Texas Governor Orders Probe Into ‘Potentially Illegal Behavior’ at Juvenile Justice Department

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference in San Antonio, Texas, on June 17, 2021. Marina Fatina/NTD

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on July 12 ordered the Texas Rangers to investigate allegations that certain Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) employees had engaged in illegal conduct.

Abbott addressed the request in a July 12 letter (pdf) to Steven McCraw, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety. According to the letter, the Office of the Inspector General of TJJD and department ombudsmen have reported for prosecution multiple allegations against “certain TJJD staff members.”