RELEASE:

            When the time for release from prison draws near, the offender who is eligible for parole, is interviewed by the institutional parole officer to determine residence and employment plans.

            Most offenders are released from regional release sites, releasing them closer to their county of conviction, residence or approved release county.

            All male offenders with a detainer, classified as sex offenders, have special conditions of Super Intensive Supervision Program (SISP) or Electronic Monitoring imposed by the Board of Pardons and Paroles are released from the Huntsville Unit.

            Female offenders are released from Gatesville.

            Releases from all facilities occur
            between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
            on Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

            Each offender is given a set of civilian clothing and a bus voucher,
            in addition to the remaining balance in the individual’s trust fund account.

            Offenders released to parole or mandatory supervision receive a $50.00 gate check and
            will receive another $50.00 check upon reporting to their parole officer.

            Offenders that complete their sentence in the Correctional Institutions Division
            (flat discharge) receive a $100.00 gate check when released.

            State Jail offenders are released from the unit in which they are incarcerated, or given a bus voucher to the county of residence. State Jail offenders do not receive money upon release (Texas Government Code, Section 501.015 (b)).


          Parole - How to Pick up a Love One from Huntsville

            1. Date given to Inmate is nearly always right on and the law calls for them to have to be released by midnight of the date they are to be released...Release coordinator -'Specific Date' 1-936-291-2092: Note the Date Can Not BE SET UP Until the release plan is verified...that means if the Parolee is coming to your home a Parole Officer will come out or call to verify that the Inmate is to be released there.

            Austin Number on the parole is 1-512-406-5299

            a. The sheriff will be waiting outside to pick them up if they have anything outstanding warrants against them....these are released first.

            2. The release times for Inmates if 10:00am and 1:00pm

            a. Expect a delay usually about an hour or so

            3. The BIG Brass Double Doors on the front of the building is one area they come out of but when you look up the hill there is a door at the end that they come out of.

            4. Almost directly across from the Double Doors, there is a building with nearly all glass, like a big screen in porch...this is what you see on the news when the reporters are there waiting on executions.

            a. The experienced waiters in this room bring snacks and games like card/dominos to pass the time because it is stressful waiting or take something to read if you can concentrate.

            b. The building behind this building is the Administration building that we all know as P.O. Box 99 Huntsville....you can go in there to use the restroom....sort of look around while you are there too.

            5. If you travel far enough to spend the night, contact the Hospitality House (936) 291-6196; 912 10th Street, Huntsville, TX 77320; Email: hosphse@TruCom.net
            Contact: Bob Norris, Agency Head; Chaplain-Director
            Area Served: Huntsville; Parent Organization:
            Texas Baptist Prisoner Family Ministry Foundation
            Provides overnight lodging, information and referrals, gifts for children, religious ministry, technical assistance, and family reunification support.

            6. If you will call the Huntsville Unit, you can set up a visitation with your love one on Saturday or Sunday and this will let him/her know you are there and will be waiting. It is only a regular visit, but you can send in snacks from the machine so take your change. 1-936-437-1555 (Warden's Office ext. 1975)

            7. If the Inmate is being released for Parole, they have to report into the Parole Office by 9am the next morning. For those that travel far, this is a major chore and you will be worn out.

            a. If electronic monitor required, the owner of the house having the Monitor installed, has to go in to sign the papers, plus the Inmate has to give a two week itinary so he/she needs to write that out, like get driver licenses, go to doctor, have to get a hair cut, go get clothes, go to church, go out to eat (most of the parole officers will not allow you to go out to eat accept for special occasions while on the monitor.

            1. Be sure when the monitor is installed that you have the installed to give you the following:

            (a) time check with your clocks

            (b) a area (distance) check as far as that person can go = boundaries

            (c) the parole officer will tell you not to answer the phone that the monitor is hooked up to, but the People in Austin says to ALWAYS answer in case there is a problem with the monitor, if you hear clicking on the line to quickly hang up because the monitor is downloading a report

            (d) the parole should always keep a journal, when report who to, test done, paid fees, anything out of the way said or statements made as to threats etc....keep this confidential just have in case have to use it.

            (e) wise to go to Radio Shack get one of the phone attachments to records calls, have a recorder, anything the PO calls record, document the date and time on the tape. If more parolees will start doing this so they can call the PO to accountability and responsibility then maybe some of the abuse in the system will stop. Also know the law says that recordings can be made without the knowledge of the other person, only one person has to know it is being recorded and this is you the recorder.

            (f) Also a video camcorder can be most beneficial as to the coming ins and outs when on a monitor ....the channel on the TV that is the TV Guide, at the beginning gives the City, Date and Time, this is something that can not be munipulated from the household. Then have the person to stand by it and take it coming and going plus state where he/she is headed.

            b. Be sure if something happens that delay your arrival to the parole office be sure to get a receipt with the name of the place, date, and time on it like having a flat, vehicle breaks down if you don't they can send them back to prison. Also this should be done anytime the Parolee is reporting on his/her parole and have a problem....documentation can stop a lot of the abuse that goes on in the parole office.

            BE SAFE ON THE TRAVEL... because the anxiety level gets us off track so be extra careful and always buckle-up.




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