Texas Youth Commission to consolidate Mart facility - kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and Killeen

Several hundred jobs were saved today in Mart after the board of the Texas Youth Commission changed their original plans to close their facility in Mart.

The board's original agenda had the McLennan State Juvenile Correction Facility Units I and II to be closed.

By the end of the meeting a decision was reached to consolidate Facility Unit I and II into one facility. 

The board has announced that they will close three of its ten institutions by August 31, 2011, following direction from the Texas Legislature.

Those facilities to be closed are the Al Price State Juvenile Correctional Facility in Beaumont, the Crockett State School in Crockett and the Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex Unit II in Brownwood.

The decision to close these facilities affects the placement of approximately 400 youth and 700 staff at those facilities.

"This is an extremely difficult decision because each of our facilities, including dedicated staff and community volunteers, does an excellent job of rehabilitating youth," said TYC board chairman Scott Fisher of Bedford. "Various factors require that these changes be made, and we will work to ensure these transitions are as seamless as possible in order to continue ensuring public safety and positive outcomes for the youth in our system."

The TYC board cited the agency's budget reduction of $116.9 million for the next biennium, along with a significantly reduced youth population, as key factors in the decision to close the facilities.

An additional 50 positions in the agency's central office, and 73 positions in the regional and parole offices will also be eliminated.

The TYC board's decisions were based on detailed and lengthy reviews of key indicators relating to the expected need for future youth services and anticipated funding.

The transfers of youth from facilities scheduled for closure will begin this month and be completed by the end of July.

Staff at the affected facilities will be given opportunities to transfer to similar positions at other TYC facilities where job vacancies exist.