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Texas Board of Criminal Justice adopts 2,084‑bed capacity increase after agency review and approvals
Summary
The board adopted amendments increasing TDCJ—s authorized capacity by 2,084 beds, a change TDCJ said had been reviewed and approved by the governor and attorney general and follows statutory procedures for capacity increases.
The Texas Board of Criminal Justice voted Dec. 13 to adopt amendments to sections 152.21 through 152.27 of the Texas Administrative Code that increase correctional capacity by 2,084 beds.
Agency counsel presented the change as a forecasted capacity adjustment to meet projected growth. "The primary change to this series is the increase of capacity by 2,084 beds," General Counsel Stephanie Greger told the board. She said divisions within the agency had presented findings that the increase was necessary and achievable while upholding operational standards, and that the governor and attorney general had reviewed and approved the recommendation.
TDCJ staff said notices had been posted at affected units and that no inmate comments were received during the posting period; the agency also described a single civilian comment expressing concern that at one unit (the Stiles unit) some inmates could lose single occupancy cells and that mental‑health considerations should be protected. Greger said existing protocols remain in place to protect inmates who require single cells for medical or behavioral reasons.
The board voted to adopt the amendments and authorized the chairman to sign the order to effect the change. Trustee Tom Fordyce moved the adoption and Vice Chair Faith Johnson seconded.
Why it matters: The capacity increase becomes part of the agency—s authorized bed counts and is the product of a statutory process that required internal studies and external review. TDCJ said the change is required to match projected population growth and that approval steps under the Texas Government Code were met.
TDCJ staff indicated the change is not intended to force operational changes like involuntary bunking of inmates with behavioral health needs; agency staff committed that existing clinical, classification and protection protocols would continue to guide housing decisions.
