU website: “Each county and city jail has a formal grievance process. In many cases you or a family member may have to ask jail staff for a grievance form. If you or a family member were locked up in city or county jail and were not told that you have the right to file a grievance, submit your complaint NOW.”

• Texas Civil Rights Project: Self-Help Resources -The Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP) promotes racial, social, and economic justice, and their Prisoners’ Rights Program works to improve conditions in Texas prisons and jails through litigation and advocacy.

IF YOUR INMATE’S COURT-APPOINTED LAWYER WILL NOT TALK TO YOU

The State Bar’s Client/Attorney Assistance Program may be able to help; their mission is to help mediate disputes between attorneys and clients.  Click here.

ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS FOR PRISONERS IN STATE PRISONS AND STATE JAILS

• Texas Inmate Families Association
  P.O. Box 300220
  Austin, TX 78703-0004
  Phone: (512) 371-0900
  Email: tifa@tifa.org
  WEBSITE: www.tifa.org
• Texas Civil Rights Project
  Scott Medlock, Prisoners’ Rights Attorney
  1405 Montopolis Drive
  Austin, TX 78741
  OFFICE: 512-474-5073 ext. 105
  WEBSITE: http://www.texascivilrightsproject.org
  (To see if they can help you with a case, you have to call on a Thursday, 2 to 4 p.m., for initial conversation and screening; they have limited staff.)
• Texas Criminal Justice Coalition
  P.O. Box 301587
  Austin, TX 78708-0027
  OFFICE: 512-441-8123
  This group works on several different areas from the Juvenile Justice Initiative to the Fair Defense Project
  and three more, so please check out their website for more info:
  http://www.criminaljusticecoalition.org
  To find out more about their Fair Defense Project, contact
  lpinney@criminaljusticecoalition.org or call 512.441.8123, x. 114
• Texas CURE
  OFFICE: 121 Burning Tree Ln
  Garland, TX
  75042
  972-276-9865
  WEBSITE: www.txcure.org

ORGANIZATIONS, RELIGIOUS GROUPS & PUBLICATIONS HELPING INMATES

• Stage Seven –
• Angela House in Houston – Angela House is a residential facility for women exiting the criminal justice system that was established in July 2001. A maximum of sixteen women, without regard to race or religion, reside at Angela House where their basic needs are met. The women also participate in a program structured to assist them in selecting viable options that will help them to lead productive and meaningful lives in the future.  As women enter Angela House, they are asked to make a minimum four (4) month committment to the program. It is run by the remarkable Sister Maureen O’Connell.

• Inside Books Project – Awesome grassroots group that has been “Sending Free Books to Texas Prisoners since 1998!” They do it all with volunteers and donated books and donated bucks for mailing costs—and there’s a personalnote with each book! Give Inside Books a few bucks when you can.

• Prison Legal News – Prison Legal News is an independent 56-page monthly magazine that provides a cutting edge review and analysis of prisoner rights, court rulings and news about prison issues. PLN has a national (U.S.) focus on both state and federal prison issues, with international coverage as well. PLN provides information that enables prisoners and other concerned individuals and organizations to seek the protection and enforcement of prisoner’s rights at the grass roots level. Started by a former inmate, PLN regularly challenges and sues the Texas jails that try to block inmates from receiving information or publications!

2011 SUMMER CAMPS FOR CHILDREN OF THE INCARCERATED

• Camp Allen – Camp Good News, Navasota Texas
  The camp is set in the Piney Woods of east Texas and is open to children between the ages of 10 and 15. Camp Good News will be held June 5 – 11, 2011. There is no cost to the parent or caregiver, however, participation is limited to 60 children who are accepted on a first come, first served basis. Camp Good News is held at beautiful Camp Allen (near Navasota) which is owned by the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.
  For more information write or call:
  Ed Davis, Coordinator
  Box 388
  Huntsville, TX 77342
  edsalpc@yahoo.com
  or contact Restorative Justice Ministries at 936-291-3153
  Visit www.campallen.org for more information on the camp

• Promise Camp, Amarillo Texas
  Promise Camp is located on the Bishop Quarterman Ranch and is open to children entering 4th, 5th, and 6th grades.
  Promise Camp is tuition free to all campers. Transportation to and from camp is provided to children living in and around
  the cities of Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene, Midland-Odessa, and San Angelo.
  For more information write or call:
  Katy Hoskins
  email at Katy@promisecamp.org
  325-235-7151
  Visit www.promisecamp.org for more information on the camp and the dates that camp is offered

• Restorative Justice Network – A network of individuals and organizations that collaborate in creating and implementing Biblical solutions to the problems and challenges of those working with inmates and the criminal justice system.

