Juvenile justice in Texas is ready for a paradigm shift towards a balanced system that truly helps troubled youth succeed while protecting public safety. In early 2007, a sexual abuse scandal revealed that the state juvenile correctional system, the Texas Youth Commission (TYC), was in a state of collapse. Scrutiny of TYC by the media, state lawmakers, and the federal government revealed violent conditions of confinement, a lack of mental health care, inadequate staffing, poor-quality rehabilitative programs, and unethical practices. In response to this crisis, state leaders launched a number of reform efforts -- including an immediate change in agency leadership and omnibus reform legislation (Senate Bill 103) -- with unanimous bipartisan support. The current TYC leadership has taken positive steps towards meaningful, long-term reform, but needs continued support from state policymakers in order to actualize the vision of a successful, stable juvenile justice system.

Though TYC has recently had the most media coverage, it is only one part of the juvenile justice system. Far more delinquent youth are involved with county-level juvenile probation departments than in TYC. When changes are made to TYC the impact ripples down to the county level and affects juvenile probation departments all over the state. The 2009 Texas Legislature will have the chance to build on reforms passed in 2007 and transform the whole spectrum of the Texas juvenile justice system into one that keeps communities safe through delinquency prevention and the successful rehabilitation of the youth in its care.