An Oklahoma company that houses almost half of the worst sex offenders in Texas wants those inmates gone from three halfway houses the company runs.
Avalon Correctional Services has given Texas until July 28 to remove about 60 offenders from houses in Fort Worth, Dallas and El Paso. The Houston Chronicle reports Avalon cites an "intentional lack of communication, support and secretiveness" by the Office of Violent Sex Offender Management.
Avalon said increased inmate litigation requires staff to travel from as far as El Paso to Conroe and the only state court that handles those cases. Avalon also says the state refuses to negotiate better terms for the business.
Agency director Marsha Lane disputed the contentions, and Senate Criminal Justice Committee Chairman John Whitmire calls Avalon's demands "extortion."
