Transcript Slide 1

IN NUMBERS:
INCARCERATION-RECIDIVISM-EDUCATION
THE NEED FOR BETTER COMMUNICATION BEHIND BAR
COMMUNICATION BEHIND BARS
TDCJ REHABILITATION PROGRAMS DIVISION
AUGUST 2011
OVERVIEW
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) operates the
nation’s third largest prison system (along with California and the
Federal Bureau of Prisons).
In 2011 there were 154,795 inmates on hand in TDCJ-run correctional
facilities.
7.8% of inmates
90% of inmates
(12,133 persons)
(139,316 persons)
STATE JAILS
PRISON
2.2% of inmates
(3,346 persons)
SAFP
Graph 1: distribution of inmates on hand among different types of TDCJ facilities
source: Statistical Report Fiscal Year 2010 of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
link: http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/publications/executive/FY2010StatisticalReportFiscalYear2010.pdf
COMMUNICATION BEHIND BARS
TDCJ REHABILITATION PROGRAMS DIVISION
AUGUST 2011
INMATES: GENDER RATIO
From the 154,795 inmates in Texas prisons, state jails, and substance
abuse felony program (SAFP) facilities:
92.23% are male and 7.77% are female
the largest share of female inmates is in the SAFP: 23.55%
the largest share of male inmates is in prisons: 93.8%
PRISON
SAFP
TOTAL ON HAND
number
%
number
%
number
%
number
%
139,316
100%
12,133
100%
3,346
100%
154,795
100%
FEMALE
8,639
6.20%
2,598
21.41%
788
23.55%
12,025
7.77%
MALE
130,677
93.80%
9,535
78.59%
2,588
77.35%
142,77
92.23%
TOTAL
GENDER
STATE JAIL
source: Statistical Report Fiscal Year 2010 of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
link: http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/publications/executive/FY2010StatisticalReportFiscalYear2010.pdf
COMMUNICATION BEHIND BARS
TDCJ REHABILITATION PROGRAMS DIVISION
AUGUST 2011
INMATES: RACE & ETHNICITY RATIO
From the 154,795 inmates in Texas prisons, state jails, and substance
abuse felony program (SAFP) facilities:
36.21% are African American, 32.26% are white, and 31.03% are Hispanic
PRISON
SAFP
TOTAL ON HAND
number
%
number
%
number
%
number
%
139,316
100%
12,133
100%
3,346
100%
154,795
100%
AFRICAN AMERICAN
50,811
36.47%
4,408
36.33%
839
25.07%
56,058
36.21%
HISPANIC
42,19
30.28%
4,21
34.70%
1,626
48.60%
48,026
31.03%
WHITE
45,607
32.74%
3,461
28.53%
868
25.94%
49,936
32.26%
OTHER
708
0.51%
54
0.45%
13
0.39%
775
0.50%
TOTAL
RACE
ETHNICITY
STATE JAIL
source: Statistical Report Fiscal Year 2010 of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
link: http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/publications/executive/FY2010StatisticalReportFiscalYear2010.pdf
COMMUNICATION BEHIND BARS
TDCJ REHABILITATION PROGRAMS DIVISION
AUGUST 2011
INMATES: OFFENSE OF INITIAL SENTENCING
From the 154,795 inmates in Texas prisons, state jails, and substance
abuse felony program (SAFP) facilities:
51.20% were initially sentenced for violent offenses
17.83% were initially sentenced for drugs-related offenses
16.58% were initially sentenced for property offenses
14.39% were initially sentenced for other types of offenses
PRISON
SAFP
TOTAL ON HAND
number
%
number
%
number
%
number
%
139,316
100%
12,133
100%
3,346
100%
154,795
100%
VIOLENT
78,368
56.25%
172
1.42%
711
21.25%
79,251
51.20%
PROPERTY
18,943
13.60%
5,946
49.01%
779
23.28%
25,671
16.58%
DRUGS
22,142
15.89%
484
3.99%
1,226
36.64%
27,602
17.83%
OTHER
19,863
14.26%
1,778
14.65%
630
18.83%
22,271
14.39%
TOTAL
OFFENSE OF
INITIAL
SENTENCING
STATE JAIL
source: Statistical Report Fiscal Year 2010 of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
link: http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/publications/executive/FY2010StatisticalReportFiscalYear2010.pdf
COMMUNICATION BEHIND BARS
TDCJ REHABILITATION PROGRAMS DIVISION
AUGUST 2011
