A New Start - Texas Department of Criminal Justice

1 1 A New Start A RE ENTRY GUIDE FOR Texas KEY INFORMATION FOR SUCCESSFUL REINTEGRATION 2 Texas Criminal Justice COALITION The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition (TCJC) is committed to identifying and advancing real solutions to the problems facing Texas juvenile and Criminal Justice systems.

2 We provide policy research and analysis, form effective partnerships, and educate key stakeholders to promote effective management, accountability, and best practices that increase public safety and preserve human and civil rights. For more information, please contact: Texas Criminal Justice Coalition Ana Y ez Correa Executive Director 510 S. Congress Avenue, Suite 104 Austin, Texas 78704 Tel: (512) 441 8123, ext. 109 Fax: (512) 441 4884 Email: Summer 2010 Edition This guide was written by Erica Surprenant, Special Projects Director, edited by Molly Totman, and Leah Pinney, and designed by Kim Wilks.

3 We are grateful to the many people who invested their time and effort in researching resources for this guide. We wish to extend our deepest appreciation to the following individuals for their assistance and feedback: Athan Bernal, Alison Brock, Tram Dinh, Daniele Gillund, Tiffany LaCour, Dyana Limon Mercado, Tiffany Nguyen, Jorge Antonio Renaud, Joy Rocha, and Dee Wilson. We would also like to thank the members of the House Committee on Corrections for their support. 2010 Texas Criminal Justice Coalition. All rights reserved. Any reproduction of the material herein must credit the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition.

4 An electronic version of A New Start is available free of charge from the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition at 3 DISCLAIMER The resources and information contained in this guide are primarily intended for people re entering society following a period of incarceration.

5 The information is not inclusive and should be viewed as a starting point for engaging with community groups. Please also note that inclusion in this guide does not imply our endorsement of an organization or of particular religions (in the case of ministry based programs). The resources contained in this guide were current as of the Start of 2010. While we have tried our best to only list groups, organizations, and businesses that are current and valid, we cannot guarantee that all of the resources included here will be current by the time you read it. Due to the nature of community aid organizations and the funding streams available to keep them open, some of the resources within this guide may be out of date by the time you reference it.

6 As a precaution, please contact each organization directly before relying on its services or assistance. You should also check for the most recent edition of this guide and updates on our website, If you feel we have missed an important resource, or if you have additional resources or updates you would like to add to future editions of this guide, please fill out the feedback form at the end of this guide and mail it back to us. You may also submit feedback through our website at HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE This guide is not intended to be the only information that people will need or use once they are released from prison or jail.

7 In fact, it should be used as a starting point to begin a successful re entry experience back into the community. Each chapter covers a general subject area associated with re entry. Please use the resources at the end of each chapter to continue researching specific topics. 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS PART ONE: GETTING STARTED.

8 1 Chapter 1 The Prison Experience and Preparing for Your Release .. 3 Reform Your Habits Before Release .. 4 Practical Plans and Connecting With Family .. 6 After You re Out .. 6 Asking For and Accepting 9 Working With Your Community Supervision 10 Chapter 2 Getting 11 2009 State Legislative Session Updates New Laws .. 11 93 Receiving Good Time .. 11 498 Investigating Wrongful 11 3649 Receiving Books in 963 Occupational Licensing Opportunities .. 12 1711 Statewide Re Entry Task 12 2161 Personal Identification Card .. 12 Obtaining Identification Documents in Texas .

9 12 Social Security Cards .. 13 Birth Certificate .. 13 State Identification Card .. 13 Voter Registration Card .. 14 Child Money PART TWO: COMMUNITY RESOURCES .. 21 Chapter 3 Community Organizations .. 25 25 Central Texas 26 Northeast and East Texas 44 South and Southeast Texas 55 West Texas Resources .. 63 High Plains 71 i Chapter 4 Housing.

10 89 89 Using This 89 The Housing Assistance 90 A Note About Public 90 Central Texas 92 Northeast and East Texas 110 South and Southeast Texas West Texas Resources .. 128 High Plains 129 Chapter 5 Community Health Support .. 131 131 Using This 132 Central Texas MHMR Centers .. 134 Northeast and East Texas MHMR Centers .. 135 South and Southeast Texas MHMR 135 West Texas MHMR 136 High Plains MHMR Centers .. 136 Central Texas 137 Northeast and East Texas 143 South and Southeast Texas West Texas Resources .. 162 High Plains 163 Chapter 6 Employment.