Spread the word to families: here is a summer camp that is a wonderful opportunity for children and is free, including transportation to and from the conference center. Promise Camp is similar to Camp Good News in Navasota, but is held at the Quarterman Ranch Conference Center in Amarillo, July 12 - 16.

They will have a chartered bus that will stop in San Angelo, Big Spring, and Lubbock. They will make arrangements for children from the Midland, Abilene & Amarillo areas.

Check out their web site: www.promisecamp.org
Or you can contact Katy Hoskins, director, Promise CampRead more

An Abilene woman steps up and speaks out in this remarkable video clip at a gathering to protest conditions in the Taylor County Jail.

From The Lance Reports:

Lisa Mijares claims to have given birth to her son three years ago in the Taylor County Jail in Abilene, TX. After allerting correctional staff that she was in labor, her request for help was reportedly ignored.Read more

Leaders of the Texas Jail Project on Tuesday delivered a harsh indictment of the Taylor County Jail, including a mock "Texas Hellhole Award."

The organization announced the designation at a news conference and rally at the war memorial north of the Taylor County Courthouse that attracted roughly two dozen people.Read more

At the Taylor County Jail in Abilene, some inmates say they've been strapped to chairs and left outside all day in the sun or rain.

Others say guards sometimes sprayed pepper spray directly into their eyes. Another staffer allegedly asked a mentally ill inmate: "Why don't you do something positive and hang yourself?"

The allegations, some among 200 pages of complaints filed with a state agency, are alarming even in a state with a "hang 'em high" mentality, according to the Texas Jail Project. The group rallied Wednesday in Abilene to decry inmate mistreatment, saying reform is still needed nearly 2 years after the U.S. Justice Department lambasted the Dallas County Jail for serious lapses resulting in deaths.Read more

The TEXAS HELLHOLE AWARD was presented, October 15:

"In Sad Recognition of the TAYLOR COUNTY JAIL

.....which fails to provide a safe and humane environment for the fathers, mothers, wives, husbands, sons and daughters of Abilene who are incarcerated there."

Awarded by Diane Wilson and Diana Claitor co-founders of the Texas Jail Project Read more

Since Mr. Voorhees wrote this letter last year, two young inmates have died in custody in this same jail just hours after being arrested, and he suspects ill treatment in those cases as well. Here he carefully documents the reports of brutal physical attacks, pepper spray and other illegal actions against Abilene inmates. -Diana Claitor

September 8, 2006
Dear Mr. Attorney General:Read more