INMATES: OVERVIEW OF BREAKDOWN BY
GENDER, RACE & ETHNICITY, AND OFFENSE OF
INITIAL SENTENCING
PRISON
STATE JAIL
SAFP
number
%
number
%
number
%
number
%
139,316
100%
12,133
100%
3,346
100%
154,795
100%
FEMALE
8,639
6.20%
2,598
21.41%
788
23.55%
12,025
7.77%
MALE
130,677
9,535
78.59%
2,588
77.35%
142,77
92.23%
AFRICAN AMERICAN
50,811
36.47%
4,408
36.33%
839
25.07%
56,058
36.21%
HISPANIC
42,19
30.28%
4,21
34.70%
1,626
48.60%
48,026
31.03%
WHITE
45,607
32.74%
3,461
28.53%
868
25.94%
49,936
32.26%
OTHER
708
0.51%
54
0.45%
13
0.39%
775
0.50%
VIOLENT
78,368
56.25%
172
1.42%
711
21.25%
79,251
51.20%
PROPERTY
18,943
13.60%
5,946
49.01%
779
23.28%
25,671
16.58%
DRUGS
22,142
15.89%
484
3.99%
1,226
36.64%
27,602
17.83%
OTHER
19,863
14.26%
1,778
14.65%
630
18.83%
22,271
14.39%
TOTAL
GENDER
RACE
ETHNICITY
OFFENSE OF
INITIAL
SENTENCING
TOTAL ON HAND
93.80%
source: Statistical Report Fiscal Year 2010 of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
link: http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/publications/executive/FY2010StatisticalReportFiscalYear2010.pdf
COMMUNICATION BEHIND BARS
TDCJ REHABILITATION PROGRAMS DIVISION
AUGUST 2011
INMATES and STAFF
BEYOND CAPACITY
As TDCJ confines 154,795 inmates, most of its facilities operate beyond
their capacity.
Overcrowding is not a problem unique to the Texas penitentiary system. In
fact, it is reported that :
State prisons are operating between 1% and 16% above capacity.
Federal prisons operate at 31% above capacity.
“Overcrowding exacerbates the chronic pains of imprisonment”
[Dr. Craig Haney from the University of California Santa Cruz- http://www.veradc.org/statements/haney_craig.pdf ]
source: Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice
link: http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/ascii/p01.txt
COMMUNICATION BEHIND BARS
TDCJ REHABILITATION PROGRAMS DIVISION
AUGUST 2011
INMATES and STAFF
PROBLEMS
The staffing levels in TDCJ facilities do not match the increasing influx of
inmates. Here are some figures:
35 inmates : 1 staff member
For the 154,795 inmates in TDCJ correctional facilities there is a staff
of approximately 4,000 guards.
This means that for every 100,000 inmates there are ca. 2,600 TDCJ
correctional facility employees
There are over 35 inmates per 1 TDCJ correctional facility employee
source: NuPhysicia’s Analysis and Recommendations for California Prison Health Care System
University of California Santa Cruz
March 2010
COMMUNICATION BEHIND BARS
TDCJ REHABILITATION PROGRAMS DIVISION
AUGUST 2011
INMATES v. INMATES
ASSAULT
Overcrowded facilities and high inmates to staff ratio exacerbate the
issue of prison violence.
State and Federal correctional facilities report a 27% increase in
inmate-on-inmate assaults
Many correctional facilities in Texas do not count the number of
inmate-on-inmate assaults.
The average annual number of inmate-on-inmate assault is estimated
as ca. 82 assaults per county.
Texas has the highest reported number of inmate-on-inmate sexual
violence cases:
4 times higher (3.95 per 1,000) than the U.S. average (1.05 per 1,000).
Source: Texas Commission on Jail Standards , 2004 House Bill 1660 Report to the Texas Legislation,
link: http://www.tcjs.state.tx.us/docs/hb%201660%20report.pdf
COMMUNICATION BEHIND BARS
TDCJ REHABILITATION PROGRAMS DIVISION
AUGUST 2011
INMATES v. STAFF
ASSAULT
Inmate violence increasingly targets correctional facility staff:
State and Federal correctional facilities report a 32% rise in inmate-onstaff attacks.
33.5% of all assaults in prisons and jails are committed by inmates
against staff.
Correctional Officers (COs) have the second highest mortality rate of
any occupation
The average annual number of inmate-on-staff assault is estimated as
ca. 17 assaults per county.
