Recommendation 1: Texas should shift its criminal justice funding dollars from incarceration of non-violent offenders to other alternatives that save money and work.
Texas’ over-reliance on incarceration is harming Texas communities and failing to change criminal behavior. The State should expand its use of alternatives to prison through increased state funding for an array of proven, evidence-based treatment programs and other tools to fight crime, like drug courts and community-based treatment programs for non-violent offenders.
For instance, Texas should make community supervision, along with an early release opportunity, consistently available for all non-violent, low-level offenders.
Also importantly, all judges and probation officers should have access to information about “What Works," as far as available sanctions and treatments. Key components of “What Works" include the following:
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An assessment of the individual’s risk level and needs.
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Use of research-based proven strategies, with quality controls for programming and treatment.
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Use of incentives and other motivational tools to reward success.
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Use of swift and clear sanctions as punishment for lapses.
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Provisions for after-care follow up services after release from “the system."