New National Study Shows Texas Correctional Officers are behind on Training

Austin -  A new national study on correctional officer training released by AFSCME Texas Correctional Employees during testimony before the Texas Legislature and Governor's Budget Board Tuesday revealing Texas is behind the national curve when it comes to training their correctional officers. 

 

During testimony in Austin, Lance Lowry, President of the Huntsville Local testified the national average for correctional officer pre-service training is 273 hour, while Texas Department of Criminal Justice pre-service training is only 200 hours. 

 

The correctional employees union recommended the state increase pay compensation that would allow the agency to reduce officer turnover rates and focus training needs on producing quality correctional officers that exemplify training levels nationally, instead of quantity. 

 

See State by State data

Copy of Testimony by AFSCME Texas Correctional Employees

Huntsville Rumored Escape Was Just a Rumor

 

September 4, 2014

By Staff Reporter

Huntsville, Texas - A large law enforcement presence was observed on the north side of Huntsville yesterday afternoon.  There were several rumors that an escape had occurred from one the Huntsville area prisons, but that turned out not to be the case.

Yesterday afternoon the Huntsville Police assisted by several other law enforcement agencies conducted a search of the area of FM 980 near the city limits after a silver 2005 Toyota Highlander with paper plates was discovered stuck in the ditch.  The backseat of the vehicle contained a large amount of blood. 

The Huntsville Police issued a code red alert for Rukayat Momodu, a black female, 5'06 tall, 170 lbs, approximately 30 years of age, and of Nigerian decent.  Police a also searching for William English, black male, 6'03 tall, 180 lbs, and approximately 35 years of age. 

The Huntsville Police Department in a statement released yesterday stated they wished to check the welfare of Rukayat Momodu and William English to ensure their safety. Anyone who has information on Momodu and/or English, please contact the Huntsville Police Department at 936-291-5480 or the Huntsville Dispatch Center at 936-435-8001.