SO SUE US

Pressured to call a special session to address the crisis in prison
guard pay, training, and retention, Governor Bush announced a
compromise plan last month. Bush, with Lieutenant Governor Rick Perry
and House Speaker Pete Laney, agreed to an emergency pay raise for
correctional officers. AFSCME, which represents most C.O.s in the
state is claiming victory, but the raise (up to $1,656 per year,
depending on experience) still leaves Texas officers about $6,000
short of the national average of $34,000 a year. It's not likely to
placate the veteran officers for long. Legislators have promised that
raising officer pay will be high on the agenda next session, though
they have begun hinting at another round of prison construction in
Texas, so officers may be competing with beds for funding.

Here's one compelling argument for a pay raise union reps might bring
to the table: staffing the units with responsible, well-trained,
well-paid employees, as well as with experienced supervisors, means
fewer lawsuits against the agency. Inmate suits against the agency
seldom get far, regardless of their merit. But according to documents
obtained by the Observer, suits by employees are costing the agency a
bundle. In 1999 alone, the agency paid out $380,000 to current and
former employees to settle allegations of sexual harassment,
retaliation, discrimination, and improper firings. Those are just the
cases that have been settled; dozens more are still pending. Ten
lawsuits have been filed since September 1 of last year. Of course
the bean counters might say T.D.C.J.'s legal bills are minor compared
to the cost of properly funding the agency.

More substantial cost-cutting measures, like ending the drug war, are
not expected to be on the table next session.