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Justice solutions proffered at TPPF orientation

This morning I attended the criminal justice policy orientation for legislators and staff put on by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, emceed by TPPF's Marc Levin and including Rep. Jerry Madden, Sen. John Whitmire, Harris County DA Pat Lykos, and Adam Gelb of the Pew Center on the States. Here are a few highlights from my notes.During the introductions, Levin observed that even though Texas' incarceration rate has declined in recent years, the crime rate currently is at its lowest per capita levels since 1973. He also made the case, which will be familiar to Grits readers, that Texas' depopulation of youth prisons provides a good model for the types of policies that might reduce adult corrections costs.Madden spoke first. He said he views budget restraints in criminal justice as an opportunity rather than a crisis because reducing expenses was a project in which the Leg was already engaged...continue to full post

Full post as published by Grits for Breakfast on January 13, 2011 (boomark / email).