The Board of Pardons and Paroles can decide a case in a number of different ways
and can attach a number of Special Conditions to the parole. For information on
Special Conditions check out the “Policies and Directives” section
of The Board of Pardons and Paroles’ web site at:
http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/bpp/
RULE §145.12 Action upon Review
Texas Administrative Code TITLE 37 PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS PART 5 TEXAS
BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES CHAPTER 145 PAROLE SUBCHAPTER A PAROLE PROCESS
RULE §145.12 Action upon Review
A case reviewed by a parole panel for parole consideration may be:
(1) deferred for request and receipt of further information;
(2) denied a favorable parole action at this time and set for review on a
future specific month and year (Set-Off). The next review docket date (Month/Year)
may be set at any date in the three year incarceration period following the
prior parole docket date, but in no event shall it be less than one calendar
year from either the prior parole docket date or the date of the panel decision
if the prior parole docket date has passed;
(3) deny parole and order serve-all, but in no event shall this be utilized
if the inmate's minimum expiration date is over three years from either the
prior parole docket date or the date of the panel decision if the prior parole
docket date has passed. If the serve-all date in effect on the date of the panel
decision is extended by more than 180 days, the case shall be placed in regular
parole review;
(4) determined that the totality of the circumstances favor the inmate's release
on parole, further investigation (FI) is ordered in the following manner; and,
upon release to parole, all conditions of parole or release to mandatory supervision
that the parole panel is required by law to impose as a condition of parole
or release to mandatory supervision are imposed:
(A) FI-1--Release when eligible;
(B) FI-2 (Month/Year)--Release on a specified
future date within the three year incarceration period following either the
prior parole docket date or date of the panel decision if the prior parole docket
date has passed;
(C) FI-3 R (Month/Year)--Transfer to a TDCJ rehabilitation
program. Release to parole only after program completion and no earlier than
three months from specified date. Such TDCJ program may include the Pre-Release
Substance Abuse Program (PRSAP). In no event shall the specified date be set
more than three years from the current docket date or the date of the panel
decision if the current docket date has passed;
(D) FI-4 (Month/Year)--Transfer to Pre-parole
Transfer facility prior to presumptive parole date set by board panel and release
to parole supervision on presumptive parole date, but in no event shall the
specified date be set more than three years from either initial eligibility
date, current docket date or date of panel decision, if the aforementioned dates
have passed;
(E) FI 5--Transfer to Inpatient Therapeutic Community
Program. Release to aftercare component only after completion of IPTC program;
(F) FI 6 R (Month/Year)--Transfer to a TDCJ rehabilitation
program. Release to parole only after program completion and no earlier than
six months from specified date. Such TDCJ program may include the Pre-Release
Therapeutic Community (PRTC). In no event shall the specified date be set more
than three years from the current docket date or the date of the panel decision
if the current docket date has passed;
(G) FI-9 R (Month/Year)--Transfer to a TDCJ rehabilitation
program. Release to parole only after program completion and no earlier than
nine months from specified date. Such TDCJ program may include the In-Prison
Therapeutic Community (IPTC). In no event shall the specified date be set more
than three years from the current docket date or the date of the panel decision
if the current docket date has passed;
(H) FI-18 R (Month/Year)--Transfer to a TDCJ rehabilitation
program. Release to parole only after program completion and no earlier than
18 months from specified date. Such TDCJ program may include the Sex Offender
Treatment Program (SOTP). In no event shall the specified date be set more than
three years from the current docket date or the date of the panel decision if
the current docket date has passed;
(5) any person released to parole after completing a TDCJ treatment program
as a prerequisite for parole, must participate in and complete any required
post-release program.
What Are Rehabilitation Tier/FI-R Programs
The Texas Legislature has required that the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
(TDCJ) identify offenders who should attend treatment programs that will most
immediately impact post-release adjustment. These programs are identified as
Rehabilitation Tier Programs. TDCJ has also established other programs that
satisfy the Rehabilitation Parole Vote (FI-R), but are not designated as Rehabilitation
Tier Programs.
