Former Harris County Judge Now Holds It Down in the Jails

We recently caught up with former Harris County District Court Judge Caprice Cosper and talked to her about her new appointment which has been described as a czar-ship for jails. She says that’s an inaccurate description and let us know exactly what she does in overseeing the jail system. One of her main goals is to deal with jail over crowding which may result in the need for an expensive new jail facility. The US Department of Justice is monitoring the much needed improvements in jail conditions. She is a liaison between Harris County criminal justice officials and the Harris County Commissioners. Described as a meticulous, hard-working, stern yet fair judge, we at The Southern Shift sat down and talked with Judge Cosper about how she will define success.

In part 2 we continue our interview with former Harris County District Court Judge Caprice Cosper. Here she tackles the issue of recitivism and the push to be tough on crime. She talks about how Harris County is in a unique point in history where various stake holders in the justice system recognize there is great need for change. She lays out the steps she and others are now taking to be fair and yet responsible for keeping society’s most dangerous people off the streets.

As we come into part 3 of our interview with former District Court Judge Caprice Cosper, she talks about the need to rehabillitate non-violent substance abusers and low level offenders who will one day get out of prison and return to society. 

We conclude our interview with former Harris County District Court Judge Caprice Cosper. Here we talk about the influence of gang reality shows on TV and how they may encourage wayward youth looking for 15 minutes of fame. We also talk about how women are the largest growing segment in Harris County’s jail population and steps being taken to turn that around. Lastly we talk about about how roughly 1 in every 10 adult Texans is a felon.