Published February 10, 2012

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas prison board is meeting in Austin on Friday, and the sticky topic of inmate health care coverage likely up for discussion.

The Department of Criminal Justice and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston have been negotiating to extend the school's contract with the prison system through the next fiscal year. UTMB provides health care to about 80 percent of the state's more than 150,000 inmates but insists it's losing money on the deal and won't use school resources to cover the shortfall.

Prison system Executive Director Brad Livingston says the agency is working with the health-care provider, lawmakers and the governor's office to ensure inmate health care for 2013 and beyond. However, he says the agency will be prepared if a transition of services is needed.

Texas Prison Board Hears About Inmate Health Care

FEBRUARY 03, 2012

TDCJ Board Chair: Future Prison Closures Possible

Reader Texas Maverick emails to point out this passage from the Board Minutes (pdf) of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's August 2011 meeting:

Chairman [Oliver] Bell commented that the closure of the Central Unit has been a positive story and stated he was pleased the current trends have allowed the board and the TDCJ to be able to close a unit. The Central Unit has been studied for closure for the last six to eight years. Crime rates are down and offender populations are relatively flat. If the trends continue, Chairman Bell stated it might be possible more prisons could close in the future.

TDCJ executive director Brad Livinsgston told the board that "the closure of the Central Unit is a success story that the TDCJ can tout." I'm glad that's the board's perception. Given the budget situation, they'll need more of the same in 2013 to avoid prison costs spurring significant tax hikes.

POSTED BY GRITSFORBREAKFAST