SPECIAL PROGRAMS

SPECIALIZED CASELOADS

Intensive Community Supervision Specialized Caseload Program

Specialized caseloads provide specialized supervision for high-risk offenders.  This department has developed specific units to most effectively supervise these types of offenders.

High Risk Caseloads - Offenders who are extremely high risk with histories of violent or assaultive offenses are assigned to these caseloads.  Electronic Monitoring is an additional sanction that may be imposed.  Frequent contact is made with families, employers, and law enforcement and treatment agencies that address substance abuse and anger management.  These offenders are directed into cognitive classes, job training, and GED testing to aid them in redirecting their behavior.

Mental  Health Caseloads - This program is operated in cooperation with the Gulf Coast Center, the regional mental health/mental retardation agency.  The program teams a probation officer and a qualified mental health professional to coordinate and provide supervision and mental health services.  This program designed to supervise those who have a mental health diagnosis and who meet the requirements established by TCOOMI (Texas Correctional Office on Offenders With Medical and Mental Impairments).  A defendant is placed in the program at the discretion of this department to provide intensive supervision and to access and coordinate mental health services with the local mental health authority.  A defendant in this program is expected to cooperate with medication and counseling services through the Gulf Coast Center and with the supervising probation officer.

Sex Offender Caseloads - Offenders who are on community supervision for a sex offense are placed by the court in the Sex Offender Treatment Program.  This program provides intensive supervision of the offender by the supervising probation officer and the treatment provider who works closely as a team in monitoring the activities of the offender.  The offender is required to attend weekly sex offender group sessions and monthly individual counseling sessions.  The offender is required to pay at least half of the cost of treatment.  The offender must submit and pass annual polygraph examinations and complete all assignments of the treatment program.  In addition to the defendant's attendance at weekly group, the supervising officer must have a minimum of three face-to-face contacts with the defendant each month.  The supervising officer will provide information and assist the offender to complete state mandated registration procedures.

Substance Abuse Caseloads - Multiple DWI and/or drug offenders are court-ordered into the program for a minimum of one year.  Offenders in the program are required to attend AA or NA regularly and submit to regular drug testing.  The offender must attend and complete several classes including the Victim Impact Panel and the DWI Intervention Program.  The offender is provided intensive supervision which includes additional face-to-face contacts with the supervising officer.  The supervising officer will monitor the installation and continued use of the court-ordered vehicle ignition interlock device.

Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Facility (SAFPF) Caseloads - Offenders are court-ordered to attend and successfully complete the Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Facility.  In addition, the offender is required to participate in and complete outpatient aftercare in the community for up to eighteen months following successful discharge from SAFPF.  The supervising officer and the outpatient treatment program work as a team to break the cycle of addiction through intensive supervision and contact that includes regular drug testing and additional face-to-face contacts with the supervising officer.

The facilities are operated behind prison walls.  The program lasts approximately six months.  While incarcerated here, clients attend classes, group counseling and group processing.  The program is aimed at getting clients to realize how significant chemicals are in their lives and what can be done to accept responsibility and change their behavior.  This is the most intense chemical dependency treatment program available in the world of corrections.

Once the lock-up portion of the program has been completed (six months), the client goes to a half-way house or transitional treatment center.  During this phase, the probationer must get a job and begin to get used to the increasing hours of free time in the community.  All of this will be followed by six to nine months of aftercare counseling.  This counseling helps clients deal with relapse prevention issues and other problems that are likely to arise with this high-risk population once they return to the community.  A Special (Intensive) Probation Officer who is familiar with the regimen of these treatment facilities supervises the year of aftercare counseling.

Operation Habilitation Caseloads - This program is designed to provide case management for primarily youthful offenders ages 17 to 24 years.  Supervision involves a community-based interagency task force which assists in the evaluation, development, and implementation of a plan of supervision.  A cognitive behavioral program - "Thinking for Change" is utilized.

Domestic Violence Caseloads - This caseload is designed to give specialized supervision to offenders charged with assaultive family violence.  Offenders are required to complete a court ordered education/process group for batterers.

BI Profile Caseload - This program is available to low risk probationers under direct supervision.  Supervision involves offenders reporting monthly by telephoning a 1-800 number and providing specific requested information.  Offenders report to a supervision officer in person every 90 days instead of every 30 days.