Solutions:
I. Prevent Texas counties from using zoning laws to bar churches and other direct service providers from assisting ex-offenders, and create financial incentives for those counties that facilitate the reintegration of ex-offenders into their communities.
Counties committed to the reintegration process will receive full financial assistance from the state to operate and construct reentry facilities.
Counties are creating an unfunded mandate to the state by failing to provide housing infrastructure to former resident ex-offenders, unduly burdening the state. Therefore, counties must accept back those who must be re-integrated into society, and if they are not willing to allow placement into housing facilities in existing neighborhoods or communities from which the individuals came, then they should have to pay a reentry infrastructure fee to create comparable facilities to meet Texas’ public safety needs. Additionally, county and state governments should encourage public education efforts that inform residents about the importance of religious and non-profit activities geared toward ex-offender reintegration.
II. Require the state to provide contact information regarding social services and job opportunities in the various communities to paroled and discharged prisoners upon release.
Paroled and discharged prisoners are often under stress caused by the transition of leaving incarceration and are unable to find pertinent information relating to social services, housing, and employment. Therefore,TDCJ should provide an information packet to ex-inmates at the time of their release which includes the addresses and telephone numbers of workforce offices throughout the state; viable housing options(both private and private); and contact information for support groups including churches, peer-to-peer counseling groups, and other charitable institutions.
Tax breaks should reward landlords who give ex-offenders a second chance to successfully reintegrate into society. Within the limitations of federal law, the housing commission should be directed to maximize the availability of low cost housing options for ex-offenders and those currently under community supervision.
This program will provide a small payment to allow qualified caring families and individuals throughout the state to house low-risk, low severity ex-offenders eligible for parole but lacking housing in their homes. This will allow ex-offenders to experience the family support they may never have had and also receive transitional housing for up to 12 months while seeking employment. Eligibility to become a host is contingent upon a clean criminal record. Families should be allowed prior review and approval of the individuals they take in.
This program will provide a small payment to allow qualified caring families and individuals throughout the state to house low-risk, low severity ex-offenders eligible for parole but lacking housing in their homes. This will allow ex-offenders to experience the family support they may never have had and also receive transitional housing for up to 12 months while seeking employment. Eligibility to become a host is contingent upon a clean criminal record. Families should be allowed prior review and approval of the individuals they take in.