Facilitating Public Safety Through Reentry in Texas
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) implemented an approach to sex offender reentry that reflects the current research and practice literature. The following are important elements of TDCJ's approach:
- Proactive reentry planning: All offenders go through a comprehensive assessment process soon after prison admission. TDCJ uses these results to classify offenders into security levels, identify appropriate housing options, and triage offenders into programs and services.
- Evidence-based interventions in the prison setting: Recognizing the diversity of sex offenders, TDCJ offers three sex offense-specific treatment programs. The Sex Offender Education Program (SOEP) is a four-month curriculum for lower-risk sex offenders. The nine-month Sex Offender Treatment Program (SOTP-9) is designed for moderate risk offenders, comprised of psycho-educational classes and group therapy. The 18-month Sex Offender Treatment Program (SOTP-18) is designed for higher-risk sex offenders with psycho-educational classes and group therapy in a therapeutic community milieu. Both the SOTP-9 and SOTP-18 provide individualized treatment utilizing a cognitive-behavioral approach addressing dynamic risk factors, underlying issues associated with sexual offending, and an understanding of relapse prevention. Program entrance decisions are determined by risk level (as determined by the STATIC-99R) and anticipated release date, to include parole vote for required program participation as decided by the Board of Pardons and Paroles (BPP). In addition, TDCJ provides additional prison-based programs to address other criminogenic needs (e.g., substance abuse).
- Roles of Institutional Parole Officers (IPOs): In cooperation with TDCJ, the IPOs who work for the BPP serve as the link between prison-based services and community management efforts. IPOs provide parole officers with information about returning sex offenders, which includes a summary of treatment participation, assessment results, and official documentation that guides the development of comprehensive and individualized community case management plans.
- Continuity of care: For sex offenders who receive prison-based sex offender treatment, a seamless transition into community-based programming allows them to build upon the treatment progress they made in prison. This is made possible by a common, evidence-based treatment model and a commitment to collaboration and information sharing among those involved in the reentry process, including treatment providers in the institutional and community settings.
- Early involvement of community parole officers: Prior to release, officers are responsible for approving the sponsors and home plans of sex offenders. Designated sponsors are required to sign a "Collateral Contact Form" which describes the supervision process, outlines relevant risk factors, and details the responsibilities of serving as a sponsor. When approving a home plan, officers identify whether the proposed residence is in a child safety zone, investigate routes of travel the offender might take, identify the potential presence of vulnerable parties in the home, and confirm the availability of community-based treatment programs.
- Employment: Recognizing that stable, gainful employment can enhance successful reentry, offenders are referred to the Texas Workforce Commission; which links offenders to jobs matching their skills, education, and interests prior to release and provides ongoing employment support in the community.
- Specialized community supervision: TDCJ has implemented a statewide approach to specialized sex offender supervision, which includes specialized training for sex offender officers and has incorporated Motivational Interviewing strategies. Based upon assessment results, TDCJ supervises sex offenders at different levels of intensity by specialized officers. Each level has specific contact standards and requirements.