SPOKE ARTICLE - Parole and Probation by State series - TEXAS

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Parole and Probation in Texas

If someone you love is on parole or probation in Texas, or if you have just gotten out and are trying to understand what is expected of you, this guide is written for both of you. Texas has one of the largest criminal justice systems in the country - roughly 137,000 people in state prisons and state jails, and 75,000 more on parole. Probation in Texas is called community supervision and is run through county-based departments, not a state agency. And Texas has a third category - mandatory supervision - that functions differently from both parole and probation. Getting the terminology right is the starting point.

Three supervision tracks in Texas

Texas uses three distinct community supervision tracks, and which one applies depends on the sentence.

Parole is the discretionary early release from prison granted by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. The Board votes on whether to grant parole; the TDCJ Parole Division supervises parolees through 67 district parole offices statewide.

Mandatory supervision is a separate category for certain offenders whose calendar time served plus good conduct time credits equals the length of the sentence. When that threshold is met, release is mandatory unless the Board finds the person poses a danger to society - a specific statutory finding required to deny mandatory supervision. TDCJ supervises mandatory supervision releasees the same way it supervises parolees.

Community supervision is the Texas term for probation. It is court-ordered supervision in the community as an alternative to incarceration, or following a period of incarceration. Community supervision is administered by Community Supervision and Corrections Departments - called CSCDs - which are county-level entities operating under local judges. TDCJ funds and provides oversight of CSCDs but does not directly run them.

The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles

The Board of Pardons and Paroles consists of seven board members and a larger group of parole commissioners. Parole decisions are made by panels, typically consisting of a board member or commissioner reviewing cases. The Board also processes executive clemency recommendations to the Governor.

Parole eligibility dates are calculated by the TDCJ Correctional Institutions Division Records Office based on the offense, the sentence, and applicable statutes. The percentage of a sentence that must be served before reaching the parole eligibility date varies by offense type and statute. The Pardons and Parole Division identifies offenders six months before their initial parole eligibility date and four months before subsequent annual review dates, directing the case file for review.

Offenders receive an annual parole review. However, for certain offenses listed under Government Code §508.149(a), the Board can set off annual reviews for up to five years. Offenders not eligible for mandatory supervision because of a §508.149(a) conviction are eligible for a multi-year review rather than annual review.

The Board also has authority for Medically Recommended Intensive Supervision, which allows for release of certain terminally ill or severely incapacitated people who no longer pose a public safety threat.

How to find someone in Texas

Texas has two separate search tools for people in the TDCJ system.

The TDCJ Inmate Search at inmate.tdcj.texas.gov covers only people currently incarcerated in a TDCJ facility. You search by last name plus first initial, or by TDCJ number or SID number. Every person processed into TDCJ is assigned a seven-digit TDCJ number - the most reliable identifier in the system.

The TDCJ Offender Search at ivss.tdcj.texas.gov/offender-search-2 covers a broader population including parolees and people on mandatory supervision, as well as current inmates. Search by name, SID number, or current TDCJ number.

For parole status questions before the Board has voted, call (844) 512-0461. After the Board has voted, call (512) 406-5202. For general inmate information, call TDCJ at (936) 295-6371.

For county jail inmates, Texas has 254 counties each with its own jail operated by the county sheriff. County jail inmates are not in the TDCJ search. Contact the county sheriff directly.

Texas also participates in VINE for automated custody status notifications.

How parole works in Texas

When the Board votes to grant parole, the TDCJ Parole Division supervises the person in the community through one of 67 district parole offices. Standard parole conditions include reporting regularly to a parole officer, remaining in Texas without advance permission, no new criminal conduct, no firearms possession, drug and alcohol testing, maintaining approved housing and employment, and paying supervision fees and any restitution.

The parole officer is the daily point of contact. All condition changes - address, employment, travel - require advance written approval from the parole officer or the Board.

