juvenile justice

The lockdown occurred after an "exceptionally brutal" assault against a correctional staffer, according to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.

Texas home insurance costs are skyrocketing and becoming a barrier for housing affordability. Rising insurance costs disproportionately burden low- and moderate-income families, erode homeownership stability and weaken communities. And how the Texas Juvenile Justice Department’s five state secure facilities continue to fall short.

After an extensive investigation of conditions for children in five juvenile detention facilities operated by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD), the US Department of Justice finds that there is reasonable cause to believe that TJJD is violating the constitutional rights of the children in their care.

The U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday said an expansive investigation into the Texas Juvenile Justice Department found widespread instances of systemic physical and mental abuse and violations of children’s civil and constitutional rights.

The state Sunset Commission reviews remedies and is expected to chart a course for the beleaguered agency while families and former inmates question its value and what has changed from a decade ago.

In an email last week, interim director Shandra Carter described the move as having "no other option."

Sunset Advisory commission met to discuss the fate of the system that the interim director said was "collapsing."

Texas took $30 million from Texas Juvenile Justice — a problem plagued department that has repeatedly failed to protect kids from abuse and, at times, is the abuser.

Camille Cain departed the beleaguered agency after four years and mixed results at reforming the agency which is now under federal investigation.

The Department of Justice is investigating accusations of widespread abuse from staff at the state's youth lockups.