Source: Texas Commission on Jail Standards , 2004 House Bill 1660 Report to the Texas Legislation,
link: http://www.tcjs.state.tx.us/docs/hb%201660%20report.pdf
COMMUNICATION BEHIND BARS
TDCJ REHABILITATION PROGRAMS DIVISION
AUGUST 2011
STAFF
HIGH TURNOVER
The Texas correctional system faces the problem of high voluntary staff
turnover.
41.3% of probation officers and direct care staff have serious thoughts
about leaving in the near future or are actively looking for alternate
employment.
VOLUNATRY TERMINATION RATE
(% of staff size )
fiscal year (FY)
2005
fiscal year (FY)
2006
fiscal year (FY)
2007
13.5%
13.2%
14.6%
REASONS FOR VOLUNTARY TERMINATION
pay and benefits
56%
family/personal/ medical
32%
career advancement
3%
working conditions
9%
Source: Community Justice Assistance Division, Texas Department of Criminal Justice ,
link: http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/publications/cjad/publications-cjad-salary-turnover-survey.htm
COMMUNICATION BEHIND BARS
TDCJ REHABILITATION PROGRAMS DIVISION
AUGUST 2011
STAFF
HIGH TURNOVER
The high voluntary turnover contributes to:
Unstable caseload sizes
Inexperienced staff
Training issues
Decreased quality of supervision
Lower staff morale
Source: Community Justice Assistance Division, Texas Department of Criminal Justice ,
link: http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/publications/cjad/publications-cjad-salary-turnover-survey.htm
COMMUNICATION BEHIND BARS
TDCJ REHABILITATION PROGRAMS DIVISION
AUGUST 2011
RECIDIVISM
Recidivism is the return to criminal activity after release from a
correctional facility.
Recidivism has far-reaching and expensive consequences.
The annual correctional costs in the United States equal $52 billion.
By decreasing recidivism rates by 10% Texas can save $33.6 million a
year
High recidivism rates carry devastating individual cost for the
offenders and high social costs for their families and the community.
Source: The Pew Charitable Trust (2011). State of recidivism: the revolving door of American prisons
link: http://www.pewcenteronthestates.org/uploadedFiles/Pew_State_of_Recidivism.pdf
COMMUNICATION BEHIND BARS
TDCJ REHABILITATION PROGRAMS DIVISION
AUGUST 2011
RECIDIVISM
Recidivism rates are indicative of the effectiveness of the correctional
system.
They can be used to predict the future growth of the prison system
Offenders are most likely to recidivate within 3 years of release from a
correctional institution.
Texas comes close to the national average recidivism rate of 41%.
average national rate of 41%
recidivism within 3 years of release
61.2%
43.8%
31.9%
24.6%
22.8%
MINNESOTA
NEW MEXICO
TEXAS
OKLAHOMA
OREGON
Graph 2: RECIDIVISM LEVELS FOR THE 2004 STATE PRISON RELEASE COHORTS WITHIN 3 YEARS OF RELEASE
Source: The Pew Charitable Trust (2011). State of recidivism: the revolving door of American prisons
linkhttp://www.pewcenteronthestates.org/uploadedFiles/Pew_State_of_Recidivism.pdfvey.htm
COMMUNICATION BEHIND BARS
TDCJ REHABILITATION PROGRAMS DIVISION
AUGUST 2011
RECIDIVISM
BY OFFENDER CHARACTERISCTIS
The latest data on the recidivism of Texas correctional facilities
release cohorts is available for the following fiscal year (FY) cohorts:
FY 2005
FY 2006
FY 2007
3-YEAR RE-ARREST RATE
76.4%
73.6%
***
TIME FROM RELEASE TO REARREST
13 months
13 months
***
3-YEAR RE-INCARCERATION
RATE
***
41.2%
35.7%
TIME FROM RELEASE TO REINCARCERATION
***
15 months
14 months
Source: Texas Legislative Budget Board (2011). Statewide Criminal Justice Recidivism and Revocation Rate
link: http://www.lbb.state.tx.us/PubSafety_CrimJustice/3_Reports/Recidivism_Report_2011.pdf
COMMUNICATION BEHIND BARS
TDCJ REHABILITATION PROGRAMS DIVISION
AUGUST 2011
RECIDIVISM
BY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
Not all offenders are equally likely to recidivate.
