Texas Department of Criminal Justice Strategic Plan: Fiscal Years 2015-2019 Page: 9
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Texas Department of Criminal justice
External/Internal Assessment
Overview of Agency Scope and FunctionsThe public's perception of the criminal justice system is
oftentimes driven by a combination of facts and
misconceptions that sometimes become myths:
I. MYTH - Inmates are routinely approved for parole;
consequently inmates are released having served only a
small fraction of their sentence (revolving door).
FACT - Today only about one-third of inmates
considered for parole are approved, compared to
eight out of 10 in FY 1990. Whereas inmates
released in FY 1990 served only 20% of their
sentence, inmates now serve nearly 60%, with
violent inmates serving more than 80%.
2. MYTH - If not for liberal good time policies, most
inmates would stay behind bars forever.
FACT - State law has been changed so that good
time credits no longer entitle an inmate to automatic
release (although some inmates still fall under the
old laws). Since the average sentence for inmates
entering the prison system is about eight years, most
inmates will return to society regardless of good
time or parole policies.
3. MYTH - There are numerous escapes from Texas
prisons.
FACT - Historically the rate of escapes from Texas
prisons is low, and during calendar years 2012 and
2013, there were no escapes.
4. MYTH - Country Club Prisons
" Inmates do not work.
FACT - With few exceptions - related to
security, medical, processing, and programming
needs - inmates are required to work pursuant
to state law and agency policy. Inmates often
start their day as early as 3:30 AM in order to
accommodate schedules which include work and
other activities. Inmates work in prison
industries, agriculture, laundry, food service, andother jobs that support the operations of the
prison, while also performing community service
projects.
" Inmates get paid for their labor.
FACT - The state of Texas does not pay wages
to offenders. Only offenders participating in
Prison Industry Enhancement (PIE) Certification
Programs are paid wages by private-sector
companies. Approximately 150 offenders
currently participate in PIE Programs.
" Inmates have cable TV in their cells.
FACT - With very few exceptions, inmates are
not allowed television in their cells. Generally,
inmates with acceptable behavior are allowed to
watch television in day rooms, where 20-to-30
inmates or more may gather around a single TV,
which is controlled by a correctional officer and
paid for by inmate commissary revenues.
5. MYTH - Prisons are warehouses without rehabilitation
programs.
FACT - During the 2012-13 school year, the
Windham School District served over 60,000
offenders with academic, vocational and life skills
programming. Windham enabled over 5,000
offenders to earn a GED certificate. Windham
participants earned approximately 4,600 vocational
certificates and 5,600 industry certificates. Post-
secondary education is available through contracts
with local colleges and universities. Students must
reimburse the state as a condition of parole or
qualify for grants or scholarships, or pay tuition with
personal funds. Thousands of offenders are also
participating in substance abuse treatment programs,
sex offender treatment and education, faith-based
programs or programs developed for youthful
offenders, including programs ranging from intensive
18-month therapeutic communities to volunteer-led
programs; however, the most extensive
programming is targeted for well behaving inmates
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Texas. Department of Criminal Justice. Texas Department of Criminal Justice Strategic Plan: Fiscal Years 2015-2019, report, July 7, 2014; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth639359/m1/13/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.