Texas’ top criminal justice lawmakers are considering sending community leaders into public schools to teach ninth graders how to interact with police.
Johnathan Silver
Johnathan Silver reported on the state’s criminal justice system for the Tribune from 2015 to 2017. Previously, Johnathan was a Texas Associated Press Managing Editors Buster Haas intern and staff reporter at the Victoria Advocate. A Fort Worth native, Johnathan graduated from The University of Texas at Arlington with bachelor’s degrees in political science and criminal justice – and a graduation mug from The Shorthorn, the campus student newspaper.
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Criminal Justice
$25 million proposal would fund bulletproof vests for patrol officers in Texas
A bill in the Texas Legislature would institute a $25 million grant program to pay for bulletproof vests for all patrol officers in Texas.
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Politics
Texas lawmakers focus on friendship on legislative session’s first day
With pomp and circumstance inside the Capitol and protests and prayer rallies outside it, the Texas Legislature kicked off its 85th session on Tuesday.
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Criminal Justice
Rodney Ellis leaves Texas Senate with criminal justice legacy
The 2017 legislative session will open without former state Sen. Rodney Ellis, a 26-year lawmaker who became a criminal justice reform titan in the upper chamber.
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2016 Year in Review
Dallas shooting changed the conversation about police in Texas
The July ambush of police officers in downtown Dallas was one of the highest-profile examples of the intense community-law enforcement divide in 2016.
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Criminal Justice
For transgender inmate who filed suit, parole and maybe a settlement
Passion Star has spent nearly 14 years in Texas prisons, where she alleges she was repeatedly sexually assaulted, beaten and threatened. State officials have discussed settling the federal lawsuit Star filed over her treatment, court records show.
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Criminal Justice
New program moves women from prison to life
Before they can earn their freedom, about 40 Texas prisoners will be the first to complete a six-month program that focuses on decision-making and life skills.
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Health care
Texas officials confirm 4 more locally transmitted Zika cases
State and local officials have identified four more locally transmitted cases of Zika in Cameron County, weeks after the first such case in Texas was reported there.
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Criminal Justice
Greg Abbott appoints new Dallas County district attorney
Republican Faith Johnson, a former state district court judge, will finish the term of Dallas District Attorney Susan Hawk, who resigned in September after taking medical leaves to treat depression and mood disorder.
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Criminal Justice
Revised screening, vigilance lead to drop in Texas jail suicides
Texas county jails have seen an almost 60 percent decrease in suicides from last year.