TYC Cancels Eagle Lake Contract
Contact:
Jim Hurley, Director of Public Affairs
(512) 424-6016/ jim.hurley@tyc.state.tx.us
Tim Savoy, Communication Director
(512) 424-6005/ tim.savoy@tyc.state.tx.us
October 23, 2008
AUSTIN – The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) terminated its contract Thursday with Youth Services International (YSI) to operate a 119-bed youth correctional facility in Eagle Lake, Texas. This action followed a meeting Thursday morning between TYC and YSI representatives in which both parties agreed canceling the contract is justified.
TYC Executive Commissioner Cherie Townsend said the agency has asked YSI to provide a complete accounting of all TYC funds spent thus far. The 18 youth who were moved to the facility October17, 2008, are being moved to other TYC facilities.
“TYC is evaluating its youth population, future trends, and future needs,” Townsend said. “The agency is committed to moving youth closer to their homes and increasing family involvement in their rehabilitation. At the same time, we must fully utilize our existing resources and develop a fiscally responsible plan that acknowledges our changing youth population.”
Townsend recently ordered a review of all TYC youth-care contracts to ensure they are serving the needs of TYC youth and are appropriate uses of taxpayer dollars.
TYC’s institutional population has declined from a high of more than 5,000 youth in recent years to its current population of just over 2,000. Townsend is currently working on a system-wide reorganization of the agency, including personnel and facilities, to “right size” the agency and its resources. It is expected that the results of the reorganization will be announced in December.