Probation Key Findings:
- Texas’ probation population consists of approximately 455,000 people, the largest in the nation. One in 20 Texans is currently in the criminal justice system.[i]
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Probation terms in
Texas are 66% longer than the nationwide average, and can extend up to 10 years.[ii] -
Probation departments receive 1/3 of their total budget dollars through the collection of fees from probationers, which creates a financial incentive for departments to maintain long probation terms.[iii] However, longer terms are not necessarily cost-effective: 54% of revocations (termination of probation for new crimes or violations) occur during a probationer’s first 2 years on probation.[iii]
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Departments often incorrectly classify probationers, resulting in misappropriated resources. For example, in
Travis County , approximately 25% of offenders were found to be supervised at higher levels than were required by a risk assessment, according to a 2006 Travis County impact study on supervision.[iv] -
There is currently no standardized method for evaluation and accountability of probation department practices.[v]
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Poor supervision has created a problem of probationers absconding (disappearing from supervision). As of 2005, there were 77,439 absconders in
Texas , representing 18% of all probationers.[vi] -
Over half of probationers are revoked and sent to prison annually,viii comprising 33% of
Texas prison intakes and 41% of state jail intakes.[vii] -
Technical violations (e.g. missing a payment, failing to attend a meeting with a probation officer) are a major cause of revocation. These non-criminal violations are responsible for 55% of probationer prison revocations.[viii]
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In 2005, probation revocations created $1.124 billion in added incarceration costs.[vii]
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Nearly 60% of revoked probationers never participate in a residential treatment program prior to their revocation.[v]
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The cost of incarcerating an individual is $44.01 per day, while the cost of maintaining him or her on probation is $2.13 per day. Put another way, the cost of 18 days of prison is equal to an entire year of probation.[ix]
[i] Marc Levin. “Laying the Foundation for Better Probation.” Policy Perspective, Texas Public Policy Foundation. June 2006.
[ii] Texas Criminal Justice Policy Council, Biennial Report to the 78th Texas Legislature, January 2003. Based on Bureau of Justice Statistics, August 2002.
[iii] Fabelo, Tony. Trends, Profile and Policy Issues Related to Felony Probation Revocations in Texas. Criminal Justice Policy Council, May 2002.
[iv] Fabelo, Tony, the JFA Institute Austin, and Nagy, Geraldine. Travis County Impact Supervision. Washington, D.C. 2006.
[v] Fabelo, Tony. “Rejuvenating Probation.” The Texas Prosecutor. The Texas County and District Attorney Association. Volume 36, Number 3: May – June 2006.
[vi] Assessment of the Dallas County Community Supervision and Corrections Department’s Submitted to Dallas County District Court and the Community Supervision and Correctional Department by MGT America. July 15, 2005.
[vii] Levin, Marc. “How to Avert Another Texas Prison Crowding Crisis,” Austin, TX: Texas Public Policy Foundation, May 2006. p 2.
[viii] TDCJ Community Justice Assistance Division, Strengthening Community Supervision Sanctions &Services: A Local-State Partnership, Technical Violations Committee Recommendations, March 2001.
[ix] Livingston, Brad and Bonita White. Overview of Probation for the 79th Legislative Session. Texas Department Of Criminal Justice Community Justice Assistance Division. January 12, 2005.