But keeping criminals at bay remains frustrating. Also frustrating is the knowledge that property offenders continue to return to the streets after being convicted again and again for similar crimes. That's where state jails are supposed to help. State jail felonies include crimes such as burglary, theft, car theft, and credit card abuse. In fact, the state jail legislation provides judges with enormous flexibility.
Judges can even sentence criminals to a stint in a state jail as a condition of probation.
In spite of this newfound flexibility, Texas judges are ignoring this option. Although there were 105,000 car thefts in 1995, so few offenders were sentenced to state jail that six new facilities will be opened later than planned. The state jail system is a good idea. Offenders can be incarcerated near the community where they committed the crime. Judges can order a mix of punishment and rehabilitation tailored toward specific offenders.