Accountability.
HUNTSVILLE, Texas — A new advisory group that includes prison advocates has asked the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to fix how it shares reentry resources with people leaving prison and to set clear rules for how the agency answers families and other stakeholders.
The recommendations come from the first six-month term of TDCJ’s IMPACT Consortium, short for Inmate Management, Partnership for Accountability, Collaboration, and Transparency. TDCJ announced the recommendations on Oct. 6, 2026.
What the consortium is
TDCJ created the consortium in February as a pilot. Its seven members included five from TDCJ, including the Office of Family Services and the Office of the Independent Ombudsman, and two members chosen by vote of registered advocacy organizations. The group held its first meeting March 30 and reviewed about 40 suggestions submitted by advocacy groups before narrowing its focus to two areas.
Reentry and parole resources
Members found that reentry resources are delivered inconsistently across the state and are hard for both formerly incarcerated people and staff to navigate. They observed releases, attended a parole orientation, and met with experts inside and outside the agency. TDCJ said the group made eight recommendations in this area, including:
- A comprehensive, up-to-date resource guide on inmate tablets and the TDCJ website.
- Consistent training and curriculum for all staff who lead parole orientation.
- Building on volunteer networks, including people with lived experience, to widen resources statewide.
- Making sure people’s identification documents are processed accurately and on time before release.
“Every person leaving prison is someone’s neighbor, parent, or child coming home,” said Justin Martinez, an advocate member of the consortium.
Communication with families
The group also found that families and other stakeholders often do not know whom to contact about a concern, how long a response should take, or how to escalate or follow up. It recommended:
- A standard, agency-wide communication framework with defined points of contact, response times and escalation steps.
- Better information-sharing between units and administrative offices so families get consistent, accurate answers.
- More ways for stakeholders to engage with the agency and give feedback.
“Clear, consistent and reliable communication is critical to strengthening credibility and trust with our stakeholders,” TDCJ Chief of Staff Rachelle White said.
What happens next
TDCJ has not said it will adopt any of the recommendations. Agency leadership will review them, and consortium members will receive updates on implementation plans, according to the release. TDCJ did not say whether a second term will be formed or how advocates could apply.
Families with questions or concerns can contact TDCJ’s Office of Family Services through the agency at (936) 295-6371, or the Office of the Independent Ombudsman at (936) 437-5620 or toll-free (833) 598-2700.
Texas Prison News will report on which recommendations TDCJ adopts.