Texas Prison Fast Facts

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Texas Prison Population  Today at there are an  estimated Texans  Incarcerated in TDCJ System.

• To better understand the above number, you could fill the Dallas Cowboy's Texas Stadium over 2.5 times with all of the inmates currently housed in the TDCJ.

• Currently there are 114 various types of prison facilities in the state of Texas.

• Eight of these prison facilities house female offenders, while the remainder are for male offenders.

• Approximately 164,659 felons were locked up in the state prison system last year.

• 44% or 72,588 inmates have not completed high school.

• Drug and alcohol offenders approach 62,000 inmates or 37% of the entire prison population.

• Less than 4% of the drug and alcohol offenders receive help while incarcerated.

• Only 16,306 or 27% of the 60,000 plus parole cases were approved last year.

• Approximately 37,100 men and women are incarcerated each year for a felony or parole violation.

• 2002 The U.S. Supreme Court declared that executing mentally retarded murderers was unconstitutionally cruel.

• Texas has executed six people with mental retardation since 1982.

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Custody Levels

Custody Levels are determined by behavior, the crime committed, sentence length. Custody Levels indicate unit and work assignment along with who they will be living with. Custody levels change by rule adherence or non-adherence.

G1 - Low Risk. Live in dorms outside a secure area. Can work outside a secure area with minimum unarmed supervision. Outdoor county and city projects.

G4 - Medium 2. Must live in cell. Possibly work outside the security fence under direct armed supervision.

G5 - High Risk. Disciplinary problems. Little to no work outside the security fence.

Maximum - Administrative Segregation. Separate from the general population. Potential dangerous. Leave cell only for showers and little recreation.

GOVERNMENT CODE

CHAPTER 499. POPULATION MANAGEMENT; SPECIAL PROGRAMS

SUBCHAPTER A. PRE-PAROLE TRANSFER

§ 499.025. AWARD OF ADMINISTRATIVE GOOD CONDUCT TIME; ADVANCEMENT OF PAROLE ELIGIBILITY DATE.

(a) If the inmate population of the institutional division reaches 99 percent or more of capacity, the director shall immediately notify the executive director and the board in writing of that fact. Until the inmate population is reduced to less than 99 percent of capacity, the director shall make a weekly written report to the executive director and the board stating the extent to which the inmate population is less than, equal to, or in excess of capacity.

(b) If the inmate population of the institutional division reaches 100 percent of capacity or, if the attorney general has authorized an increase in the permissible percentage of capacity under Section 499.109, the inmate population reaches that increased permissible percentage, the director shall immediately notify the executive director, the board, and the attorney general in writing of that fact. The attorney general shall certify to the board in writing as to whether the institutional division has reached 100 percent of capacity or, if applicable, the increased permissible percentage. If the attorney general certifies that 100 percent of capacity has been reached or, if applicable, that the increased
permissible percentage has been reached, the board shall immediately certify that an emergency overcrowding situation exists and direct the Board of Pardons and Paroles to proceed in the manner described by Subsection

(c). If the Commission on Jail Standards determines that in any county jail in this state there exists an inmate awaiting transfer to the institutional division following conviction of a felony or revocation of probation, parole, or release on mandatory supervision and for whom all paperwork and processing required for transfer have been ompleted for not less than 45 days, the board may direct the Board of Pardons and Paroles to proceed in the manner described by Subsection (c). (c) If the Board of Pardons and Paroles receives a directive from the board under Subsection (b), the Board of Pardons and Paroles acting in parole panels, shall immediately begin to review and consider for early release to intensive supervision parole each eligible inmate who would not at the time of review otherwise be eligible for parole. The board may impose additional criteria for determining which inmates are eligible for release under this subsection. A parole panel may not release an inmate under this subsection if the panel determines that the release of the inmate will increase the likelihood of harm to the public, according to objective parole criteria.

