As a taxpaying voter and citizen of the State of Texas, I wish to address each of you concerning the following: At the present time, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice System is hopelessly overcrowded and understaffed while simultaneously operating at or beyond the maximum legal capacity permissible by law. The 2011 Texas Legislature has no choice but to address this issue in the upcoming session. Be it known that I do not want any new prison units built within the State of Texas. We cannot fully staff nor properly fund the ones already in existence. It is time that Texas replaces its barbaric "Throw Away the Key" attitude with viable legislation. PROPOSED SOLUTIONS 1) I request that legislation be passed which would reduce the parole eligibility requirements of all defendants currently serving under the 1/2 (50%) law from that of 50% minimum flat time before parole eligibility requirements to that of 1/4 (25) before parole eligibility. 2) Legislation should be passed which provides for mandatory release for first time offenders (only) who meet there parole eligibility requirements with satisfactory disciplinary records (which reflects an effort at rehabilitation). 3) All offenders, regardless of crime or sentencing legislature, be given both "Good Time" and "Work Time" to be calculated concurrent with their "Flat Time" served an<| that Texas conies out of the dark ages and provide some type of incentives for offenders to work and conduct themselves in a manner which reflects there active effort at self rehabilitation ....We punish them when they do bad. We should reward them when they do well. | 4) All above legislation should be applied retro-actively back to 1993 to all qualified offenders We the voting citizens of the State of Texas have spoken. We ask that our voices and wishes be heard and applied by those who we elected and whose salaries we pay. If we cannot get our wishes carried out by those currently in office, then we can assure you this will be reflected at the next upcoming election.