Smart, Affordable and Fair: Billy Hamilton Testifies About the Medicaid Extension in House Appropriations

Time: March 7, 2013 -- 6-7PM

Location: Dawson State Jail, 106 West Commerce St., 75208 Downtown Dallas

A coalition of groups representing criminal justice, civil liberties, policy, and faith organizations will gather across the street from Dawson State Jail, a private for-profit prison, on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at 6:00 PM.  The vigil is being held to honor the women who have died while incarcerated there, as well as the death of a four day old baby born inside the facility with no medical personnel on site, and to call on legislators to close the facility.

What happens when kids break the law?

In Texas, thousands of young people aged 10 thru 16 are processed through the juvenile justice system every year. In 2011, the Texas Legislature made significant changes to the system designed to keep more youthful offenders in their local communities.

The new law means local faith leaders have new opportunities to support and guide youthful offenders and their families--and it starts with understanding the system.