Recidivism rates vary by gender, race/ ethnicity, type of offense of
initial sentencing, and correctional facility
FY 2006 RELEASE COHORT
TYPE OF CORRECTIONAL
FACILITY
RELEASED
FY 2007 RELEASE COHORT
OF THEM RE-INCARCERATED
WITHIN 3 YEARS
#
%
RELEASED
OF THEM REINCARCERATED WITHIN 3
YEARS
#
%
SUBSTANCE ABUSE FELONY
PUNISHMENT FACILITIES
5,329
2,111
39.61%
5,464
2,201
40.48%
IN-PRISON THERAPEUTIC
COMMUNITIES
924
223
24.13%
794
196
24.69%
STATE JAILS
24,218
7,879
32.53%
24,213
7,717
31.87%
STATE PRISONS
40,438
1,052
26.01%
41,051
9,972
24.29%
INTERMEDIATE SANCTION
FACILITIES
10,549
4,550
43.13%
10,221
4,101
40.12%
Source: Texas Legislative Budget Board (2011). Statewide Criminal Justice Recidivism and Revocation Rate
link: http://www.lbb.state.tx.us/PubSafety_CrimJustice/3_Reports/Recidivism_Report_2011.pdf
COMMUNICATION BEHIND BARS
TDCJ REHABILITATION PROGRAMS DIVISION
AUGUST 2011
RECIDIVISM
BY GENDER
TYPE OF CORRECTIONAL
FACILITY
SUBSTANCE ABUSE FELONY
PUNISHMENT FACILITIES
IN-PRISON THERAPEUTIC
COMMUNITIES
GENDER
FY 2006 RELEASE COHORT
FY 2007 RELEASE COHORT
% OF COHORT GENDER
GROUP RE% of RELEASED COHORT
INCARCERATED WITHIN 3
YEARS
% OF COHORT GENDER
GROUP RE% OF RELEASED COHORT
INCARCERATED WITHIN 3
YEARS
MALE
79.3%
40.3%
80.5%
42.4%
FEMALE
20.7%
36.8%
19.5%
31.4%
MALE
67.2%
26.9%
78.5%
25.7%
FEMALE
32.8%
18.5%
21.5%
21.1%
MALE
76.6%
33.9%
77.6%
33.4%
FEMALE
23.4%
28.1%
22.4%
26.7%
MALE
90.1%
26.8%
90.0%
25.0%
FEMALE
9.9%
18.6%
10.0%
17.9%
MALE
90.3%
43.9%
90.6%
40.9%
Female
9.7%
34.6%
9.4%
32.3%
STATE JAILS
STATE PRISONS
INTERMEDIATE SANCTION
FACILITIES
Source: Texas Legislative Budget Board (2011). Statewide Criminal Justice Recidivism and Revocation Rate
link: http://www.lbb.state.tx.us/PubSafety_CrimJustice/3_Reports/Recidivism_Report_2011.pdf
COMMUNICATION BEHIND BARS
TDCJ REHABILITATION PROGRAMS DIVISION
AUGUST 2011
RECIDIVISM
BY OFFENSE OF INITIAL SENTENCING
FY 2006 RELEASE COHORT
TYPE OF CORRECTIONAL
FACILITY
SUBSTANCE ABYSE FELONY
PUNISHMENT FACILITIES
IN-PRISON THERAPEUTIC
COMMUNITIES
STATE JAILS
STATE PRISONS
INTERMEDIATE SANCTION
FACILITIES
FY 2007 RELEASE COHORT
OFFENSE OF
INITIAL
SENTENCING
REELASED AS % OF
COHORT
% OF COHORT INITIAL OFFENSE
GROUP RE-INCARCERATED
WITHIN 3 YEARS
released as % of cohort
VIOLENT
18.2%
41.2%
19.1%
45.1%
PROPERTY
24.8%
48.2%
24.8%
49.0%
DRUGS
38.8%
OTHER
VIOLENT
36.8%
32.8%
40.0%
15.7%
16.0%
36.0%
32.0%
10.6%
26.5%
8.7%
26.1%
PROPERTY
22.6%
34.4%
23.0%
27.9%
DRUGS
52.5%
OTHER
VIOLENT
14.3%
19.0%
25.0%
54.2%
14.1%
23.5%
23.2%
1.0%
22.0%
1.1%
18.6%
PROPERTY
43.2%
33.6%
44.1%
34.6%
DRUGS
44.0%
42.4%
OTHER
VIOLENT
32.1%
31.2%
12.4%
29.5%
31.3%
26.1%
20.8%
25.9%
20.2%
PROPERTY
22.6%
34.1%
21.6%
32.2%
DRUGS
31.6%
31.7%
OTHER
VIOLENT
17.8%
25.6%
24.1%
20.8%
24.0%
21.5%
16.1%
43.1%
16.6%
38.6%
PROPERTY
36.7%
46.8%
34.8%
44.5%
DRUGS
35.7%
OTHER
40.4%
38.5%
36.9%
11.4%
37.5%
37.5%
11.8%
11.8%
% OF COHORT INITIAL OFFENSE
GROUP RE-INCARCERATED
WITHIN 3 YEARS
Source: Texas Legislative Budget Board (2011). Statewide Criminal Justice Recidivism and Revocation Rate
link: http://www.lbb.state.tx.us/PubSafety_CrimJustice/3_Reports/Recidivism_Report_2011.pdf
COMMUNICATION BEHIND BARS
TDCJ REHABILITATION PROGRAMS DIVISION
AUGUST 2011
EDUCATION
THE UNMET NEED
One cost-efficient and successful way to reduce violence in correctional
facilities and decrease recidivism levels is through education.
