TYC Scandal: Jay Kimbrough’s 56 Thesis

[Sorry...we could not resist the Martin Luther reference this morning...]

A 35-page report released by TYC Conservator Jay Kimbrough to Governor Perry and other state leaders includes 56 separate reccomendations concerning the troubled youth incarceration system.

Sadly, not one of them encourages the governor’s office to be more competent the next time staff discovers kids are being raped with state tax dollars.

From the DMN:

The report says the “chief culprit” behind TYC problems was the agency’s structure, which left too much power concentrated in the hands of officials at 22 outlying facilities.

“The lack of a strong, centralized management structure allowed leaders at individual facilities to override agency policies, control hiring and wield tremendous influence over the complaint process,” the report says.

Two top administrators of the West Texas State School, a TYC facility in Pyote, were indicted recently on charges of sexual abuse of inmates there.

Kimbrough, a former Perry aide, recommended 56 ways to restore the agency’s credibility, saying many of his recommendations have been implemented since the scandal broke in February. Among the recommendations given highest priority by Kimbrough are proposals to strengthen background checks for TYC staff, releasing juveniles jailed for misdemeanors, and creating a panel to consider modifying the juvenile sentencing process.

*Sigh.* Good recommendations, but still, you would expect that the panel would have recommended that high-level state leaders do something the next time their offices realize such a scandal is in play. Of course, when you appoint your own personal Cover Your Ass Monster to be in charge of issuing reccomendations, I guess you should expect to get such a pass.

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