• Project Matthew – Project Matthew is a faith based Parenting, Childbirth and Life Skills education and support program focused on mothers who may be incarcerated in County and State Jails, or residents in domestic violence and homeless shelters in Dallas, Texas. The amazing Lis Holland runs Project Matthew.

• Truth Be Told – A non-profit service organization providing transformational tools for women behind and beyond bars. Programs provide respectful listening and creative tools for personal and spiritual growth for incarcerated women. These folks know what they are doing; volunteers needed from the Gatesville area.

• Bridge to Life – A faith-based nonprofit corporation founded in 1998, with a primary mission to reduce crime by reducing the recidivism rate of released inmates. By participating in face-to-face sessions inside the prison, both victims and offenders participate in a restorative justice process.

(for Dallas contacts, click here)

STATE GOVERNMENT

Contact the STATE REPRESENTATIVE and/or SENATOR for your district and report problems and situations with county/city lockups.
To find out who represents your area, go to this website and put in your address and zip code to find out who your elected representative is and how to contact them.

Texas Commission on Jail Standards
Mr. Adan Munoz, Executive Director
P.O. Box 12985
Austin, TX 78711-2985
OFFICE: 512-463-5505
FAX: 512-463-3185
E-MAIL: adan.munoz@tcjs.state.tx.us
WEBSITE: http://www.tcjs.state.tx.us

A special state agency studies the treatment or lack of treatment of county jail inmates with medical or mental conditions:

• Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments.

Email: tcoommi@tdcj.state.tx.us

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

• New Department: National Resource Center on Justice Involved Women

• U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division
  Wan J. Kim, Asst. Attorney General
  950 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
  Washington, DC 20530
  OFFICE: 202-514-2151
  FAX: 202-514-0293
• U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division
  David Deutsch, Esq.
  950 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
  Office of the Asst. Attorney General, Main
  Washington, DC 20530
  OFFICE: 202-514-6270
  E-MAIL: David.Deutsch@usdoj.gov
  (Mr. Deutsch said he is the Sr. Trial Atty. responsible for the DOJ investigation of the DCJ.)
• United States Attorney, Northern District of Texas
  The Honorable Richard B. Roper
  Earle Cabell Federal Bldg.
  1100 Commerce St., Ste. 300
  Dallas, TX 75242-1699

Other Advocacy Groups Working to Improve Conditions and Communication

• Advocacy, Inc. – Advocates for, protects and advances the legal, human and service rights of people with disabilities.
• Texas Coalition of Criminal Justice  – TCJC is committed to identifying and advancing real solutions to the problems facing Texas ’ juvenile and criminal justice systems. We provide policy research and analysis, form effective partnerships, and educate key stakeholders to promote effective management, accountability, and best practices that increase public safety and preserve human and civil rights.
• Texas Civil Rights Project
• Texas CURE  – For 35 years, TX CURE has organized prisoners, their families, and others to work for Texas criminal justice laws, policies, and practices that recognize and affirm the humanity of all persons, achieve healing and reconciliation, and are effective in reducing crime and violence. Helga Dill has helped hundreds of inmates and families—and she needs your support!
• Texas Inmate Families Association  – TIFA members have united to support families affected by having a loved one in the Texas criminal justice system and to improve the conditions and life chances of Texas inmates. At their regional chapter meetings all over Texas, families can exchange information and hear speakers from both TDCJ and advocacy groups.

Read these blogs

• Grits for Breakfast – A must read! Looks at the Texas Criminal Justice System, summarizes and discusses news articles from around the state relating to criminal justice issues

• Stir Crazy in Texas – Focused on mental illness and the Texas criminal justice system.

• Liberty and Justice For Y’all – This blog is a resource on current issues involving criminal law and procedure in Texas.

• Texas Prison Bidness – Posts information about the growing prison-for-profit industry in Texas and shares information about the true costs of private prisons to individuals, families and communities in Texas and across the country.