SPECIAL PROGRAMS

SPECIALIZED CASELOADS

Specialized caseloads provide specialized intensive supervision.  This department has developed specific programs to most effectively supervise these types of individuals.

High Risk Caseloads - Individuals who are high risk, or with histories of violent or assaultive offenses may be assigned to these caseloads.  Electronic Monitoring is an additional response 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 individuals could be ordered to complete cognitive classes, counseling, and GED testing to aid them in redirecting their behavior.

Exit Caseloads - These caseloads are comprised of individuals who have successfully completed the intense caseloads. The High Risk Exit Caseload consists of those who are exited off of the Sex Offender and High Risk Caseloads. This program also includes sex offenders who are currently on supervision for other offenses. The Substance Use Exit caseload consists of individuals who have completed Drug and DWI Court Program, Substance Use, Co-Occurring, and Mental Health Caseloads. 

Mental Health Caseloads - This program is operated in cooperation with the Gulf Coast Center, the regional mental health/mental retardation agency, as well as private providers.  The program teams a community supervision officer and a qualified mental health professional to coordinate and provide supervision and mental health services.  This program is designed to supervise those who have a mental health diagnosis and who meet the requirements established by TCOOMMI (Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments).  An individual is placed in the program to provide intensive supervision, including additional office and home visits, and to access and coordinate mental health services with mental health professionals.  An individual in this program is expected to cooperate with medication and counseling services through providers and with the community supervision officer.

Sex Offender Caseloads - Individuals 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 individual by the supervision officer and the treatment providers who work closely as a team in monitoring the activities of the individual. They must submit and pass annual polygraph examinations and complete all assignments of the treatment program. The supervising officer will provide information and assist the individual to complete state mandated registration procedures.

Re-Entry Caseload – This is a special program for individuals who have completed a residential program, or a Community Corrections Treatment Facility (Substance Abuse Treatment Facility, Court Residential Treatment Center, or Intermediate Sanction Facility). Individuals in this program are provided with intensive supervision and are required to attend peer support meetings regularly, as well as supportive aftercare treatment services. Individuals are required to submit to regular drug tests and additional office and home visits.

Substance Use Caseload - Individuals are court-ordered into the program until discharged by the court. They are provided with intensive supervision including additional office and home visits. Individuals in the program are required to complete a substance use assessment, follow all recommendations and submit to regular drug testing.

Co-Occurring Caseload - Individuals are court-ordered into the program until discharged by the court. This program is for individuals who have a mental health diagnosis, but also have substance use issues. All individuals are required to complete a substance use assessment and follow all recommendations. They are provided with intensive supervision including additional office and home visits. Individuals in the program are required submit to regular drug testing.

Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Facility (SAFPF) Caseloads - Individuals are court-ordered to attend and successfully complete the Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Facility program for up to eighteen months.  The supervision officer and the treatment providers work as a team to break the cycle of addiction.

The SAFPF program works in conjunction with TDCJ facilities.  The program lasts approximately six to nine months.  While incarcerated here, individuals attend classes, group counseling and group processing.  The program is aimed at getting individuals to realize how significant chemicals are in their lives and what can be done to accept responsibility and change their behavior. 

Once the lock-down portion of the program has been completed, the individual goes to a transitional treatment center.  During this phase, they 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 supportive aftercare counseling.  This counseling helps the individual deal with relapse prevention issues and other problems that could arise with individuals once they return to the community. Individuals are provided with intensive supervision including additional office and home visits. Individuals in the program are required to attend peer support meetings regularly and submit to regular drug testing.

Recovery (DWI) Court - The Recovery (DWI) Court Program is a specialized court docket designated to handle individuals with multiple DWI convictions. The program is a minimum of eighteen (18) months, divided into four (4) phases, during which the individuals are intensively supervised by the community supervision officer and required to appear in front of the Recovery (DWI) Court Judge on a regular basis. Individuals placed in the program are ordered by the court to attend weekly peer support meetings, participate in substance use treatment, and random urinalysis testing. They are also required to secure and maintain an alcohol monitoring device (Ignition Interlock, In-Home, or SCRAM device). All of the requirements work toward the ultimate goals of public safety, maintaining sobriety, and reducing recidivism. The Recovery (DWI) Court program will foster a change in thoughts and perceptions about the seriousness of impaired driving, its dangers, costs, and negative effects on individuals, families, and the community as a whole. A team of individuals are involved in the supervision of each participant.

Drug Court - The Drug Court Program is a specialized court docket designated to handle individuals with substance use issues. The program is eighteen (18) months, divided into three (3) phases, during which the individuals are intensively supervised by the community supervision officer and required to appear in front of the Drug Court Judge on a regular basis. Individuals placed in the program are ordered by the court to attend weekly peer support meetings, participate in substance use treatment, and random urinalysis testing.  All of the requirements work toward the ultimate goals of public safety, maintaining sobriety, and reducing recidivism. The Drug program will foster a change in thoughts and perceptions about the seriousness of drug abuse, its dangers, costs, and negative effects on individuals, families, and the community as a whole. A team of individuals are involved in the supervision of each participant.

Veterans Court - This program is a comprehensive fourteen (14) month, four (4) phase program designed with specific objectives aimed at providing veterans with services needed to gain and maintain sobriety and access a support system of government and community-based resources. A team of individuals are involved in the supervision of each participant.

Domestic Violence Court - This program is a comprehensive ten (10) to eighteen (18) month, four (4) phase program designed to supervise individuals with assaultive history. The specific objectives aim to provide individuals with services, such as BIPP and individual counseling, to gain and maintain sobriety and access a support system of community-based resources. A team of individuals are involved in the supervision of each participant.

Mental Health Court - This program is a comprehensive twelve (12) to eighteen (18) month, three (3) phase program that provides intensive treatment and other services needed to gain mental health treatment. A team of individuals are involved in the supervision of each participant.

Compliance Caseload - This program is available to compliant and/or low risk individuals under direct supervision.  Supervision involves them reporting via a web-based case management system and providing specific requested information.  Some individuals report to a supervision officer virtually, in person every 90 days or at the officer's direction.