/tags/tdcj TDCJ en-US Copyright Fri, 03 May 2024 19:37:14 GMT /texas-news/2024-05-03/doj-sues-texas-department-of-criminal-justice-for-alleged-religious-discrimination The U.S. Justice Department lawsuit alleges that the Texas Department of Criminal Justice unfairly terminated an employee over her adherence to an African religion that is also practiced in the United States. Fri, 03 May 2024 19:37:14 GMT /texas-news/2024-05-03/doj-sues-texas-department-of-criminal-justice-for-alleged-religious-discrimination Julián Aguilar | The Texas Newsroom /news/2023-07-14/texas-prisons-to-phase-out-physical-mail-to-reduce-contraband-despite-advocate-protests Advocacy groups say physical mail is an important part of contact between those behind bars and the outside world. Fri, 14 Jul 2023 19:51:36 GMT /news/2023-07-14/texas-prisons-to-phase-out-physical-mail-to-reduce-contraband-despite-advocate-protests Sarah Asch | Texas Standard /criminal-justice/2023-06-15/texas-prison-officials-change-strange-policy-that-kept-some-women-in-solitary-in-gowns Prison researchers were shocked to learn that women were issued a thick white gown instead of the two-piece uniform that men are issued. Now, inmates said they are receiving those two-piece uniforms too. Thu, 15 Jun 2023 16:46:01 GMT /criminal-justice/2023-06-15/texas-prison-officials-change-strange-policy-that-kept-some-women-in-solitary-in-gowns Paul Flahive /criminal-justice/2023-01-26/texas-death-row-inmates-sue-state-over-solitary-confinement The lawsuit filed Thursday wants to end the practice of automatically holding death row inmates in solitary confinement. Thu, 26 Jan 2023 23:59:18 GMT /criminal-justice/2023-01-26/texas-death-row-inmates-sue-state-over-solitary-confinement Paul Flahive /texas-news/2023-01-09/texas-prisoners-launching-hunger-strike-to-protest-states-harsh-solitary-confinement-practices Hundreds of prisoners may participate in the protest beginning Tuesday, the first day of the state’s legislative session. Texas often keeps prisoners in solitary confinement for years or decades. Mon, 09 Jan 2023 21:00:00 GMT /texas-news/2023-01-09/texas-prisoners-launching-hunger-strike-to-protest-states-harsh-solitary-confinement-practices Jolie McCullough | The Texas Tribune /texas-news/2022-08-24/its-a-living-hell-scorching-heat-in-texas-prisons-revives-air-conditioning-debate Texas heat has killed prisoners and cost the state millions in wrongful death and civil rights lawsuits. Prison rights advocates hope a budget surplus next year will finally push lawmakers to invest in air conditioning. Wed, 24 Aug 2022 14:53:15 GMT /texas-news/2022-08-24/its-a-living-hell-scorching-heat-in-texas-prisons-revives-air-conditioning-debate Jolie McCullough | The Texas Tribune /2017-09-22/texas-ends-solitary-confinement-as-punishment-but-still-keeps-thousands-alone-in-cells Texas phased out the use of solitary confinement as punishment for prisoners this month, but it still plans to keep thousands alone in cells. Texas... Fri, 22 Sep 2017 17:25:50 GMT /2017-09-22/texas-ends-solitary-confinement-as-punishment-but-still-keeps-thousands-alone-in-cells Trey Shaar /texas-news/2016-02-17/as-texas-prisons-populations-turn-old-and-gray-the-costs-become-weighty-even-deadly Five stories that have North Texas talking: State prisons are swelling with older, illness-prone inmates; The Pope will be visible from the El Paso border… Wed, 17 Feb 2016 13:35:00 GMT /texas-news/2016-02-17/as-texas-prisons-populations-turn-old-and-gray-the-costs-become-weighty-even-deadly Molly Evans