Let's start with the most basic; in Texas, how is a juvenile defined? What ages fall within the Texas juvenile justice jurisdiction? How does this compare to other states? What is your thought on these set ages? Should it change? Make sure you hit on all of those for this part of the assignment.

Next, let's see how the modern JJ system compares to the above-mentioned Child-Saving era? Above, we covered how the houses of reform and similar institutions were criticized for the violence and abuse exposed there. You will research the Texas Youth Commission's abuse scandal. The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) was the equivalent to the State juvenile prison system. At the time TYC existed, there was also the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission that provided support and oversight to local juvenile probation departments. Today, these two agencies were merged into one agency, the Texas Juvenile Justice Department. Based on what you find, does it seem the JJ system had progressed? Researching this will take some time, so do not wait until the last minute to assignment.

This assignment should give you a better perspective of the kids we will be talking about and the system that deals with them.