Research Library

Research that drives advocacy

Every policy recommendation, educational resource, and public awareness campaign at TPCA begins with evidence.

Our Research Library brings together the latest academic studies, government reports, policy analyses, surveys, data visualizations, and lived-experience research to help explain the realities of incarceration in Texas.

Whether you're a family member seeking answers, a journalist looking for reliable sources, a student conducting research, or a policymaker evaluating reform, this library is designed to make credible information accessible.

Explore Research Topics

Research Informed by
Lived Experience

Data tells part of the story. The people living these realities tell the rest.

TPCA's research is strengthened through partnerships with incarcerated individuals, impacted families, advocates, and academic researchers.

We are proud to collaborate with researchers including Dr. Carlee Purdum and Dr. Benika Dixon of Texas A&M, alongside other scholars committed to advancing evidence-based criminal justice reform.

Together, we have contributed to research projects including:

Cost analyses examining the impact of prison conditions
Studies exploring the relationship between extreme heat and COVID-19 in Texas prisons
Research informed directly by surveys completed by incarcerated individuals across the state

These projects would not be possible without the willingness of incarcerated Texans to document and share their experiences.

Researching Texas Prison Conditions

TPCA's research helps uncover what is happening inside Texas prisons and provides evidence to support meaningful reform.

We're especially proud of resources such as the Cost Savings Report and Extreme Heat and COVID-19 in Texas Prisons, authored by Dr. Purdum using heat survey data generously shared by incarcerated Texans. Their participation made this research possible.