Parole Division
I. Parole Division
Specialized Programs
The Specialized Programs section serves to enhance clients’ reintegration through the development and delivery of effective programming. Comprehensive services include in-house training and the use of community resources often supplemented with the incorporation and use of other contracted and non-contracted services. Depending on the type of program and community assistance programs available in the area, classes/groups can be self-pay, subsidized or at no-cost to the client.
Project COPE (Community Opportunity Programs in Education) is a community-based program available to clients with a need for educational services. Clients are assessed while in the Correctional Institutions Division (CID). If the assessment is below a 6.9 Educational Achievement (EA) score, the client is referred to adult basic education classes. Texas Education Agency (TEA) assumes the major responsibility for adult education.
The Sex Offender (SO) program provides specialized treatment and supervision for sex offenders. Clients are identified and supervised on a sex offender caseload if they have a current or prior sex offense conviction, a juvenile sex offense adjudication, or an offense with sexual elements and display a failure to exercise control and require sex offender treatment. Parole officers with specialized training collaborate with treatment providers including Licensed Sex Offender Treatment Providers and Polygraph Examiners and/or other specialists to provide treatment and resources.
The Substance Abuse Counseling Program (SACP), an education, intervention, and treatment program began in September 2005. SACP was designed to reduce the recidivism rate of clients who use alcohol/drugs while on community supervision, have a history of substance abuse, or who request assistance with addiction related issues during their time on supervision. Upon release from the CID, eligible clients attend a Relapse Prevention Class where they receive guidance selecting a support group, information on how to manage cravings, and develop their own Relapse Prevention Plan. Parole Division Counselors (PDCs), employed by the Parole Division and licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services, provide additional relapse prevention and treatment services. Clients with more extensive needs are referred to outpatient treatment services provided by contracted treatment vendors. Clients who do not comply with outpatient treatment services may be eligible for residential treatment in the SACP-Intermediate Sanction Facility (ISF) and graduates receive post-release continuum of care and support services.
The Therapeutic Community (TC) program provides a range of therapeutic, outpatient, and resource programs for clients with a history of substance abuse needs. This involves the coordination and utilization of other interrelated programming to address the treatment needs of assigned clients. The program provides a continuum of care and is based on the participants’ progress and needs. Parole officers with specialized training collaborate with treatment providers to provide treatment and resources.
The District Reentry Center (DRC) provides rehabilitative programs for eligible clients in the following areas: substance abuse education/services, Battering Intervention and Prevention, domestic violence, anger management, pre-employment and Victim Impact Panel (VIP) classes. A distinguishing feature is the emphasis on increased accountability for program participation. Parole officers respond to any non-compliance immediately for the purposes of reengagement in programming. The collaborative efforts of parole officers, community partnership assistants, volunteers, and the client’s support system provide a positive vehicle to the client’s reintegration process.
The Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative Program (SVORI) targets clients releasing from Administrative Segregation in the Estelle Unit. Those meeting the qualifying criteria voluntarily participate in a six-month, in-cell, pre-release program, referred to as Phase I. Phase I includes, but is not limited to, anger management, cognitive intervention, substance abuse programming and life skill classes. After successfully completing Phase 1, the participant releases, reports to a District Reentry Center (DRC) and participates in an aftercare component referred to as Phase II. Phase II programming includes cognitive intervention programming, substance abuse education, anger management, employment preparation, and Victim Impact Panel (VIP). SVORI clients releasing to the following counties will be placed in Phase II: Bexar, Dallas, El Paso, Harris, Hidalgo, Jefferson, Lubbock, McLennan, Nueces, Tarrant, and Travis.
The Special Needs Offender Program (SNOP) maximizes the supervision and treatment of clients diagnosed with mental impairments (MI), intellectual development disorder (IDD), terminal illness (TI), a physical  handicap (PH), and medically recommended intensive supervision (MRIS) by providing specialized supervision. Parole officers with specialized training and a reduced caseload will collaborate with treatment providers including the Local Mental Health Authority (LMHA) and/or other specialists to establish a complete treatment/supervision plan.
II. Parole Division
Contract Information by Type
Contracted Programs
With over 20 years of combined experience in the privatization of community corrections, Specialized Programs has developed and refined programs to maximize the benefits of available resources.
Specialized Programs uses contracted for-profit, non-profit companies and governmental agencies to ensure that the Parole Division's mission is accomplished. Contracts cover sex offender counseling, polygraph examinations, and drug and alcohol testing.
Counseling and polygraph services are subsidized by the Parole Division, making the client responsible for partial payment based on their ability to pay. Currently, there are contracts among different locations that provide subsidized counseling for clients throughout Texas.
To assist with clients who have special mental health needs, the section and the Texas Correctional Office on Clients with Medical or Mental Impairments (TCOOMMI) have contracts with Local Mental Health Authorities (LMHA) to provide case management and rehabilitative services. TCOOMMI also contracts with other LMHA centers throughout the state and parole officers have access to case management and treatment services for MI/IDD clients.
For more information contact Specialized Programs:
Lela Smith
Director of Specialized Programs
8610 Shoal Creek Blvd.
Austin, TX 78757
Phone: (512) 406-5778
Contract Information by Type