§ 499.027. ELIGIBLE INMATES.
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) and subject to the conditions imposed by this
subchapter, an inmate is eligible under this subchapter to be considered for release to intensive supervision parole if the inmate is awaiting transfer to the institutional division following conviction of a felony or probation revocation and for whom paperwork and processing required for transfer have been completed or is classified as a state approved Trusty I, II, III, or IV, and:

(1) is serving a sentence of 10 years or less;
(2) does not have a history of or has not shown a pattern of violent or assaultive behavior in the institutional division or county jail or prior to confinement; and (3) will not increase the likelihood of harm to the public if released, according to objective parole criteria as determined by a parole panel. (b) An inmate is not eligible under this subchapter to be considered for release to intensive supervision parole if:
(1) the inmate is awaiting transfer to the
institutional division, or serving a sentence, for an offense for which the judgment contains an affirmative finding under Section 3g(a)(2), Article 42.12, Code of Criminal Procedure;
(2) the inmate is awaiting transfer to the
institutional division, or serving a sentence, for an offense listed in one of the following sections of the Penal Code:
(A) Section 19.02 (murder);
(B) Section 19.03 (capital murder);
(C) Section 19.04 ( manslaughter);
(D) Section 20.03 (kidnapping);
(E) Section 20.04 (aggravated kidnapping);
(F) Section 21.11 (indecency with a child);
(G) Section 22.011 (sexual assault);
(H) Section 22.02 (aggravated assault);
(I) Section 22.021 (aggravated sexual assault);
(J) Section 22.04 (injury to a child or an
elderly individual);
(K) Section 25.02 (prohibited sexual conduct);
(L) Section 25.08 (sale or purchase of a child);
(M) Section 28.02 (arson);
(N) Section 29.02 (robbery);
(O) Section 29.03 (aggravated robbery);
(P) Section 30.02 (burglary), if the offense is
punished as a first-degree felony under that section;
(Q) Section 43.04 (aggravated promotion of
prostitution);
(R) Section 43.05 (compelling prostitution);
(S) Section 43.24 (sale, distribution, or
display of harmful material to minor);
(T) Section 43.25 (sexual performance by a
child);
(U) Section 46.10 (deadly weapon in penal
institution);
(V) Section 15.01 (criminal attempt), if the
offense attempted is listed in this subsection;
(W) Section 15.02 (criminal conspiracy), if the
offense that is the subject of the conspiracy is listed in this subsection; or (X) Section 15.03 (criminal solicitation), if the offense solicited is listed in this subsection; or (3) the inmate is awaiting transfer to the institutional division, or serving a sentence, for an offense under Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code, punishable by a minimum term of
imprisonment or a maximum fine that is greater than the minimum term of imprisonment or the maximum fine for a first degree felony.
(c) The department shall provide each county with necessary assistance to enable the county to identify inmates confined in the county jail who may be eligible under this subchapter to be considered for release.

Texas operates one of the largest prison systems in the world. With roughly 450,000 adults on probation, 160,000 in prison, and 130,000 parolees under supervision, 1 of every 20 adults in the state of Texas is currently in prison or on felony probation or parole.

Since the early nineties, Texas has tripled our number of prison beds and filled them to capacity. Much of this expansion came from to increasing prison and probation sentences and an increase in the number of felonies —now topping 1,900—in state law.

This massive prison system consumes over $5 billion dollars every biennium, representing a significant portion of general revenue in the state budget.
Roughly half of the 160,000 Texans in prison are serving time for a nonviolent offense; a quarter are locked up for a drug offense.

Thousands of Texans spend time in prison for petty drug offenses such as possession of trace amounts of drugs. Harris County alone is responsible for half of these drug sentences. These individuals face up to two years in prison, and when they are released encounter legal discrimination when searching for a place to live or a job to support their families. - ACLU

Women Convicts Stats

Women made up 7 percent of all inmates in state and federal prisons last year and accounted for nearly one in four arrests. The increase in arrest for women is due to their increased participation in drug crimes, violent crimes and fraud.

The number of women incarcerated in state and federal prisons in 2004 was up 4 percent compared with 2003, nearly double the 1.8 percent increase among men, the study said. In 1995, women made up 6.1 percent of all inmates in those facilities.

Number of drug offenders in prisons and jails has risen from 40,000 in 1980 to more than 450,000 today. According to FBI figures, law officers in 2004 made more arrests for drug violations than for any
other offense -- about 1.7 million arrests, or 12.5 percent of all arrests.

Preface

Having a loved one in a state prison can be one of the most difficult times a family can experience even more so than a death in the family. In death there is finality, unlike the painfully slow wait of a loved one to return home. Many families can barely exist emotionally and struggle everyday financially to make the ends meet. The reality of these hardships and the deep loneliness will have a profound impact on the quality of life for everyone involved. Families with loved ones incarcerated are prisoners themselves filled with public shame and the heart-torn torment always inside of you.

However there is hope, hope that the inmate has time served and parole eligibility will be a consideration. For thousands of families with loved ones in the "glide path" towards heading home, parole preparation and understanding the process can be the single most important objective for a successful outcome. Family support is the key to this success.

