Texas Department of Criminal Justice Strategic Plan: Fiscal Years 2015-2019 Page: 5
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External/Internal Assessment
Overview of Agency Scope and Functions2005 - The 79th Legislature responded to projections of
inmate population growth by appropriating additional
funding for: contract temporary capacity; community
corrections facilities and reduced community supervision
caseloads; and substance abuse treatment for parolees.
The legislature also enacted several measures
significantly impacting TDCJ employees, to include: a 4%
pay raise in FY 2006 followed by an additional 3% pay
raise in FY 2007; an increase in hazardous duty and
longevity pay; a low-interest home loan for employees
drawing hazardous duty; and maintenance of the state's
benefit and retirement package.
Significant criminal justice legislation enacted by the 79th
Legislature included SB 60, making life without the
possibility of parole a sentencing option in capital crimes;
HB 1068, creating the Texas Forensic Science
Commission; and HB 2036, providing for the licensing
and regulation of sex offender treatment providers and
the treatment of sex offenders.
2006-2007 - The TDCJ participated in the Sunset
review process. As enacted by the 80th Legislature, the
Sunset bill (SB 909) made numerous changes to state
law, to include authorizing judges to permit the release
of state felons to medically recommended intensive
supervision, and requiring the Parole Division to
establish a process for identifying low risk offenders who
may be released from supervision. The 80th Legislature
responded to projections of inmate population growth
by appropriating additional funding for numerous
programs designed to reduce recidivism or provide
alternatives to incarceration. The legislature also
enacted several measures impacting TDCJ employees, to
include a 2% pay raise in both FY 2008 and FY 2009, and
an increase in hazardous duty pay for security staff. In
response to SB 1580 enacted by the 80th Legislature, the
agency began implementation of an offender telephone
system offering both prepaid and collect calling options.
In order to consolidate oversight functions involving
contract facilities, TDCJ modified the agency'sorganizational structure by creating the
Contract Monitoring/ Oversight Division.Private Facility
2008-2009 - Inmate population growth peaked during
the summer of 2008, and then began a decline which
continued throughout the remainder of 2008 and 2009.
In September 2008, Hurricane Ike struck the Texas Gulf
Coast and caused considerable damage to Hospital
Galveston, requiring TDCJ, Correctional Managed
Health Care and the partnering universities to
temporarily make alternative arrangements for the
offender population. During the 2009 legislative session,
several actions were taken that impacted TDCJ
employees, especially correctional and parole officers, as
well as unit-based employees. Beginning with their
September 2009 pay, these employees received, on
average, a targeted pay increase of 3.5% in gross monthly
pay, and another targeted 3.5% increase in gross monthly
pay effective September 2010. Employees who were not
recipients of the targeted pay raise received an $800
gross payment during August 2009. Legislation
mandating regional release sites, permitting suspension
and restoration of good time credits, and promoting
successful reentry of releasing offenders was also
enacted. The agency created a new Reentry and
Integration Division based upon the Texas Correctional
Office on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments
(TCOOMMI) model to facilitate the successful transition
of offenders from incarceration to supervision.
2010-2011 - With projections of offender population
growth relatively flat subsequent to the expansion of
treatment and diversion programs, the 82nd Legislature
authorized the closure of the Central Unit in Sugar Land.
In addition, for the first time since the inception of the
state jail system, the 82nd Legislature authorized district
court judges to award diligent participation good time
credit to state jail offenders who diligently participate in
work, academic, and treatment programs.
As a result of budget reductions in FY 2011 and for the
FY 2012-13 biennium, the TDCJ eliminated over 1,000
positions during the spring and summer of 2011,FY ')n 1 S-7(11 A daanrv rrraraair Plan
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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/m1/9/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.