Austin: New Sheriff Should Support Inmate Programs

County commissioners and law enforcement across Texas often talk a good game about reducing recidivism and diverting people with mental illness. However, at the same time, many officials—and the jailhouse culture—erect barriers to programming that could help inmates while they are incarcerated. Romy Zarate says such programs can turn a life around.

"I was probably in the county jail about four times. Without the programming, I was in and out," says Zarate. "When I was in, I was planning where I would score when I got out; after the programming, I stayed out."

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Claitor, D. 08/16/2016 Claitor: Why Travis Co. sheriff candidates aren’t talking about inmates. Austin Statesman.