We hope the information and services we provide help you, your loved one and your entire family to recover from the lost time. It does make a difference that you care enough to support your loved one inside. That person inside is very fortunate to have someone trying their best to set them free. God bless and good fortune in your quest.

Introduction

The parole process and parole eligibility is often a confusing topic creating a cloud of misunderstanding with many people simply not knowing where to start to help their family member in prison. Inmates are known to fabricate parole facts to fill-in the knowledge gaps. The parole laws, rules and guidelines continuously change that could have a direct impact on the inmate’s possibility for parole. The above can be damaging and hinder what needs to be done - parole preparation. These lesson plans are designed to "cut-through" the matter and present unbiased fact. The first lesson is a "walk thru" of the definition of the parole process, understanding inmate processing and roughly calculating parole eligibility. It is meant to highlight the major events in the parole maze and not to dwell on Penal and the Criminal Procedure Code details. Our purpose with this lesson and all other lessons is to educate and inform so that the family together can prepare the best case to help the family member on the inside.

So let’s begin …

Parole by definition is simply a reward system, the early release from confinement based on certain conditions being met both inside of prison and outside, in the free world. The word "parole" stems from the French, meaning "promise." A promise to abide by the laws and remain criminally free in exchange for controlled liberty for a set period of time.
Both probation and parole are tied to monitoring programs. But the parolee, unlike the probationer, has served part of a term in a correctional facility. His or her release is contingent upon satisfactory behavior. He or she will spend the remainder of their sentence under supervision of a parole officer and possibly assigned to treatment program(s) an adhere to the release conditions set by the parole board. If an offender serves the entire court ordered sentence and that person is released by the state, no parole supervision is required, unlike the parolee.

Parole is not an unalienable right, it is an earned privilege based on good behavior among other deciding criteria. This privilege is an important point to remember. Many families and inmates feel they are entitled to an early release, only to find out that parole has been "Set off" for another year or more. If states did not offer parole or an early release program, our prison systems would be in severe declining state. If all inmates had to serve out their entire terms their would be little incentive to work, receive voluntary training or treatment. The parole system is a necessary "check and balance" system so that newly inducted felons will have beds and the prison population stays just below the max cap as dictated by the law.

The Five Types of Parole Scenarios

1. Discretionary Parole
2. Mandatory Supervision
3. Shock Probation
4. Parole in Absentia (PIA)
5. Special Needs Parole

Texas along with twenty-two other states allows a 1. Discretionary Parole or a variation of this type of parole. Discretionary parole is allowing an inmate an early release from a mandated prison sentence based on prior and future risk assessment of not returning back to prison coupled with the severity of the crime committed. Offenders are released at the discretion of the Board of Pardons and Paroles. The parolee serves the remainder of his or her sentence in the community under the supervision of the Parole Division of the TDCJ and assigned a parole officer whose job is to monitor compliance with the Parole Board’s release conditions.

2. Mandatory Supervision, also referred to an administrative release, is the direct release to the supervision of the Parole Division of the TDCJ. Prison sentences are determined by the courts based on the standards of law. When a certain amount of calendar, "good time" and work time earned has been served by the inmate, then that inmate is released under the same supervision and conditions as discretionary parole.

However, in 1995 the laws from the 74th Legislature went into effect that changed the scope in the definition of mandatory supervision. If an inmate committed a felony on or after 09/01/96, then release to Mandatory Supervision is no longer considered mandatory. The same parole board that grants or denies parole are now responsible for "discretionary mandatory supervision", an awkward term at best. Both discretionary parole and discretionary mandatory supervision are subject to the same conditions for release.

The third type is called 3. Shock Probation or a.k.a "Boot Camp". The term probation can be misleading in the sense that parole and probation are two totally separate things. But shock probation is basically serving a small amount of prison time i.e., the "shock" of prison life, then released to the community under supervision to get their affairs back in order. Typically no more than a max of 180 days prior to prior to being placed on a felony probation. Of course, "Shock" would be considered the mildest of prison life and adjustment. Shock probation constitutes less than 2% of the Texas inmate population who are released each year by a judge's order and not by a parole board's decision.

4. Parole in Absentia (PIA), the fourth type of parole is probably the most misunderstood. PIA, is a release for parole-eligible offenders who are serving sentences in out-of-state prisons, federal facilities, or most typically, Texas state and county jails. These offenders have served enough time to be considered for parole prior to entry into the TDCJ. Parole in Absentia constitutes between 1 and 2 % of the total parole releases in recent years. However, in the early ninety's the percentages were much higher, in the 10 to 12% range due to the overcrowding issues prior to the prison building boom.

