The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition (TCJC) recently developed an anonymous on-line survey to measure Texans’ perceptions of key aspects of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). This survey has allowed TCJC to determine how the public perceives the purpose of Texas’ prison systems, as well as the range of services provided for prisoners during and after their incarceration.
Over 4,000 Texans of various socioeconomic, racial, and generational backgrounds responded to the survey within a two week period. They answered questions relating to prisoner mail, prisoner visitation, prisoner family assistance, prisoner recreation, services for children of the incarcerated, the purpose of TDCJ, prevention of drug re-offense, public safety, education, criminal justice spending, criminal justice budgeting, re-entry, and hiring of former offenders.
Abstract
TCJC has developed this document to provide the Sunset Advisory Commission and the public with socially relevant findings to consider during its audit of TDCJ, including during its observations of public hearings, review of testimony, and examination of other expert recommendations regarding the manner in which TDCJ should administers its prisons, its parole and probation systems, and its treatment programs.