Licensing agency lists problems in prison buildup

AUSTIN (AP) - Construction and design decisions made by unlicensed engineers during the state's recent $1.5 billion buildup of prison space led to numerous problems that could have been life-threatening, according to the state agency that regulates engineers.

The State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers last month told the state's prison agency that much of its recent construction wasn't properly supervised by engineers.

The board at the time didn't have a list of problems, but said the Texas Department of Criminal Justice was operating in violation of state licensing laws.

The TDCJ agreed to comply with the laws, but challenged the registration board to show any construction problems resulting from the alleged violations.

"They asked for the list and we've provided it," said John Speed, executive director of the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers.

The list included:

-- An engineer's seal reportedly cut from one construction drawing and taped to another so the second could be approved.

-- Unlicensed engineers ordering construction changes, including one at a meat packing plant at the Michael Unit near Palestine in which, according to the engineers' board, there "appears to be violations of code and may be life-threatening."

-- A prison system official who wasn't a licensed engineer allegedly had authority over the design of fire protection and other safety systems at new prison units.

-- Plans for a vocational building at the Jester III Unit near Richmond, southwest of Houston, were designed by a licensed engineer, but allegedly were changed "without his consent or knowledge."

-- Boilers and ventilation systems at several units may be improperly designed or installed.

In a letter to prison officials, Speed acknowledged that many of the alleged problems have been corrected and said there is no indication any prisons are unsafe.

Even so, Art Mosley, who oversees prison construction, said the allegations would be reviewed.

"A lot of these problems we have been aware of and have addressed already," he said. "A lot of this was due to the rapid rate of construction we were engaged in at the time. But our goal now is to make sure we have no faults at any units that create hazards."