“The Sunset Advisory Commission’s staff recommendations would create a Texas juvenile justice system that produces better results for youths, crime victims, and taxpayers.
“Having juvenile probation and juvenile corrections under separate funding streams has not served Texans well. Merging those funding streams will incentivize counties to rely on local, community-based programs that are more effective and less costly than the Texas Youth Commission for nonviolent offenders.
“Additionally, the Commission’s report wisely calls for fewer large institutions and more residential programs located closer to youth and their families. Both of these changes were suggested in our most recent paper on juvenile justice, which was cited in the Commission’s report.
“We commend the Sunset Advisory Commission for issuing a bold and compelling report, and we will work with policymakers by providing research and ideas on how to better improve the system for the benefit of all Texans.”
Marc Levin is Director of the Center for Effective Justice at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a non-profit, free-market research institute based in Austin.
The Texas Public Policy Foundation is a non-profit, free-market research institute based in Austin, Texas. More information can be found on the Foundation’s website, www.TexasPolicy.com.
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