Texas Advisory Committee Releases Interim Memorandum on Mental Health Care in the Juvenile Justice System

On October 17, 2022, the Texas Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Committee) issued an Interim Memorandum on mental health care in the juvenile justice system.

The Memorandum results from the testimony provided during in-person panels in Houston, Texas in August 2022. The Memorandum identifies concerns as they emerged from the testimony and conveys the Committee’s recommendations that the Texas government expeditiously identify and address the issues within the system.

Committee Chair Merrill Matthews stated, “It is extremely important that the Texas Juvenile Justice system treats the children in its facilities equitably and appropriately, meeting their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs. Recent news stories have raised questions and concerns that the system is failing its mission. The Texas Advisory Committee hopes to identify some of those problems and provide helpful recommendations to address them in a timely manner.”