Rep. Talarico Demands Abbott Call Special Session to Stop Abuse in Juvenile Prisons

Austin – Yesterday, the Texas Tribune reported that staffing shortages in Texas juvenile justice facilities has led to nearly 600 children being trapped in windowless prison cells for up to 23 hours a day, forced to pee in water bottles to survive.

Governor Abbott pulled funding from these facilities to pay for his scandal-plagued “Operation Lonestar” at the border.

In response to this shocking report, Rep. James Talarico (D)  demanded Governor Abbott call a special legislative session to stop the abuse of children in juvenile prisons. Talarico sits on the House Juvenile Justice and Family Issues Committee that oversees the state’s juvenile justice system.

Rep. Talarico stated:

“Greg Abbott took money from juvenile justice facilities to fund his border stunts. Now children are locked in windowless cells for 23 hours a day and peeing in water bottles,” said Talarico. “I’m demanding Greg Abbott call a special session immediately to protect these kids and fix this broken system. Texas needs a governor, not a stuntman.