AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Gov. Greg Abbott has named a new chairman to oversee the board of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department in an effort to overhaul the agency after the latest abuse scandal involving youth in state lockup.
The Dallas Morning News reports that Judge Wesley Ritchey of Dallam County will replace chairman Scott Fisher on the department’s board. Fisher’s term was scheduled to expire in February 2019, but he said Friday he’d step down early after consulting with Abbott.
The announcement comes as the struggling agency works to improve itself after reports of abuse at Gainesville State School, one of Texas’ five secure lockups for youth found guilty of severe crimes. The reports resulted in several staff firings at Gainesville.
Abbott also replaced the agency’s executive director with Camille Cain in January.
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Information from: The Dallas Morning News, http://www.dallasnews.com
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