Travis County Commissioners Court
Tuesday, December 7, 2010,
Item 4
>> number 4, consider consider on briefing from community justice center advisory committee regarding need for clothing for releasees from Travis County community justice center.
>> morning.
I知 roger jeffreys, executive manager of justice and public safety.
I知 here with cindy finish began from criminal and justice planning and alonzo from the community center advisory committee.
>> hold on.
mr. Reeferseed, we're still trying to conduct business here.
thanks.
give roger a little bit more volume, media.
>> is that better?
>> that's better.
thank you.
>> so we have a very special appeal to Travis County staff and residents today.
>> good morning, judge and Commissioners.
>> morning.
>> we are in need of donated clothes.
for the state jail.
the Travis County counseling and education service and the Travis County state jail advisory committee are sponsored an ongoing clothing drive for incarcerated persons being released from Travis County.
this is both male and female.
many of the persons being released from prison are in jail or without adequate clothing, and often must depend upon leftovers from the prison or jail clothing closet.
and you have -- what we need is all clothing for adults are accepted, but in particular men's shirts and pants, large size, 1 x, 2 x and 3 x's.
and for the large size of men's pants, I would say anywhere 38 and above.
clothing must be in good condition, laundered, dry cleancleaned necessary, and we also need shoes.
I would say from size 10 on up.
if you have donated clothing, please contact cindy finnigan and she will have them picked up.
our dropoff location is 5500 north airport boulevard, suite 100.
during the hours from eight a.m.
to four p.m.
Monday through Friday.
and we also have an additional location here in the granger building just outside of the law library that is marked donation, clothing.
thank you very much.
>> thank you.
six that 5501.
>> 5501.
>> the ces offices.
>> our concern is not that they be able to look good, but that they be able to find jobs.
>> that's true.
>> in order to do that you really need to show up for the interview looking good.
>> not only that, finding jobs, people just need to leave the facility in a presentable manner.
I致e had occasion to be down at the bus station and see people that have been released from the state jail.
they stick out like a sore thumb because of they're inadequacy in clothing.
>> so the clothing would be donated to the program.
the program will donate the clothing to releasees.
>> yes, sir.
>> any questions?
>> yes.
I want to applaud you for what you're doing.
I had a chance to -- I remember when this item came once before as far as donating clothing, I had a chance to do just that, and of course, I知 not trying to put no halo around my head or anything like that, but I had a chance to not only take clothing from suits and stuff like that, but I was hoping that someone released was about the same size I am, kind of wide body.
>> there was a need.
so since the time I went there and dealt with that before, the need still continues because of the fact that as you stated before, a person that -- at the bus station.
whatever you're continuing to do, and you say you're in the granger building --
>> on the first floor next to the law library.
>> okay.
so anyone who want to bring size 10 shoes and suits and anything -- there was a priority as far as clothing was concerned?
>> your larger clothing is a very dire need.
larger, 1 x, 2 x and triple x.
>> a guy like me.
>> all right.
you ought to be about a 2 x.
>> all right, go ahead.
>> [ laughter ] and I told you I did it once before and I was hoping that somebody could use those suits.
but anyway, go ahead.
>> I guarantee you someone will be able to use them.
>> okay.
as far as shoes -- I was trying to get the priority as far as clothing is concerned.
in other words, if you were to prioritize, that would be the most in need?
I saw a lot of different things there, but what would be the most in need?
>> shirts.
>> shirts.
okay.
>> when you say shirts, it doesn't matter whether it's a dress shirt or casual?
>> it doesn't matter.
as long as it's clean, we can use it.
>> mr. Pena?
>> good morning, judge.
I want to thank mr. Bradley.
he's a good friend of mine, good friend to the community.
once you're released from incarceration -- I知 not criticizing or blaming the sheriff's department, but the clothes that are placed in bags with your name and whatever, they lose it temporarily, it's lost to the system.
it's a big system.
they don't have clothes to be released.
so you're released with whatever they have.
so it's not a pleasant sight.
but I think y'all are right on target when you go for an interview, appearance is about 50, 55, 60 percent of the interview.
and so is the knowledge of the position you're seeking.
nonetheless, it's needed out there and I would also urge the Travis County bar association, hispanic bar association, african-american bar association to donate to this good cause.
I want to thank alonzo, a good friend of mine for many years for the help he's given us in the community and also us veterans.
another thing I want to say in conjunction with that and I think you know what I知 going to say, transitional housing for people that have been released from jail, specifically also for women and women with children that is not enough even if there is not enough for that here in Austin, Travis County and we need it.
we need housing for the individuals being released.
they paid a debt to society and some of them made a mistake.
but nonetheless I知 not here to judge anybody because I don't want anybody judging me.
that's what I wanted to say.
and alonzo, keep up the good work.
and god bless you, brother.
and Commissioner Davis, we're pleasingly plump.
>> [ laughter ] irks what did you say?
>> pleasingly plump is what my girlfriend called me.
we're not 2 xl.
we're an extra large.
thank you, sir.
I love you, mr. Bradley.
anyway, thank you very much for your time.
it kind of floored me.
>> we're trying to get the word out to those who said that they may have clothing and to donate it.
>> the sooner the better.
>> thank you very much.
we could have done this under citizen communication, but we thought we would have a special item to call attention to it and to help us get out the word.
thank you.
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Last Modified:
Tuesday, December 7, 2010 1:33 PM
