TALES...BEHIND THE BARS

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Jun 19, 2001

TALES FROM THE WEST TEXAS DUST 6/19/2001

"BEHIND THE BARS" SPECIAL REPORT: 8TH ANNUAL RESTORATIVE JUSTICE MINISTRIES CONFERENCE (PART III)

[LIVE, ON-SCENE REPORT!!] AUSTIN (Special)--We're back once again with more from the recent RJM Conference held here...and again, we thought we'd let you in on some more current news happening within TDCJ and within various restorative justice ministries throughout the state:

June Groom from TDCJ says that men aren't the only ones impacted by the restorative justice ministry concept. In fact, it seems that women offenders are faring even better than the men within the TDCJ system. "I want you to know that in TDCJ, we're getting there," Groom proudly announced to RJM attendees to the delights, laughs, and cheers of the audience. "And we appreciate everything you do to help us."

What's the proof that gives Ms. Groom so much confidence? How about 8% recidivism for starters in one unit? Hard to believe, you say? Groom would desire to prove you wrong by pointing out that it is right now the same exact rate that is found right now at the Hilltop Unit. In a jestful dig at the Innerchange program after talking about the Hilltop rate, Groom quipped, "Sorry, Innerchange--we beat you. If you would have chosen women instead of men..."-- which caused uproarious good-natured ribbing and laughter amongst the attendees present.

Seriously, though, Groom also noted to attendees that Hilltop now has some interesting programs that are now making a difference in the recidivism rate amongst women offenders-- which include:

"Women For Sobriety" groups
Sexual abuse survivor groups
Parenting programs (conducted in conjunction with the Buckner's Benevolence Program of the Texas Baptist Men)
A female youthful offenders program for young girls ages 14 to 17
Sex offender treatment program

But all of this did not come easy for Groom and her staff. Groom said about the female youthful offenders at Hilltop, "...And let me tell you--we never had a staff for the women. But we had a complete staff for the young boys at the Clemens Unit. That didn't make a lot of sense to me. So [TDCJ] gave me oversight of substance abuse--and I stole some positions from substance abuse. You can do that in state government-- you know, move one to another--they don't know,"--which brought on more laughs from the assembled. And that was how Groom found a way to staff the female youthful offender program on that unit--which, among others currently housed at Hilltop, the young ladies who were involved in a recent crime spree in Kingwood.

Groom's ultimate hope, though, is that more can be done in particular to assist female offenders. "We just want more of

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