OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR MARK WHITE STATE CAPITOL GOVERNOR AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711 August 22, 1986 Dear Lt. Go nor Hobby: n recent months, the Texas Department of Corrections has experienced unprecedented increases in prison admissions. During FY 1986, there have been 27,609 convicted felons admitted to TDC, a 20% increase over FY 1985. Between May and July of this year, nearly 8,500 prisoners were received at TDC. This upsurge in convictions and admissions, as well as recent reports on the Texas crime rate, are further evidence of the problems associated with the state's current economic conditions. When the 69th Legislature was meeting in regular session in 1985, no one projected that oil prices would drop to below $15, nor did anyone project that prison admissions would reach the level TDC has experienced in the past few months. The dramatic increases in prison admissions constitute an emergency situation that requires our immediate attention. Therefore, I am asking you to work with me to increase prison capacity as soon as possible. I urge you to consider all available alternatives including public construction, privatization, and the use of available state facilities. To the extent possible, the $33.7 million saved by the Department through efforts undertaken in response to my Executive Order MW-36 should be used for additional prison housing. At the same time, we must continue the progress we have made in meeting existing federal court orders. I recommend that the Texas Department of Corrections be given any additional budgetary flexibility necessary in order to accomplish these objectives. Our state prison system must have adequate capacity if we are to provide a certainty of apprehension, conviction, and punishment when a crime is committed. I pledge my support and assistance in this regard. Your truly, Mark White Governor of Texas The Honorable William F. Hobby Lieutenant Governor of Texas State Capitol Austin, Texas 78701 MW:ss cc: Senator Grant Jones Senator Ray Farabee