October 24, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Special Halloween restrictions prevent children's contact
with some parolees

Parole Division staff will be out in force this Halloween keeping young trick-or-treaters away from parolees whose supervision conditions prohibit contact with children.

As in the past, paroled offenders with child-contact restrictions received written notice informing them that, in addition to their normal supervisory conditions:

• They are to remain home from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m., excluding medical treatment or regular employment that has been verified and approved by a parole officer
  
  
• All outside lighting of their residence must be turned off at 5 p.m.
  
  
• No Halloween decorations are to be placed on the exterior of their residence

To help ensure compliance, parole staff will conduct residence checks beginning at dusk on October 31. Parole's Specialized Programs department will also send letters to Sex Offender Treatment Program providers, advising them to inform their treatment groups of these special restrictions.

"Parole officers are sworn to protect the citizens of Texas every day of the year. That's why on Halloween they're especially diligent in making sure that the chances of contact between children and those whose conditions prohibit it are less likely to happen," said Parole Division Director Pamela Thielke.

If it's determined an individual is not in compliance, a parole warrant will be issued for their arrest.

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