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ABOUT

GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP

Grassroots Leadership is an Austin,

Texas-based national organization that works to

end prison profiteering, mass incarceration and deportation through

direct action, organizing, research, and public education.

“With more alternative programs in place for inmates, the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole is pardoning more inmates and seeing fewer return to jail”, according to Commissioner with the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole Lynn Ruzicka. - July 2014

33-percent decline in revocations to prison for people on parole Between 2007 and 2016, the number of people revoked to prison from parole declined 33 percent, from 9,381 to 6,272.

During that time, the parole population increased 14 percent, from 76,601 to 87,304 people.

The 85th(R) Texas Lege in Review - TDCJ Edition

The 85th(R) Texas Lege in Review - TDCJ Edition

Appropriation Request.

A formal request to the proper authority for a significant amount of

money, especially for a capital investment. A government department may make an

appropriations request to the legislature to expand its services;

likewise, a department within a company may make a request to

senior management.

o Continued Funding of 4% items $ 214.0 o Contract Per Diem Adjustments – Privately Operated Facilities $ 14.8 o Repair & Renovation of Facilities $ 38.1 o Offender Healthcare $ 247.3 o Probation – CSCD Health Insurance (Employer Portion) $ 22.0 o Probation Specialized Caseloads $ 21.3 o In-Prison Therapeutic Community (IPTC) $ 15.4 o Additional TCOOMMI Mental Health Funding $ 12.0 o Reentry Transitional Coordinators $ 2.9 o Corrections Information Technology System Project $ 19.9

Texas Department of Criminal Justice FY 2018-19 Legislative Appropriation Request (LAR)

“...maintain current operational levels and policy initiatives, and expand treatment, diversion and reentry programs, as outlined…”

The grand total budget request for the 2018-19 biennium is approximately $7.14 billion from all funding sources and $6.99 billion from general revenue funding sources. Exceptional items requested for the 2018-19 biennium total $607.7 million and provide for a portion of the funding required to maintain current funding levels (“4% items”), maintain current operational levels and policy initiatives, and expand treatment, diversion and reentry programs, as outlined below:

What is the difference is between responsibility and accountability?

What Do You Think?

HB1274 - Second Look Bill“...relating to the release on parole of certain inmates convicted of an offense committed when younger than 18 years of age; changing parole eligibility.”

ACTIONS TAKEN ON BILL

● Filed 1/25● Read First time 2/23● Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence 2/23● Scheduled for public hearing on 3/20● Considered in public hearing on 3/20● Committee Substitute 3/20● Testimony Taken 3/20● Left Pending 3/20● Reported Favorably 5/01● Report sent to Calendars 5/04● Monday, May 8, 2017 (119th day) Last day for house

committees to report house bills and house joint resolutions

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Published on Apr 11, 2017

AnotherLook

Parole 101Parole Division

The Parole Division supervises offenders released from prison who are serving out their sentences in Texas communities. The division also performs some pre-release functions by investigating the parole plans proposed by inmates and by tracking parole eligible cases and submitting them for timely consideration by the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

The division does not make release decisions, nor does it decide whose parole should be revoked or what special conditions should be placed on releasees. Authority for those decisions rests with the Board of Pardons and Paroles, but the division works closely with the board and provides board members with the documentation needed to make informed decisions.

Parole 101Board of Pardons and Parole

The Board of Pardons and Paroles decides which eligible offenders to release on parole or discretionary mandatory supervision, and under what conditions. The Board uses research-based Parole Guidelines to assess each offender's likelihood for a successful parole against the risk to society.

The Board also decides whether to revoke parole if conditions are not met, using a graduated sanctions approach. Depending on the seriousness of the violation, the Board may continue parole, impose additional conditions, place the offender in an Intermediate Sanction Facility, or use other alternatives to revoking parole and sending the offender back to prison.

Additionally, the Board recommends clemency matters, including pardons, to the Governor.

Parole 101

● Parole Hearings● Parole Packets● Parole Lawyers● Parole Plans

Parole 101Parole Hearings

A request for an interview with the board member panel should be made on behalf of the inmate. This is important because an interview will give the offender the opportunity to speak to the members directly to convince them that he or she has been rehabilitated. Although interviews are not granted in most cases, a request by an attorney can greatly increase the chances of an interview.

Parole 101Parole Packet

A parole packet consists of materials submitted to the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole in support of an inmate with the goal of getting released early. A parole packet is advantageous to help convince the parole board that the offender has been rehabilitated. Due to the fact that interviews by the parole board are not commonly granted because so many applications are received, an effective parole packet is key to obtaining early release. The submission of a packet is a great opportunity for the voting panel to obtain information regarding the inmate’s character, level of rehabilitation, and future plans.

Parole 101Parole Attorney

The parole attorney will also ascertain and discuss future employment opportunities, housing, and resources to create a plan-of-action upon release. The parole board must be convinced that the inmate will not be a threat to the public when they are released. The attorney will also coordinate with the parole board to make sure deadlines are met and that they receive all the materials well in advance of their decision. Finally, the attorney will appear in person or by telephone, pursuant to family’s decision at the time of hiring, and advocate for the release of the inmate.

Parole 101Parole Plan

A parole plan will need to be included to show that, if released, the inmate has a comprehensive plan in place to succeed on parole and remain in the community. The plan should include where the inmate plans to live, employment plans, family support and life changes that will be made to improve the chances of succeeding on parole.

Parole 101What factors does the parole board consider in making the decision to grant parole?The board uses a variety of factors in determining whether to release an inmate on parole. The panel will decide whether the inmate has been rehabilitated to the point that they can safely be integrated and become a productive member of the community. The parole board will consider numerous elements including, but not limited to:

● the nature of the initial offense;● inmate’s criminal history;● length of time served;● participation in prison programs;● age and education level;● amount of family and community

support; and● whether inmate is likely to offend again.

Parole 101● Parole Hearings

○ Parole Interview■ If granted

● Parole Packets○ Never Considered

● Parole Lawyers○ Useless

● Parole Plans○ Release Plan

What Do You Think?

What are the collateral

consequences of being on

parole in Texas?