House Bill 864 - Criminal Penalties for Certain Contraband

This bill allows criminal penalties for the possession of certain contraband by inmates or providing certain contraband to inmates. The contraband includes: weapons, money cell phones, and tobacco.

House Bill 1180 - Changes in Shock Probation

This bill allows judges to extend the time of shock probation in TDCJ boot camps from 75-90days to 75-180 days.

House Bill 1670 - Medically Recommended Intensive Supervision (MRIS)

This bill extends MRIS to all offenders, except sex offenders and those on death row. Those offenders who are "3g", however, can only be considered if terminally ill or in need of long-term care. The bill also provides for the release of non-citizen offenders in INS authorities for deportation as long as the offense is neither as sex offense nor is the offender on death row.

House Bill 2445 - Reviews of Various TDCJ Bureaus

This bill resets the Sunset date for the Correctional Managed Health Care Committee from 2005 to 2011, which coincides with the next TDCJ Sunset date. The bill requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to conduct special purpose review of Windham School District before the next legislative session, focusing on Windham's structure, management and operation. The TEA will report its finding to Sunset Commission, which will make recommendations in the 2005 legislative session.

House Bill 2525 - Amendments to Assault Offenses

This bill increases assault causing bodily injury to a third-degree felony when the victim is an employee of a private prison. This is the same penalty for striking a public prison employee.

House Bill 2668 - Probation for Petty Drug Offenses

This bill requires mandatory community supervision for fourth-degree felony drug offenses, unless the offender has a previous felony conviction.

Senate Bill 871 - Changes in Sex Offender Registration

This bill makes several changes in the sex offender registration process: requires that the DPS determine which law enforcement authority is the primary registration authority, limits newspaper publication of sex offender notices, requires notification to superintendent or any school administrator and makes technical changes to the process of civil commitment.

Senate Bill 1948 - Release on Bond from Prison

This bill allows for the release on bond from prison for non-death row applicants seeking relief from a judgment where the court has entered findings and conclusions agreed to by the state and the defendant. This bill was tailored in response to the Tulia drug convictions.

The ECHO is a monthly censored publication compiled by inmate staff at the Windham School District's Media Center, under TDCJ guidelines for dedicated use by TDCJ offenders. Subscriptions to the Echo can be purchased for $12 (US subscription), or $15 (Outside the US.) Money orders or personal checks must be made out to the Echo/WSD. Correspondence via U.S. Mail must be addressed to the Echo, P.O. Box 40, Huntsville, TX 77342-0040. Offenders can write The Echo by truck mail ISSN 1530 - 7298. The Echo has been published for 71 years since 1928. Management includes Mike Merrow - Superintendent Leigh-Anne Gideon - Associate Publisher of Windham School District. Faith Anderson - Educational Researcher, Offender Clifford Barnes - Staff Writer.

Brief Summary of Legislative Bills for 2007 will be coming soon...