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No fiscal implication to the State or units of local government is anticipated.
Since the Ruiz v. Estelle ruling that the Texas Department of Corrections was in violation of our rights ensured to us by the U.S. constitution, there have been many legislators, lobbyists, nonprofits, and other interested parties attempting to reform our prison system to be more aligned to our founders’ vision of reformation. HB 1083 would be taking a small step to reform the correctional system to comply to our constitutional protections. This bill intends to restore our Eighth Amendment right to not be inflicted with "cruel and unusual punishments."
There is research that indicates that those within solitary confinement are more likely to commit suicide than those who remain in general population (Reeves & Tamburello, 2014). The assessment that would be mandated by HB 1083 can be perceived as a warranted precautionary measure to make sure prisons are in compliance with our Eighth amendment rights.
We support this bill as being aligned with limited government principle.