The Board can impose special conditions beyond the standard ones, and can also impose discretionary conditions based on the offense.

For parole violations, the TDCJ Parole Division initiates the revocation process. The Board can revoke parole and return the person to TDCJ custody, or impose intermediate sanctions short of revocation.

Mandatory supervision in Texas

Mandatory supervision releases a person automatically when their calendar time served plus good conduct time equals the length of the sentence - unless the Board makes a specific finding that the person would be a danger to society. For certain offense categories, mandatory supervision is not available at all.

People on mandatory supervision are supervised by TDCJ the same way parolees are - through the 67 district parole offices with standard supervision conditions. Violations are handled by the Board the same way parole violations are.

If you are unsure whether your person is subject to parole or mandatory supervision, this matters for understanding their release timeline. Check the TDCJ Offender Search for projected release and supervision type information, or call TDCJ directly.

Community supervision: Texas probation

Community supervision in Texas is the court-ordered alternative to incarceration. Judges impose community supervision and set conditions. CSCDs - Community Supervision and Corrections Departments - handle day-to-day supervision in each county.

Texas has two main types of community supervision.

Regular community supervision (sometimes called straight probation) involves a conviction being entered. The person serves the supervision term. A violation can result in revocation and imposition of the underlying sentence.

Deferred adjudication community supervision means the judge does not enter a final conviction. Instead, the person is placed on supervision. If they complete the term successfully, the case can be dismissed. If they violate, the judge can proceed to a final conviction and sentencing. People on deferred adjudication who successfully complete supervision may petition for an order of nondisclosure, which limits public access to the criminal record. The rules around nondisclosure eligibility and timing are offense-specific and have been updated by recent Texas legislation.

CSCDs are locally governed and vary by county in their specific programs and resources, though all must meet TDCJ standards for receiving state funding.

Community supervision violations are handled by the sentencing court. The judge can continue supervision, modify conditions, or revoke and impose incarceration.

Reporting and your supervision officer

This section is for the person on supervision. On parole or mandatory supervision, your officer works for the TDCJ Parole Division at one of the 67 district parole offices. Report as required and get advance approval for any changes.

On community supervision, your officer works for the CSCD in your county. The court retains jurisdiction and the judge makes revocation decisions.

Know your conditions. Read the parole certificate or community supervision order and keep a copy. Ask before you miss anything.

For families: use the TDCJ Inmate Search for people currently in prison. Use the TDCJ Offender Search for parolees and mandatory supervision releasees. For parole status questions, call (844) 512-0461 before Board vote or (512) 406-5202 after.

Violations: what families should know

For parole and mandatory supervision violations, the TDCJ Parole Division initiates the process. The Board of Pardons and Paroles makes the revocation decision. Revocation returns the person to TDCJ custody. The Board can also impose intermediate sanctions short of full revocation.

For community supervision violations, the sentencing court holds the revocation hearing. The court can modify conditions, continue supervision, or revoke and impose incarceration.

In all cases: get an attorney involved immediately. Document mitigating circumstances. Show up.

Voting rights in Texas

Texas restores voting rights upon completion of the entire sentence, including any period of parole, mandatory supervision, or community supervision. People currently on parole, mandatory supervision, or community supervision are not eligible to vote in Texas.

Early termination and getting off supervision

For parole and mandatory supervision, the Board of Pardons and Paroles can grant early discharge.

For community supervision, the sentencing court can terminate supervision early on petition. For deferred adjudication, successful completion allows petition for dismissal and potential nondisclosure.

Texas has a process for expungement of certain records and nondisclosure orders for certain deferred adjudication completions. An attorney is the right resource for the specific eligibility rules.

[Internal link block to render at foot of article:]

- See every prison and jail in Texas: /prisons/texas

- Send mail or photos to someone in Texas: InmateAid mail and photos service

- Send money to someone in Texas: InmateAid send money

- Search arrest records in Texas: Arrest Record Search (honestly labeled affiliate)

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