• Mike Forman •
• Originally published January 19, 2009 at 9:43 p.m., updated January 19, 2009 at 9:43 p.m.

What the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission proposes for the Texas Youth Commission and the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission may be akin to disbanding kindergarten and 12th-grade high school, then consolidating the two. Not a good mix.

What the Sunset Commission is proposing is doing away with the TYC and TJPC, then creating a Texas Juvenile Justice Department that would handle the missions of both entities. Although both entities would remain in some form, they would fall under a new board of commissioners.

First, the TYC is a state-run organization operating incarceration units for serious juvenile offenders across the state. The entity has had serious problems in the past with its educational program for juveniles, and it had thrown murderers with vandals before attempts to correct its problems. The 2007 legislation - Senate Bill 103 - is still in the works to address the problems and is reportedly working, according to ombudsman Will Harrell, who visits TYC units at least once a quarter to see improvements, but the 2007 legislation won't be given a chance to work if the consolidation is approved. Harrell said he is against consolidation for that reason and others.

On the other hand, the TJPC also is a state entity, but it mainly falls under local control. The TJPC is against the consolidation, and states on its Web site, "TJPC and TYC should remain separate, independent agencies. Thus, TJPC disagrees with this recommendation to create a new board for the new state agency. TJPC believes the current governing board structure for TJPC is effective and should remain as an independent board for TJPC."

We agree that the Juvenile Probation Commission is an effective entity and should be left alone.

And we have a governing division. While state Rep. Glenn Hegar, R-Katy, is in favor of consolidating the two entities, Victoria County County-at-Law Judge Laura Weiser and Victoria County Chief Juvenile Probation Office Pama Hencerling don't favor the idea. They are not alone; many local TJPC affiliated personnel fall in ranks with them.

"They are not broke. Don't fix them," Weiser said.

Locally, rehabilitation programs, including substance abuse and counseling program,s may be in jeopardy when funds turn to incarceration under a new commission. Victoria County, currently, is fully responsible for the 72-bed detention center at the Victoria Regional Airport although the state provides 71 percent of probation's budget. But consolidation would mean that the emerging juvenile department would be responsible for incarceration.

We think the record speaks for itself. The TJPC is an effective entity with plenty of statistics to show its success. Why would the state want to taint such an organization with one - the TYC - that has numerous problems.

We say leave the TJPC as it is, and let 2007 legislation work on the TYC.

This editorial reflects the views of the Victoria Advocate's editorial board.

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