Mentally ill juvenile offenders set free due to loophole

2009-12-22 00:56:28 (GMT) (WiredPRNews.com - Law, News)

Many have expressed concerns over a Texas law, which allows some mentally ill juvenile offenders to go free.

A provision of Texas law regarding juvenile offenders allows some with mental illnesses to be set free.

Texas (WiredPRNews.com) – Many are expressing concern over provisions of Texas law that allows juvenile offenders with mental illnesses to be set free when detention centers cannot provide them with adequate medical treatment. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), over 200 offenders that have been assigned to the Texas Youth Commission were released in the past five years due to a 1997 law designed to prevent youth offenders from being denied proper medical treatment while incarcerated.

As noted by the AP, those who have been given indeterminate sentences, but have served a minimum requirement may be released to their parents’ custody, but there are no measures in place to ensure they receive adequate supervision. Some are calling for legislative changes for protection of the juveniles and the public.

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