Fusion Center

Gang Renouncement and Disassociation (GRAD) Process

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has initiated a process, which provides a method for inmates to renounce their membership with a known gang. This procedure is called the Gang Renouncement and Disassociation Process (GRAD). Inmates willing to renounce their gang affiliation will be required to participate in the nine-month process and associated activities until successful completion is attained.

After successfully completing the GRAD process, the inmate will be released into general population and assigned to a unit recommended by the State Classification Committee. If the inmate is found to be involved in gang activities after release to general population, the inmate will be returned to security detention and will not be allowed to participate in the GRAD process again. The inmate must express to the unit gang officer in written form, a desire to renounce membership in the gang. The Fusion Center shall make the final decision on any matters pertaining to the GRAD process. In order to be eligible to participate in the GRAD process, an inmate shall meet the following criteria:

1. Have not been involved in any gang activities for a minimum of one year;
2. Have a completed and signed Gang Member Disassociation Packet;
3. Have been assigned to restrictive housing Level I (IA) for the previous six months prior to enrollment;
4. Have not received any Level I major disciplinary cases for inmate assault, staff assault, aggressive sexual misconduct, or weapon possession for at least two years prior to enrollment. All other Level 1 major disciplinary cases shall be reviewed on a case by case basis after a period of one year;
5. Have not received any Level 2 or Level 3 major disciplinary cases for at least six months prior to enrollment;
6. The following security precaution designators: Escape (ES), Staff Assault (SA), or Hostage Situation (HS) are reviewed by the State Classification Committee for consideration on an individual case by case basis.
7. Have not previously completed the GRAD process.

GRAD Process is nine (9) months in length:

Phase I (Approximately 2 months)

Curriculum: Substance abuse classes, Alcoholics Anonymous, Chaplaincy videos.

Phase II (Approximately 4 months)

Curriculum: Cognitive intervention, anger management/substance abuse, criminal addictive behavior.

Phase III (Approximately 3 months)

Curriculum: 1/2-day work schedule, laundry, fields, food service, 1/2-day unit programs.

Each group or class represents a mixture of gangs in order to maintain a balance of ethnicity, length of sentence, and other similar demographics, in the process.

Frequently Asked Questions Pamphlet:  English (PDF) or Spanish (PDF)