Private companies will lose their contracts to operate five federal prisons in Texas under a U.S. Department of Justice plan announced Thursday to phase out private management of federal lockups nationwide.
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
Texas Department of Criminal Justice to Request Budget Cut Exemptions
On Thursday, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice presented a legislative appropriations request to its governing board that offered $28 million in cuts. Officials added that they would seek an exemption from further cuts.
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Criminal Justice
Corrections Agency Punishes 4 in Prison Officer’s Murder
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has disciplined four employees in connection with an inmate’s murder of French Robertson Unit correctional officer Mari Johnson in July.
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Criminal Justice
From Michael Morton’s Wrongful Conviction to Exoneration (Timeline)
In the 30 years since Christine Morton was murdered, her husband Michael Morton has been wrongfully convicted of killing her and fought for sweeping changes to state law. Look back at his case and the developments since his release.
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Criminal Justice
How Michael Morton’s Wrongful Conviction Has Brought Others Justice
Thirty years ago, a Williamson County murder set in motion a shoddy prosecution that led to the wrongful conviction of Michael Morton. It’s a miscarriage in justice that’s still felt in the state’s criminal cases.
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Criminal Justice
Texas Prisons Ponder Cutting $250 Million
With the 2017 state budget dance approaching, the Texas prison system is following instructions to cut 4 percent from its spending. Will that mean closing prisons and releasing more nonviolent inmates?
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Criminal Justice
Paxton Sues to Get Guns Into Austin City Hall
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing the city of Austin in Travis County district court, trying to force the city to comply with his reading of the state’s open carry law and let license holders openly carry handguns in city hall.
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Criminal Justice
Report Finds Almost 7,000 In-Custody Deaths in Texas
Almost 7,000 individuals in Texas have died in police custody or behind bars over the past 10 years, according to an online report released Wednesday by a University of Texas at Austin research institute. Nearly 2,000 of them had not been convicted of a crime.
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Criminal Justice
After Dallas Ambush, Texas Police to Push for Open Carry Changes, Funding
Texas lawmakers brushed off the wishes of many in law enforcement when they passed open handgun carry legislation in 2015. With pro-police rhetoric flowing after numerous shootings, police groups hope the law can at least be revisited.
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Criminal Justice
Investigators Identify Inmate Suspected in Prison Guard’s Death
Inmate Dillion Gage Compton, 21, who worked in the prison’s kitchen area, attacked and killed correctional officer Mari Johnson, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice alleged in a statement Monday.