Welcome!
Texas Prisons Community Advocates (TPCA) is happy you are here! Please take a good look around to see how you can be a part of the change by GETTING INVOLVED. TPCA educates the general public about inhumane prison conditions through social media and events. So don't forget the RESEARCH LIBRARY. There is so much information there to help you advocate for CHANGE in the Texas prison system.
The Problem
Mass Incarceration in Texas
Texas leads the nation in Incarceration rates, and incarcerates more humans than most counties!
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Texas has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world, locking up more people than most countries.
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Incarceration Rate: 840 per 100,000 people (including prisons, jails, immigration detention, and juvenile facilities), surpassing any democracy on earth. (Prison Policy Initiative, 2021)
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Current Prison Population: Nearly 137,000 people are housed across 101 units in the Texas prison system. (Legislative Budget Board, Nov. 2024)
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Over 250,000 people are incarcerated in Texas jails and prisons—more than the total number of prisoners in Germany, France, Japan, and the United Kingdom combined. If Texas were a country, its incarceration rate would rank 8th in the world, just behind Oklahoma and six other Southern states. (Prison Legal News,2021)
Slavery Under the 13th Amendment
Please be aware that this video contains language that might be objectionable
Texas is one of the six states that doesn't pay prisoners, and the weight of their care falls on the families and support systems. John Oliver's video (to the left) covers many of the issues associated with free prison labor. For more information regarding the movement abolish Prison Slavery click the button below.
Mass incarceratin Affects us all!
Does Incarceration Make Society Safer?
Mass incarceration is often justified by the belief that locking people up keeps society safer. But the research doesn’t support this claim. A 2021 analysis of 116 studies found that incarceration does not reduce future crime rates—in fact, it often increases the likelihood of reoffending. This held for men, women, young people, and adults, whether they served time in county jails or state prisons. (Damon Petrich, University of Cincinnati, Journal Crime & Justice, 2021).
The Costs of Mass Incarceration.
We are ALL Affected!!
SOCIETAL COSTS
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The majority of incarcerated individuals are not accused of serious crimes—many are jailed for misdemeanors or technical probation/parole violations.
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Instead of investing in community-driven safety initiatives, cities, and counties pour vast public resources into punishing low-level offenses. (Prison Policy Initiative,2022)
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Homelessness & Incarceration Cycle:
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People experiencing homelessness are 11 times more likely to be incarcerated.
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Formerly incarcerated individuals are 10 times more likely to experience homelessness.
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State and federal prisoners face a homelessness rate 4-6 times higher than the general population. (Homelessness and Housing Insecurity Among Former Prisoners - PMC, 2022)
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Poverty & Incarceration:
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At least one-third of incarcerated individuals were living below the poverty threshold at the time of their arrest.
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This makes them more likely to receive felony charges and face severe housing barriers post-release. (Texas Center for Justice & Equity).
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The Human Cost:
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Decades of mass incarceration have stripped people of their rights, severed family bonds, and imposed lasting housing and employment challenges, creating a massive human debt in the U.S. (Health Affairs, 2021)
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FAMILIAL COSTS
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Half of all incarcerated people are parents to minors, affecting over 1.25 million children nationwide. (Prison Policy Initiative, 2022)
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How Parental Incarceration Affects Children:
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No Warning: Arrests happen suddenly, leaving families unprepared.
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Emotional Trauma: Witnessing a parent's arrest can be deeply distressing.
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Financial Crisis: Loss of income plunges families into financial instability.
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Academic Struggles: Children of incarcerated parents face bullying, attendance issues, and declining grades.
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Separation Challenges: In Texas, parents can be imprisoned hundreds of miles away, making visits nearly impossible. (Prison Fellowship)
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FINANCIAL COSTS
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The U.S. spends over $80 billion annually on incarceration, but experts believe this grossly underestimates the full cost.
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Who Bears the Financial Burden?
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Prisoners and their families, not the government, shoulder the majority of incarceration costs.
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Women, especially mothers, overwhelmingly carry the financial strain of supporting incarcerated loved ones. (The Marshall Project,2019)
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Hidden Costs of Incarceration:
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Lost wages of incarcerated individuals.
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Increased infant mortality among affected families.
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Higher likelihood of criminal behavior in children with incarcerated parents. (Institute for Justice Research & Development)
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HIGH STAFF TURNOVER RATES
According to the State Auditor's Office employee turnover report for fiscal year 2022, juvenile correctional officers experienced the highest turnover of all job classifications at a rate of 70 percent. - Representative Cook (2023)
Texas had a 40.3% turnover rate for correctional officer positions in 2021, according to a 2022 report released by the Texas State Auditor’s Office. The turnover rate for officers increased by almost 7% between 2020 and 2021 (KKAN, 2022).
The attrition rate for US correctional officers is high, with 40 percent of state correctional officers in Texas, for example, leaving their jobs in 2020 (Urban Wire, 2022). Click the butoon below for more information regarding the prison staff crises
The Need for Change
For decades, Texas has spent trillions on mass incarceration, stripping individuals of their rights, breaking families apart, and perpetuating poverty. Mass incarceration does not work and all of society is AFFECTED by it. It’s time to rethink our justice system and invest in real solutions that promote rehabilitation, public safety, and dignity for all.
