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Posted on · On Thursday's Houston Matters: We discuss a lawsuit over bail reform in Harris County. We learn how children are affected when their parents are incarcerated. A historian explains how migration to Houston before World War II changed notions of race here. And a witness to the 1947 Texas City disaster shares his story.
Posted on · The Texas Legislature is considering a bill that would keep many poor people out of jail while awaiting trial. But it could make a victim out of the bail bonds industry.
Posted on · A major effort to overhaul the bail system in Texas was rolled out Thursday, and the reforms have some powerful backers.
Posted on · Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez says he’s still assessing all the factors and possible fallout involved in potentially ending the county’s cooperation with the controversial 287(g) program. The program allows local law enforcement to transfer inmates with criminal records who are undocumented immigrants over to federal authorities. Gonzalez campaigned on ending the program, and critics […]
Posted on · Last Thursday (Aug. 18, 2016) the initial hearing on a lawsuit filed against Harris County over its bail system took place in U.S. District Court. The lawsuit alleges the county's bail system is unconstitutional because it jails poor offenders for minor offenses who can’t make even small bail payments. Bail bondsmen, as you might imagine, […]
Posted on · We continue our exploration of criminal justice in Harris County with the help of two guests: District Attorney Devon Anderson and Chief Public Defender Alex Bunin. First, Edel Howlin asks Bunin about some of the changes he’d like to see in our criminal justice system. Then, we welcome DA Anderson in studio to share her […]
Posted on · We explore recent calls for comprehensive bail reform. Some argue judges under the current system are contributing to overcrowded jails by setting bonds too high, leaving defendants accused of low-level crimes who may pose no flight risk or threat to society imprisoned, simply because they can’t afford to post bail. We talk it over with […]