Convicted child killer sues the state

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The case of Raul Meza continued in Federal court Monday afternoon. Meza is suing the state of Texas for keeping him confined, although he is eligible for mandatory supervised release. Meza is being held at the Travis County Correctional Facility in Del Valle and said he is not given the resources or the time to find to a job, which is a requirement for his release. During his testimony, Meza said parole officers were giving him only four hours a week to look for a job and he is not getting any response from the parole board on the dozens of applications for work he has submitted.

This case comes at a time when lawmakers are trying to solve the problem of hundreds of convicts eligible for parole, but who are still being held in maximum security prisons. Although the lawmakers stress Meza's case is an anomaly because he falls under a law that no longer exists, the complaints Meza made are not unique.

"We need to be smart," said Sen. John Whitmire (D-Houston). "After these convicted felons have served their time, we have to help them re-enter society."Whitmire said as policy stands now, the state does not provide inmates a social security card or a driver's license when they are ready to leave prison. Whitmire said their criminal record already makes it hard for them to find a job and a place to live and it is the state's job to provide some help.

"We need to realize that they know how to sell drugs and do drugs," said Sen. Whitmire. "We don't want them to go back to that." During a meeting of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, Sen. Whitmire and other members suggested building facilities on state property to act as halfway houses or rental units for convicted criminals who are trying to re-enter society. The funds were appropriated for the facilities during the 2007 legislative session.

In the case of Raul Meza, he was eligible for supervised release in the early 90's, but was rejected by every community in which the state tried to place him. After a curfew violation while living at a motel, Meza was sent back to jail. U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel said he was not willing to make a summary judgement on this case and wants to hear all the evidence Meza has that could prove he is being treated differently from other inmates. Closing arguments are expected late Monday afternoon.