Mission Statement

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

“The mission of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice is to provide public safety, promote positive change in offender behavior, reintegrate offenders into society, and assist victims of crime.”

Let’s assess how TDCJ is living up to its mission statement.

Provide public safety—Almost all inmates are released from prison once they have served their time or are paroled. Unless they are in better shape when released than when incarcerated, how is public safety promoted? Secondly, what about the condition of the family of the inmate, a family already at risk, during the inmate’s incarceration? Statistics reveal that many children of persons who have been incarcerated are subsequently incarcerated.

Promote positive change in offender behavior—I’ve been going into prison for over ten years, much of that time mentoring men on a one-on-one base for an hour each. In all that time, I can only recall one instance where an inmate shared with me he had participated in a TDCJ program that enhanced his life. Almost all enrichment programs offered in Texas prisons are underwritten and conducted by volunteers.

Reintegrate offenders into society—Inmates in Texas, unlike many other states, are not compensated for the work they do in prison, even though the Texas prison system could not operate without the work of inmates. When released, no matter how long they have served, inmates are given $100. They are required to report to parole on a weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or periodic basis, depending on the severity of their crime and how long they have been paroled. Parole meetings are held in the morning or afternoon hours of the regular work week and take priority over jobs. When an inmate is released, he or she has no driver’s license, no health insurance, no job, no food and is not referred to organizations that can provide help.

Assist victims of crime—I am not aware TDCJ does anything for victims of crime, except incarcerate the perpetrator. Victims of crime need assistance. TDCJ is not the state department to provide that assistance.

I urge you to send an email or write a letter to your federal and state representatives and senators letting them know that you consider prison reform important and urging them to support legislation to treat inmates humanely.