Non-Approval Reasons for Halfway Houses in Texas

Halfway houses provide services to people who are usually either recently released from prison or paroled, and for people who need a rehabilitation program for alcohol or drug addiction. These facilities and their staffs house, feed and counsel their tenants to reduce prison recidivism and post-rehab relapse. Each state, including Texas, has requirements for halfway houses and will withhold licensing, refuse to contract with or close down those that do not fulfill their requirements.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Facilities

• In 2010, TDCJ contracted with seven halfway houses having 1,507 beds. GEO Group Inc. manages some of these and establishes the standard TDJC requires in order to contract halfway house services. GEO facilities combine involvement in and security for the community, along with health, education and life-skills services for their transitional inmates.

  TDCJ requires the facilities to provide academic and vocational coursework, behavioral and substance abuse counseling, faith-based opportunities and physical and mental recreation outlets. The facilities are also required to have accreditations for everything from health care to education services.

Texas Youth Commission (TYC) Facilities

• TYC has nine youth halfway houses throughout the state. These facilities are required to provide housing and care while teaching independent living practices and trades the tenants can use for self-support when released. Students have GED access through volunteer tutors, and religious practice outlets as well as job placement assistance. Most of the halfway houses also provide the community with services from the supervised youth, such as cleanup after sports events and yard services for the elderly.

  Trained professionals handle mental health issues at the facilities, and after the tenants move out these services may continue if necessary. Accountability and responsibility are the cornerstones of each facility's instructional and life-skill preparedness programs.

Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (TCADA) Facilities

• TCADA, a division of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), is responsible for licensing substance and alcohol abuse treatment facilities, including halfway houses. They have minimum-standards criteria which include but are not limited to physician and nursing qualifications and coverage, leisure facility standards, spiritual guidance program establishment and guidelines, and counselor qualifications and practices.

  To receive a license for such a facility, applicants must provide an operational plan for the facility and insurance documents. The mission of each facility is to put patients on the road to self-reliant, clean and sober living.