Our Priorities
Changing Inhumane Carceral Conditions
For far too long the carceral system has been treating human beings as if they are not human. TPCA believes that no person should have to endure torturous heat, contaminated water, nutritiously lacking food, or medical indifference.
Did you know that 70% of Texas prisons don't have full Air Conditioning?
Well now you do. Learn more about how HOT is really gets in a Texas prison cell, check out our 85 to stay Alive Campign & Coaltion. Then get involved.
Click here for more information
Inhumane Prison Conditions
TPCA belives that ALL incarcerated citizens should be treated humanely. Click below for more information
SUBPAR MEDICAL CARE
Incarcerated citizens are often being completely denied medical care or receiving horrifically inadequate care.
TOXIC WATER
DETESTABLE FOOD
End Solitary Confinement
TPCA believes that the practice of solitary confinement is morally wrong, mentally debilitating, social stunting and the use of it must be substantially reduced.
Compassionate Release
TPCA believes that population members should be compassionalty released to the care of their family in their final days. People with terminal illnesses are not a threat to society. Furthermore recidivism rates as a person age decrease while the cost of their care increases.
Law of Parties
Join us as we work to educate the public, our lawmakers, and other affected families about this law. We MUST all step together to end this injustice and create a remedy for those who have already been unconstitutionally convicted.
Support for Impacted Families
Impacted family member suffer along with their incarcerated loved ones in many ways. Often times they are stigmatized, shamed, and bear the financial burden of incarceration. We are here for you! TPCA educates and trains impacted families to advocate for their incarcerated loved ones. Need help advocating for your impacted Loved One? Check out our resources for impacted family members.
Take Action Now!
For more ways that you can TAKE ACTION please check out our Get Involved page and campaigns
As part of the state's strategic planning process, TDCJ is conducting a customer satisfaction survey. This happens every every two years. Don't wait until it's too late to respond to this Survey
Help us provide cooling towels for indigent incarcerated persons.
Visit A Prison
We work with lawmakers and policymakers to create positive change in the Texas prison system. TPCA, in partnership with FAMM, asks you to challenge your state and federal legislators to #VisitAPrison. "They don't know until they go".
Click on the button below to be directed to a letter action that will be sent to your state and federal legislators. This letter is editable if you would like to add a personal message.
After you send your letter, take a look at the family guide for more ideas on how you can help spread the word, convince legislators to #VisitAPrison, and make a difference for those that are incarcerated. This issue of prison conditions needs a powerful united voice if a change is to be made for our loved ones.
Recent and Upcoming Events
The Texas legislative session is well underway. Here are our Agenda items.
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Check back for updates!!
🚨 CALL TO ACTION – TEXAS! 🚨
🔥 If you want HUMANE TEMPERATURES (AIR CONDITIONING) in Texas prisons, NOW is the time to raise your voice!
🎖️ And if you care about better housing for our justice-involved Veterans, this hearing is for YOU too!
🗓️ Testify or submit a public comment on these two critical bills:
📜 HB3006 (Rep. Canales) – Requires the purchase and installation of climate control systems in Texas Department of Criminal Justice facilities.
📜 HB5639 (Rep. Josey Garcia) – Establishes a veteran housing program within TDCJ.
💻 Not in Austin? No problem!
Submit your comments online here 👉 https://comments.house.texas.gov/home?c=c200
🎤 Want to testify in person?
Register here 👉 https://mytxlegis.capitol.texas.gov/HWRSPublic/About.aspx
🎥 Watch the live hearing here 👉 https://house.texas.gov/video-audio/
Let’s turn up the pressure for justice and dignity behind the walls. Our voices matter. Don’t miss this opportunity!
#85ToStayAlive #VoicesForOurVeterans #TXLege #EndPrisonHeat #VeteranJustice #HumanDignity #TDCJ
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Thank You for Joining Our
Political Advocacy 101 Training!
We sincerely thank everyone who attended TPCA’s Political Advocacy 101 Training & Storytelling webinar. Your participation in this important session helps empower incarcerated individuals and their loved ones to use their voices for meaningful change. We hope you gained valuable insights on how to share your story effectively and advocate for a better future.
A special thank you to our incredible partners who made this event possible and hosted the Advocacy Training session on February 12th, 2025. Your dedication and support continue to strengthen our movement for justice and reform.
For those who missed the session or would like to revisit the discussion, here’s a recap.
➡️ Watch the full webinar here: https://youtu.be/um8a8Yzt-88
☎️ answering the call, a multi-faith approach to inhumane temperature conditions for U.S. prisons:
Webinar Recap ☎️
TPCA recently presented 85 to Stay Alive: Answering the Call, a webinar that brought together faith leaders and advocates to address the urgent issue of inhumane temperature conditions in U.S. prisons. This multi-faith discussion advocates for humane treatment and policy reform.
If you missed the live session, we invite you to watch the full recap and stay informed about this critical issue. Together, we can drive meaningful change and uphold the dignity of all incarcerated individuals. Click below to watch, share, and learn how you can get involved in advocating for humane prison conditions in every state.
➡️ Watch the Webinar Recording: https://youtu.be/um8a8Yzt-88
#85toStayAlive
#AnsweringTheCall