Welcome
Texas Prisons Community Advocates (TPCA) works to end inhumane prison conditions, strengthen support for incarcerated people and their families, and advance a justice system that respects the humanity of every person.
Whether you're a family member, advocate, policymaker, researcher, or simply someone who believes every person deserves dignity,
we're glad you're here.
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Keep scrolling to learn about our key issues, or explore favorite pages:
The Problem
Texas has built one of the largest incarceration systems in the world.
We're ALL affected.
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Nearly 95% of incarcerated people will return home. The conditions they experience inside Texas prisons shape the health, safety, and well-being of the communities they return to.
What happens inside prison walls doesn't stay there.
Mass incarceration affects families, taxpayers, correctional staff, public safety, and entire communities. Research increasingly shows that incarceration alone does not reduce crime, and, in many cases, can increase the likelihood of future offending.
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The cost is measured not only in dollars, but in fractured families, lost opportunities, and generations impacted by poverty, trauma, and incarceration.
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Our Priorities
TPCA fights to help 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.
What are we doing about it? TPCA focuses on the issues that have the greatest impact on people's lives.
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Our work combines advocacy, public education, direct support, and policy change to improve conditions inside Texas prisons and build a more humane justice system.
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Priority areas of TPCA's focus include:
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Humane Prison Conditions
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Ending Harmful Practices
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Fair and Just Laws
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Compassionate Release
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Supporting Families
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Public Education & Advocacy
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Get Involved
Every action helps create change.
Whether you donate, advocate, volunteer, or share our work, you become part of a growing movement for a more humane justice system.
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Find your way to get involved →
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85 TO STAY ALIVE
Dangerous temperatures continue to endanger incarcerated Texas citizens.​
Featured Campaign 🔥
KEY ISSUES
Thousands of incarcerated Texans endure dangerous heat and cold each year in facilities without adequate climate control. Our 85 to Stay Alive campaign and coalition are working to end these inhumane conditions.
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TPCA believes that the practice of solitary confinement is morally wrong, mentally debilitating, social stunting and the use of it must be substantially reduced.
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Too many incarcerated individuals face delayed, inadequate, or inaccessible medical care, leaving serious health needs untreated and preventable suffering to continue.
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Allowing eligible people who are terminally ill or aging to return home preserves dignity, supports families, and reduces costly incarceration for low-risk individuals.
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Event Spotlight
Answering The Call @ St David's Episcopal Church, Austin
September 23, 2026
Join fellow clergy and faith leaders as we learn about prison conditions, listen to impacted families, and explore how churches can respond with hope, justice, and advocacy.
Address & Time
301 E 8th St, Austin, TX 78701, USA
2:00 to 7:00PM
Visit A Prison
Change starts with awareness. TPCA, in partnership with FAMM, is urging state and federal lawmakers to #VisitAPrison because they don't know until they go.
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Send an editable letter asking your elected officials to see Texas prison conditions firsthand. Add your personal story if you'd like, your voice can make an even greater impact.
After sending your letter, explore the Family Guide for more ways to support the campaign, encourage legislators to #VisitAPrison, and help drive meaningful change. Together, our voices are stronger.
