OFFICE OF GOVERNOR WILLIAM P. CLEMENTS JR. August 3, 1982 For Immediate Release: The Blue Ribbon Commission on Criminal Justice will hold a public hearing in Atztin August 11 to receive testimony on critical issues confronting the criminal justice system. Testimony will be taken on any subject relevant to the work and recommendations of the Commission. The hearing will begin at 1 p.m. at the Hyatt-Regency Hotel. Commission Chairman is Bruce Lipshy, President of Zale Corporation, of Dallas; and Vice Chairman is State Representative Bob McFarland of Arlington. Governor William P. Clements Jr. named the Commission, assigning it to study the immediate crisis facing the overcrowded Texas orison system and to engage in long-range planninn for the Texas Criminal Justice System as a whole. The Commission is composed of Texas citizens who combine legal, law enforcement, education, legislative and business experience and skills. Specific areas of interest are Laws and Courts, Prison Facilities and Inmate Programs, Probation and Parole, System Linkages and Release programs. At this stage in its deliberations, the Commission is gathering as much information as possible about the criminal justice system in Texas. Oral testimony August 11 will be limited to 10 minutes. Those who want to testify must submit written remarks to the Commission staff by 5 p.m. August 6. Supplemental material also may be submitted. Written material may be submitted by those who do not care to testify at the hearing. Material should be sent to the Blue Ribbon Commission on Criminal Justice,Governor's Budget and Planning Office, P.O. Box 13561, Austin, Texas, 78711, or delivered to the 7th floor of the Sam Houston Building at 14th and San Jacinto no later than 5 p.n. , August 6.