It is important to keep in mind that people who make up the
incarcerated population are, in fact, those who have had the least
opportunity to succeed prior to imprisonment.
Prisoners are under-educated in comparison to the community and
have lower literacy skills to handle everyday tasks that they confront.
(Bureau of Justice Statistics)
About 75% of state prison inmates, almost 59% of Federal inmates,
and 69% of state jail inmates did not have not completed high school.
In comparison, only about 18% of the general population have not
graduated from high-school.
Gaes, G. G. (2008). The impact of prison-education programs on post-release outcomes.
Re-entry roundtable on education
Wolf Harlow. C. (2003). Education and Correctional Population. Bureau of Justice Statistics.
Source:
COMMUNICATION BEHIND BARS
TDCJ REHABILITATION PROGRAMS DIVISION
AUGUST 2011
EDUCATION
1 in 6 jail inmates dropped out of school because they were
convicted of a crime, sent to a correctional facility, or otherwise
involved in illegal activities.
Ca. 50% of state prison inmates reported they have participated in an
educational program since their most recent admission to prison.
Ca. 25% state prison and jail inmates have taken basic education or
high school level course and about one third have taken vocational
courses.
About 35% of State inmates, 33% of Federal inmates, 22% of jail
inmates, and 11% of probationers had successfully passed the GED while
incarcerated.
Gaes, G. G. (2008). The impact of prison-education programs on post-release outcomes.
Re-entry roundtable on education
Wolf Harlow. C. (2003). Education and Correctional Population. Bureau of Justice Statistics.
Source:
COMMUNICATION BEHIND BARS
TDCJ REHABILITATION PROGRAMS DIVISION
AUGUST 2011
EDUCATION
THE BENEFITS
Educational programs and vocational training for
incarcerated offenders:
 Help incarcerated establish positive communication and relations
with others
 Increases the offenders’ success in securing employment upon
release
 Reduce the financial, social, and individual costs of incarceration
 Contribute to the reduction of recidivism
Gaes, G. G. (2008). The impact of prison-education programs on post-release outcomes.
Re-entry roundtable on education
Wolf Harlow. C. (2003). Education and Correctional Population. Bureau of Justice Statistics.
Source:
COMMUNICATION BEHIND BARS
TDCJ REHABILITATION PROGRAMS DIVISION
AUGUST 2011
EDUCATION
THE BENEFITS
The Windham School District is an example of the success
of educational and vocational programs that target the
incarcerated offenders in Texas.
FY 2008
FY 2009
FY 2010
offenders who received educational services
through the Windham School District
82,500
79,000
77,500
GED (General Education Development) awarded
5,039
4,893
5,287
70%
79%
75%
% of vocationally trained offenders released
during the fiscal year who have secured
employment and earn income in one or more
occupations related to the vocational training
they received while incarcerated
Gaes, G. G. (2008). The impact of prison-education programs on post-release outcomes.
Re-entry roundtable on education
Wolf Harlow. C. (2003). Education and Correctional Population. Bureau of Justice Statistics.
Source:
COMMUNICATION BEHIND BARS
TDCJ REHABILITATION PROGRAMS DIVISION
AUGUST 2011