And the last parole type is 5. Special Needs Parole. The 1991 Legislature established a special needs parole program to help avoid the high cost of medical care for older inmates and those with significant medical problems. The Texas Council on Offenders with Mental Impairments (TCOMI) administers this program; eligible offenders include elderly, terminally ill, mentally ill, mentally retarded, and physically handicapped inmates. Violent offenders and those who used a weapon in their offense (“3G” inmates) are not eligible. Presently, the Board of Pardons and Paroles cannot release 3G offenders for special needs parole even if they are physically incapacitated and near death.

In the late nineties, 3,213 inmates were potentially eligible for release on special needs parole. TCOMI screened 922 cases and presented 115 to the parole panel. Ultimately, 51 were approved for release, and only one was elderly.No mentally ill or mentally retarded inmates were approved for special needs parole. Presently, Texas has no alternative facilities outside of TDCJ for mentally ill and mentally retarded inmates.

In fiscal 1998, 95 offenders died during the special needs parole review process. The majority of inmates now being considered for special needs parole are terminally ill and within six months of dying. Current guidelines specify that two doctors must make an independent assessment and certify that the inmate is terminally ill.

Sources: Criminal Justice Policy Council and Texas Council on Offenders with Mental Impairment

Texas Inmates with Significant Medical Conditions, Fiscal 1999
HIV-positive	2,596
AIDS	1,000+
Hepatitis C	3,387
Tuberculosis	57
Coronary Artery Disease	1,900
Cancer	*N/A
Asthma	7,800
Hypertension	16,800
Diabetes - Type I	2,501
Diabetes - Type II	2,500
Inmates on Dialysis	180
Physically Handicapped	170

* The number of inmates with cancer is not available. Recent years are similar in numbers

Tip For the complete report from the Criminal Justice Policy Council on Special Needs Parole, [Click Here]

The Parole Board reviews each inmate at the time of eligibility to determine if a conditional release is granted along with any stipulations that must be met by the parolee in order to maintain their freedom. Parole stipulations can range from attending various support groups and regular drug testing to keeping a job and refrain from associating with certain people and places. Lesson Six goes into further detail identifying voting options and various conditions that need to be met by the parolee.

Now let’s discuss the steps prior to parole and the information that is now attached to the inmate going forward. This section is important because it gives the parole student an understanding of how the state prepares the inmate's file for later review.

Processing the Inmate after the Courts

After the court of conviction has sentenced the person to serve time, the date of sentencing is established. This first date of sentencing can be set while in county jail lock up waiting to be transferred and assigned to a Texas prison unit. The county sends the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) a packet containing the offender’s conviction records which can include but not limited to the follow items below. The information is entered into the State Ready System.

• The Judgment
• Offense Summary
• Arrest Record for each Offense
• Pre/Post - sentence investigation report
• Victim Impact Statement, if applicable
• Other relevant documents concerning the inmate’s history

Transfer Facilities Operations

Upon entry, inmates are photographed and finger printed for identification and travel purposes and issued an Offender Identification Badge. A battery of tests are administered to determine education and (IQ) intelligence levels. Any individual testing at or below sixth grade reading comprehension will be required to attend the Windham School, a correctional education facility. Physicals and diagnostic interviews complete the enrollment process. This initiation process determines classification, work detail and other items such as supervisory levels, housing assignment and treatment assistance. After the initiation process, each inmate is placed in prison orientation where he or she is presented with the policies and rules of the TDCJ. This processing scenario is similar to all out of state prison facilities as well.

The State Classification Committee (SCC) is responsible for assigning the offender to one of the prison units based on age, prior prison history, offense, educational and work related needs. Inmates do not have the right to choose a prison facility, that potentially can come later but an official request and proper forms will need to be filled out. The Unit Classification Committee (UCC) will evaluate the inmate and establish an initial custody level, typically an SI1 and assign the work detail. All capable inmates will work while incarcerated.

In general, the inmate will stay at the assigned unit to fulfill sentence obligation until parole is granted or the sentence term has been expired and are directly discharged.

However, if the inmate is considered a security threat, a gang member, expect that inmate to move around from prison to prison to potentially diffuse gang association or placed in harsh prison conditions under difficult administration segregation or solitary confinement.

