Eryka Villarreal

Government data show that nearly one-third of the federal prison population in America are Hispanic. Reducing that number is a goal of the Hispanic Policy Network, a group that met recently at Texas State. Eryka Villarreal has more in this Bobcat Update.

The Hispanic Policy Network has studied incarceration trends in America and how they affect the Latino community. H-P-N sponsored a symposium featuring speakers from across the state, including Criminal Justice Professor Martin Urbina of Sul Ross University. Dr. Urbina says the prison pipeline that exists must be reduced. He wants young people in school, not behind bars.
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Texas State Sociology Professor Dr. Gloria Ramos Martinez helped organize the H-P-N symposium. She says the purpose of the event is to educate students on law enforcement issues and to prepare the next generation of leaders.
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Sergeant Alex Villalobos, with the Texas State Police Department, says the symposium helped foster a respectful dialogue between law enforcement and the community.
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Sergeant Villalobos says it was a great opportunity to be seen in a different light besides enforcing the law. For Bobcat Update, I'm Eryka Villarreal.