As of June 2019, the release of TDCJ inmates after parole has been granted has slowed significantly, based on interviews I’ve had with clients and TDCJ parole officers.
The slowdown appears to be mainly due to staff shortages at TDCJ. I hope the bottleneck isn’t permanent, but my sources seem skeptical that the issue will be fixed any time soon.
Credit Time
Regardless of classification, TDCJ can only grant good conduct time when an inmate is actively participating in an approved program. Agricultural, vocational, educational, or treatment programs qualify. If TDCJ determines that an inmate is unable to participate in the program, good time credit may still be earned. The availability of programs and efforts to earn credit for good conduct varies from unit to unit. So make sure your loved ones are using what they can.
Your loved ones can earn time for good behavior based on their classification. Each eligible occupant begins with a Line Class I time-gain classification. Inmates can then work up to a higher time-gain status (state-approved trustee); However, TDJC can also downgrade them to a lower line class status where they earn less or no time for good behavior.
“Let’s make sure you can drive tonight.
”
As soon as the driver exits the car, the officer’s body camera and dash cam will record so the footage can capture the interaction (to be used later in the trial, if required). The officer will then explain that they will run some tests just to “make sure you are okay to drive”. Note: The officer will NOT normally ask permission to perform standardized sobriety tasks in the field. He’ll jump right in and hope you’ll just agree. There are 3 standard tests which are explained in more detail on our DWI page.
The 3 standard tests are (1) the HGN test (horizontal gaze nystagmus) which is the “eye test”, (2) the walking and turning test (also known as “walk the line”) , and (3) the one-legged standing test. I don’t have time to go into the many issues with testing, but to list a few:
COVID Pandemic Exception
In spring 2020, the COVID pandemic changed the whole game. . . As a result of the threat posed by COVID to our entire nation, the Attorney General has taken unprecedented action. He cited the CARES Act, which empowers the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to release more people into domestic detention.
When prison inmates felt that the Bureau of Prisons was being too slow in moving people from prison to domestic detention, they filed requests directly with the sentencing judge, invoking a combination of laws, including :