Tip It is important to begin a parole file at this time.  Use a simple folder to keep all court documentation, correspondence and letters together in order, in one spot. 

The inmate and a key family member should begin securing copies of the sentencing and court records for each offense if you do not already have this information.  This information is located at the County Court House where sentencing took place.  The District Clerk’s office typically houses these records.  Some offices charge a copy fee anywhere from a $1.00 per page to $10.00 for the service and accept cash only. It is advisable to call the District's Clerk's office first to have them pull the files before your arrival. Be sure to ask the cost for the service before hand.

Also, you can retrieve the inmate’s conviction records by visiting the Texas Department of Public Safety, Crime Records Services web site at http://records.txdps.state.tx.us or click on Conviction Database Link below.

Conviction Database

You will need to create a login ID and a password to begin accessing the database.  Also there is a $3.15 plus tax charge for each search you do.  Make sure you spell the inmate’s name correctly and the date of birth accurately.  You will be charged for mistakes.  Print and file away this information in your parole plan folder.

Parole Eligibility Guidelines and Who is Eligible
Inmates convicted of a capital offense and sentenced to death are not eligible for parole as well as those assigned to a state jail facility. State jail inmates can not serve more than two years in jail or not less than 180 days. All other inmates are considered for parole sometime during their life in prison. Depending on the felony offense some inmates must serve a specified amount of time prior to parole eligibility. For example, person convicted of selling or distributing a controlled substance, i.e., marijuana in a Drug-Free Zone must serve a minimum of five years or the maximum sentence, whichever is the less. This is typically called flat or calendar time.

Parole Tip Parole eligibility is directly related to Texas legislation and the laws determined by legislation can change when in session every odd ending year. The key to remember is when the crime was committed with the current laws in effect will dictate parole eligibility.

A Sample of Eligibility Scenarios from 09/01/99 to Present

For the complete and comprehensive Eligibility Chart please click on the Eligibility Chart Link below:

Eligibility Chart

Parole Tip   The inmate and family members should begin the paper work on the parole plan one year or more prior to the eligibility date of the parole review process.  

It is important to have an understanding when the inmate is eligible for a parole hearing. Parole eligibility or the projected release date is determined by two things, the date when the crime was committed and the crime itself. Every other year State Legislature goes into session to make and revise laws under the Texas Constitution. This is important to know since laws concerning crime and punishment seem to change with each new legislature. For example, a crime committed in 1999 may have different sentence stipulations than the same crime committed in 2004. Some of the more severe crimes committed such an aggravated robbery must serve a mandatory amount of time without any "good" time applied.

The Parole Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice tracks all eligibility with every inmate in consideration. They must take into account the inmate's time served "the flat time" plus "the good time" accrued plus any work time earned. The " good" time is awarded to those based mainly on positive behavior in:

•   Work Detailed Assigned
•   Academic Studies and a Willingness to Participate
•   Vocational or Employment Training and Completion
•   Special Programs to Complete as Identified in the ITP (Individual Treatment Plan)
•   Faith-Based Course Participation and Completion
•   Distance Learning and Remote Correspondence Courses

Understanding Classifications and the "Good Time" Equations

Good Time Fact: All TDCJ inmates except capital murder and death row inmates, can and will accrue good time regardless of when the offense was committed and the offense itself. Now depending on when the crime was committed and the crime itself will determine if the good time will be applied to the flat time concerning parole eligibility.

TDCJ Entry Fact: All TDCJ Inmates are classified as a Line Class 1 upon entry to the TDCJ, regardless of when the offense was committed and the offense itself. All Line Class 1 inmates earn 20 "good time" days for every 30 calendar days that can or can not be applied to the parole eligibility date again depending on the time of offense and the offense itself.

Parole Violators and Prior Class Status Fact: Any person returning to the TDCJ because of a parole violation will not retain prior class status unless they were a Line Class 1 upon leaving the TDCJ.

A State Approved Trustee Level # 1 is the highest classification one can receive while incarcerated in the TDCJ Myth:. Bunk, there is no such classification at this time.

The Good Time versus Classification Status

1. Line Class 3 - The lowest assigned classification level. Consistent and strong disciplinary actions. No "good time" credit awarded at Line Class 3.
   
2. Line Class 2 - Typically a demotion to this classification level due to a major disciplinary infraction. Possible evaluation of a class change within one year of the infraction providing no change in disciplinary status. 10 "good time" days for every 30 calendar days incarcerated, are awarded.
   
