Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has announced a $4.7 million initiative aimed at offering assistance to incarcerated women housed at the Women’s Center Jail in the county. The Harris County Commissioners Court has given its approval for the allocated funding, which amounts to $4.7 million, to be utilized for crucial services such as mental health support, trauma counseling, and vocational and educational training. These resources will be drawn from the distribution of funds from the federal government’s American Rescue Plan Act to Harris County, Chron News reported.
$4.7 Million Plan From Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo
The goal of these expanded programs is to help women successfully reenter society, reduce recidivism, and break the cycle of incarceration, as stated in a news release from Harris County Judge Hidalgo’s office. The timing of this announcement is significant, given the alarming increase in fatalities at Harris County Jail since the start of 2023.
This has resulted in ongoing investigations by both state and federal authorities into the recent deaths in the jail and has also led to protests from families of the victims at the Texas State Capitol.
Hidalgo’s plan for expanded services for women detainees follows another recent initiative by Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, who presented a $6.8 million plan to address the substandard conditions within Texas’ largest county jail system.
Sheriff Gonzalez’s plan, which was approved by the commissioners, aims to address the issues documented by state inspectors during a walk-through in February, as Harris County Jail failed to meet minimum standards in several areas.
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Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo’s Press Conference on Tuesday
Harris County Judge Hidalgo will hold a press conference on Tuesday to provide further details about the planned programming, signaling her commitment to improving the conditions and services for incarcerated women in Harris County.
With these investments in mental health, counseling, and education, Harris County Judge Hidalgo and Sheriff Gonzalez are taking important steps towards creating a more rehabilitative and supportive environment within the county’s correctional facilities, with the hope of reducing recidivism rates and promoting successful reentry into society for incarcerated individuals.
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