Darcy Vargas says it felt like an early Christmas present when her son Gerald was paroled in early December after serving more than a year in the Texas prison system on drug charges. Once he completed a six-month rehabilitation program, a condition of his release set by the state parole board, Gerald was able to go home. “We were so excited we thought he was going to be out for the summer,” Vargas told me. “We have a job waiting for him and all.”
But that excitement eventually turned to frustration. While the parole board approved Gerald’s release in December, prison officials said the earliest he could begin his required rehabilitation program was February 2020. In March, he was approved to be transferred to another facility to begin the six-month release process, but then COVID-19 struck, disrupting Texas prisons and halting both visits and most inmate transfers. The Sanchez State Penitentiary in El Paso, where Gerald is currently being held, has been closed for more than a month after inmates and staff tested positive for the virus. Then, in late April, officials told Vargas their son would have to wait to start his program.
DWI Attorneys Can Save Your License
When you have a DWI charge, you don’t just have to worry about the charges against you. You also have to worry about your driver’s license. DWI attorneys are well versed in preventing your license from being suspended. You will have a DMV hearing where you will need an attorney to give you the best chance of not having your license suspended. That way, while your case continues, you can still have the semblance of normal life.
It may seem a lot easier to plead guilty, but a DWI can stay with you for years. Pleading guilty to a DWI is a lasting decision that should not be taken lightly. DWI attorneys have specialized knowledge of defense processes and techniques. Hiring an attorney who specializes in DWI fees can save you time and headaches as your case progresses. At Miller law firm, one of our areas of expertise is DWI law. We help you find the best defense for your case and negotiate on your behalf to achieve the best possible outcome. Do not hesitate to call Miller Law Firm today so we can begin investigating your DWI case.
A new study
Last year, as the coronavirus killed hundreds and sickened tens of thousands more in the TDCJ, advocates for prisoners’ rights unsuccessfully petitioned for an expedited release of the thousands of people held in prison parole approved. In a recent study, the University of Texas Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs found that eighteen parole officers died before their scheduled release date from complications directly related to COVID-19. Many were waiting to complete the pre-launch programs that TDCJ had delayed due to the pandemic.
In April, the TDCJ housed nearly 11,000 parole inmates, according to data from the Texas Department of Justice. That’s nine percent of the total prison population in Texas. More than 25 percent received the privilege of parole six months earlier. Almost 900 people have been waiting for his release for more than a year. The parole board, in its sole discretion, may make completion of the programs a condition of parole. These programs last from three to 18 months and can take months to start.
Good Time Credit:
When a federal judge sentences a person to a clearly defined number of months, the person eventually ends up in federal prison. All persons serving sentences for crimes committed after November 1, 1987 serve sentences under a system known as the Comprehensive Crime Suppression Act. Therefore, Title 18 of the United States Code, Section 3585(a) applies to them. This section states that the Bureau of Prisons will award 54 days of credit each year to individuals who comply with all programs and avoid disciplinary infractions.
To earn good time, a person must meet the following criteria: