Top Employees at Youth Lockup Fired in Latest Shakeup at Texas Juvenile Justice Agency

AUSTIN — Five of the top employees at the youth lockup north of Dallas have been terminated amid ongoing efforts to right the state's juvenile justice agency.Superintendent Mike Studamire, Assistant Superintendent Deidra Reece, Manager of Security Operations and Support Programs Cathryn Hudspeth, Manager of Facility Programs and Services Ron Stewart and Dorm Supervisor Carl Motley have all been let go from their positions at the Gainesville State School since the fall. The Texas Juvenile Justice Department, the agency that runs Gainesville and the state's four other youth lockups, has also suspended its equine therapy program.In a statement provided to The Dallas Morning News, TJJD's top executive said the changes are part of her plan to turn the agency around after years of turmoil.  Continue reading...