3. Line Class 1 - Classified upon TDCJ entry. No disciplinary infraction will earn 20 "good time" days for every 30 calendar days incarcerated. Automatic promotion to State Approved Trustee status in six to eight months providing there are no disciplinary actions.
   
4. State Approved Trustee 4 - is a privileged status offering certain perks that line class status are not afforded. A SAT4 is awarded 25 "good time" days for every 30 calendar days incarcerated.
   
5. State Approved Trustee 3 - a promotion from SAT4 offering additional status recognition and privileges. A SAT3 is awarded day for day another words 30 "good time" days for every 30 calendar days incarcerated.
   
6. State Approved Trustee 2 - a promotion from SAT3 offering the highest status recognition and privileges. A SAT2 is awarded the same as a SAT3 day for day.

Program Participation Credits or work detail can be accumulated as well. If an inmate is attending school, vocational programs, faith-based classes or involved in work assignments, they can receive up to 15 days of credit for every 30 days incarcerated. So theoretically, an inmate can obtain a maximum of 30 "good time" and 15 "participation" days for every 30 days incarcerated. The math is simple, 8 months of maximum good time plus participation time would equal 1 full year of calendar time. So an inmate could potentially knock down 20 months of sentence time obligation in one calendar year! Not too many other states offer such an incentive.

Department policy spells out in detail the requirements by which an offender may be pro-moted/demoted to and from the above time-earning promotion categories and custody levels for determining good-conduct time eligibility, with any change in classification having to be recommended by the Unit Classification Committee and approved by the State Classification Committee.

Offenders who are not capable of participating in work or school programs (i.e., those on furlough or bench warrant, going through classification, in transient status and housing or those with special needs) are exempt from participation requirements and are awarded the maximum amount of good-conduct time each month based on their time-earning status, to include 15 days of diligent participation credit.

Class Determination, Restrictions and Ineligibility
For as long as offenders are in administrative segregation, they are awarded only the amount of good-conduct time based on their time-earning status. They may not be awarded the diligent participation credit. An offender placed in pre-hearing detention may not earn good-conduct time credits while in that status. Offenders who are placed on cell restriction for any violation are required to participate in their assigned work, or treatment or school programs in order to be awarded good-conduct time. Those on special cell restriction (not allowed to leave their cells to participate in such programs) will earn no good-conduct time while on that restriction. While in solitary confinement, offenders shall not be awarded any good-conduct time or diligent participation good-conduct time.

Offenders found guilty of a disciplinary offense (see also Loss and Restoration of Credit) resulting in a minor penalty are not precluded from being reviewed or considered for promotion in their time-earning status. However, minor cases may be considered in making decisions regarding status promotion. Offenders guilty of major penalties may not be reviewed or considered for promotion in class for a period of 12 months from the date of the offense.

Consecutive Sentences
When two or more sentences for offenses committed on or after September 1, 1987, are to be served consecutively, each sentence shall be considered as a single sentence for purposes of the application of good-conduct time credit determining an offender’s parole eligibility date. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles will designate the date on which one sentence in the series “ceases to operate,” and the offender then begins the next sentence in the series.

Calendar time served and good-conduct time accrued during one sentence in the series cannot be used to determine the date on which a subsequent sentence in the series ceases to operate or the offender’s parole eligibility from the last sentence in the series begins. The sum of the consecutive sentences shall be considered as a single sentence for purposes of the application of good-conduct time in determining the date on which the offender is eligible for release to mandatory supervision.

Loss and Restoration of Credit
Good-conduct time may be forfeited as a result of disciplinary rule violations and shall not be restored. Additionally, good-time credit shall be forfeited by an offender upon a final state or federal court order dismissing as frivolous or malicious a lawsuit brought by the offender. The amount of good-conduct time an offender is subject to forfeit is 60 days of an offender’s accrued good-conduct time if the TDCJ has previously received one final order; 120 days of time for two final orders; and 180 days of time for three or more final orders received.

Tip To find out the classification of your family member you call the Huntsville Classification Department at 936-437-6231. Be sure to have the TDCJ # available. Also, inmate can file I-60 request if they believe there is a discrepancy on their timesheets.

Prison unit management assigns the "good" time and the Office of Records and Classifications is responsible for tracking an inmates total time. This composite of time served, is a percentage of the total time against the sentence length. As the percentage of time served approaches the sentence time, the Parole Division's computer system kicks out those eligible within six months of a projected hearing date. The parole process begins. The inmate's file is now on the move from an Austin warehouse to the assigned parole office.