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UK Minister of Justice Studies Texas Criminal Justice Reforms

British Minister of Justice Michael Gove visited the Giddings State School on September 23 as part of his fact-finding tour of Texas to learn more about recent reforms in Texas criminal justice.

In addition to meeting with public policy makers and advocates and touring Texas Department of Criminal Justice facilities, Gove wanted a first-hand view of the Giddings State School and the Capital and Serious Violent Offenders program. 

Executive Director David Reilly and Giddings Superintendent Jorge Gonzalez provided a tour of the Giddings campus.  During the tour, Gove spoke to numerous Giddings staff members and youth while visiting the school building, welding shop, auto mechanics shop, dormitories and the security unit. 

A BBC camera crew and reporter also accompanied Gove as he toured Giddings.  The BBC is producing a documentary about criminal justice reform in Texas and how leaders in the UK hope to replicate many of the reforms.  While the documentary is currently unavailable for viewing in the U.S., the UK’s Daily Telegraph wrote an article about the Minister’s visit and included a summary of the Giddings visit. Read the report at: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11909309/The-Texas-prison-experiment-that-inspired-Michael-Gove.html

PHOTO: Minister Gove is interviewed by the BBC in the Giddings welding shop.

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