WHICH PROGRAMS SATISFY THE REHABILITATION TIER PAROLE VOTE (FI-R)?
INTERCHANGE PROGRAM*
In a unique partnership, TDCJ and Prison Fellowship Ministries have developed
the Interchange Freedom Initiative Program which is designed to reduce recidivism.
This program is a voluntary, 18 month, faith-based program located at the Vance
Unit. This program uses Biblical principles to emphasize the importance of taking
ownership for one’s life and for developing good decision-making skills
and actions.
SEX OFFENDER TREATMENT PROGRAM (SOTP)*
An 18-month program which is based on Cognitive-Behavioral therapy in a relapse-prevention
framework. Therapists work with offenders to change error in thinking. These
errors have led them to negative outcomes such as sex offending and prison.
Positive changes in thinking will lead to more positive behavior. The SOTP program
is located at eh Goree, Hightower, and Hilltop Units.
IN-PRISON THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY (IPTC)*
A nine-month program intensive program for offenders identified as needing
substance abuse treatment. The programs are located at the Hackberry and Henley
Units for females and the Kyle Unit for males. Programming for the IPTC consists
of three phases: orientation, Main Treatment, and Re-Entry. Orientation provides
a comprehensive assessment and orientation to the therapeutic community. Main
Treatment concentrates on education, skills training, offender lifestyle confrontation,
family dynamics, and 12-step programs. Re-Entry focuses on the development of
social skills, personal growth skill, and relapse prevention. After program
completion, offenders are paroled to a community residential facility for three
month, followed by outpatient treatment for 12 months.
IN-PERSON THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY 2 PROGRAM (IPTC2)*
A six-month intensive program for female offenders identified as needing substance
abuse treatment. This program is structured the same as the above described
IPTC program The IPTC2 program is located at the Halbert Unit.
PRE-RELEASE SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAM (PRSAP)*
A six-month program modified therapeutic community treatment program for offenders
with serious substance abuse dependence and antisocial characteristics. Programming
consists of five months of intensive structured treatment and one month of after-care
treatment, which is all provided at the LeBlanc Unit.
PRE-RELEASE THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY PROGRAM (PRTC)*
A six-month modified therapeutic community treatment program located at the
Beto Unit. It is designed to provide pre-release services to offenders who may
have a combination of needs. The Programs and Services Division, Windham School
District, and Parole Division work in accord to provide the following: vocational
training, educational classes, substance abuse treatment, life skills classes,
cognitive intervention, employment training, and release planning.
SEGOVIA PRE-RELEASE CENTER (SEGOVLPRC)
A four to six-month program designed to prepare offenders for release. The primary
program component is CHANGES (described below). Other program components are
literacy, cognitive intervention, and vocational courses. This program is located
at the Segovia Unit.
CHANGES PROGRAM
A three-month program entitled Changing Habits and Achieving New Goals to Empower
Success (CHANGES). It offers a life skills curriculum to offenders for release.
The program content includes: family relationships and parenting, civic and
legal responsibilities, victim sensitivity, health maintenance, employability,
money management, and other related life skills. CHANGES is offered on most
TDCJ facilities.
VOYAGER PROGRAM
This program is offered through the Chaplain’s Department and offers
a faith-based, non denominational curriculum. The program is strictly voluntary
and is normally three months in length. Program content is similar to CHANGES.
Voyager is offered on most TDCJ facilities.
YOUTHFUL OFFENDER PROGRAM (YOP)
A six month intensive treatment program for violent and habitual youthful offenders
who are between the ages of 14 through 18. Program components include anger
management, academics, cognitive restructuring, substance abuse treatment, and
chaplaincy activities. The program is located at the Clements Unit for males,
and the Hilltop Unit for females. | 