Prison Healthcare Expenses and Budgets

James Freeman
Executive Director
House Business Office
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, Texas 78768-2910
512-463-0835

To Mr. James Freeman:

Under the Texas Public Information Act, Tex. Gov’t Code §552.001 et seq., I am requesting an opportunity to inspect or obtain copies of public records that:

- Active contracts with third-party vendors exceeding $50,000 for medical services that are provided to individuals in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice(TDCJ)
- Proposed contracts with third-party vendors exceeding $50,000 for medical services that are provided to individuals in the custody of the TDCJ
- The enacted TDCJ budget for the fiscal year 2021
- A list of all medical institutions external to the TDCJ which provide inpatient and outpatient services to the individuals in TDCJ custody

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filed electronically, by e-mail attachment if available, or CD-ROM if not. However, we respectfully request a waiver of these fees as we are affiliated with an educational or noncommercial scientific institution, and this request is made for a scholarly or scientific purpose and not for a commercial use.

The Texas Public Information Act requires that you “promptly produce” the requested records unless, within 10 days, you have sought an Attorney General’s Opinion. If you expect a significant delay in responding to this request, please contact me with information about when I might expect copies or the ability to inspect the requested records.

Should you deny my request, or any part of the request, please state in writing the basis for the denial, including the exact statutory citation authorizing the denial as required by s. 119.07(1)(d), F.S. Also, please provide all segregable portions of otherwise exempt material.

Thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter.

Sincerely,

Forrest Behne
COVID Prison Project

Office: (919) 391-7962
340 MacNider Hall | Campus Box 7240
333 South Columbia Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7240