TDCJ News
Summary of Approved Funding Decisions in SB1 & HB500 of the 89th Legislative Session
July 2, 2025
Statement from Executive Director Bryan Collier
During the last few months, we worked closely with State leadership and their staff as they considered our requests for additional items of policy and operational significance for the FY 2026-27 biennium.
The conference committees’ funding decisions for Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) have been approved by the 89th Legislature and both bills have been signed by the Governor. We are grateful for these funding decisions and look forward to implementation. Below is a summary of these decisions.
Capital and Infrastructure:
- Provides $214.8 million in additional funding for major repair and renovation projects in FY 2026-27, as well as $301 million to construct 14 expansion dorms, $4.5 million to construct an employee dormitory at the Clements Unit, $37 million for water projects at the Hobby Unit and Memorial Unit, $22.8 million for additional infirmary capacity, and $30 million for repairs to Hospital Galveston.
- Provides $258.3 million for agency systems, equipment, and vehicles. Specifically, a learning management system for staff development, training center equipment, vehicle replacements, telephone system upgrades, video surveillance equipment replacement, broadband expansion, integration solutions for the Comptroller’s Centralized Accounting and Payroll/Personnel System, security enhancements to the inmate telephone system, a Crime Management System for the Office of Inspector General, and for the Corrections Information Technology System (CITS) 2.0.
Probation:
- Provides funding levels for felony and misdemeanor probation supervision based on the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) January 2025 population projections.
- Provides $23.2 million in additional funding to maintain residential and non-residential treatment programs at current operational levels.
- Provides $23.2 million for an increase in employee salaries and $25 million for pretrial diversion programs.
- Provides $0.9 million for the Battering Intervention and Prevention Program.
TCOOMMI:
- Maintains FY 2024-25 funding levels for mental health services and continuity of care for adult and juvenile offenders and provides funding for 90 dual diagnosis beds.
Incarceration, Treatment, and Health Care:
- Provides funding for a 10% pay raise for correctional staff (correctional officers, ranking officers, laundry and food service managers).
- Provides an additional $63.4 million to maintain current operational levels of food, fuel, and utilities at increased prices and $52.6 million for unit maintenance.
- Provides $34 million for initiatives to address correctional officer staffing.
- Provides $190 million to re-open previously idled units.
- Provides funding to maintain current operational levels for contracted treatment programs and facilities.
- Provides funding for TDCJ to staff and operate seven facilities (Bridgeport, Kyle, Coleman, B. Moore, Bradshaw, Lindsey, and Willacy) that are currently privately-operated.
- Maintains current funding levels for rehabilitation and reentry programs such as chaplaincy, reentry transitional coordinators, substance use treatment programs, and the sex offender treatment program.
- Provides an additional $304.6 million to maintain inmate health care and an additional $4.4 million to operate the Bell Unit as an Outpatient Mental Health Facility.
- Provides funding for the purchase and operations of the Giles Dalby Correctional Facility in Post, Texas.
Parole:
- Provides funding for a 15% pay raise for parole officers.
- Provides staffing and funding for parole supervision based on the LBB January 2025 population projections.
- Provides funding to maintain FY 2024-25 operational levels for contract residential reentry centers and intermediate sanction facility beds.
Other Agency Functions:
- Provides $20 million for targeted salary adjustments to improve staffing levels.
- Provides a 6% pay raise for certain attorney salaries.
- Provides $9.3 million to enhance Employee Support Services and expand training programs, as well as $7 million for information technology staffing enhancements.
- Maintains staffing and funding levels for all other administrative and support functions (such as Central Administration, Office of Inspector General, State Counsel for Offenders, and Health Services).
- Provides funding for projected Data Center Services for FY2026-27.