Run a free Texas parole search using the tools, databases, and custodian contact information in this resource.
Here, parole refers to individuals released early from prison. This article also highlights methods of finding absconders, participating in hearings and locating parole officers; plus, at the end, it discusses ways of looking up individuals on probation.
How To Determine Who Parolees Are for Free: Texas Parole Search
The Parole Division under the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) oversees individuals who have been released on parole.1, 2 Citizens interested in finding individuals who are on parole can get in contact with the division at the following:
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
The Parole Division
8610 Shoal Creek Boulevard.
Austin, Texas, 78711
Phone: 512-406-5250
However, citizens will be required to provide necessary details of the individual that they are interested in such as their name, TDCJ number, or state ID.
Apart from the above, the Board of Pardons & Paroles can also be contacted to inquire about someone else’s parole status. The board holds the power to decide which offenders can regain their freedom and is responsible for determining who gets parole and under what circumstances they walk free.
Citizens can contact the Texas Board of Pardons & Paroles at the following for free and obtain information about an individual’s parole status:
Texas Board of Pardons & Paroles
8610 Shoal Creek Boulevard,
Austin, Texas, 78757
Phone: Main Office – 512-406-5452, Parole Status Line – 844-512-0461
Additionally, the TDCJ operates a system called Integrated Victim Services System, or IVSS for short, that can be used to find information about individuals on parole.
The IVSS is an automated parole search service that gives vital facts to crime victims and concerned civilians about the parolees in Texas around the clock.
IVSS draws from a confidential database to provide details about offenders under TDCJ’s watch, both in custody and on parole. If you are registered with the system, it sends email alerts and texts whenever there are new developments regarding the offenders. Citizens can search for offenders on either the IVSS portal or contact the Victim Services Division at the following:
Victim Services Division
8712 Shoal Creek Boulevard,
Suite 265, Austin, Texas, 78757-6899.
Phone: (800)848-4284
Email: [email protected]
Find Parole Violators & Absconders in Texas
In Texas, a system is in place that issues warrants for offenders and absconders alike. A sub department of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) known as the Parole Division takes charge of this task.4
The Warrants Section under the Parole Division is the primary authority that issues warrants for alleged parole violations.5 They can be contacted at the following to inquire about an absconder:
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Parole Division
8610 Shoal Creek Boulevard,
Austin, Texas, 78757
Phone: 512-406-5398
Fax: 512-406-5355
The department also maintains an absconder tip line that exists specifically for reporting potential absconders. Concerned citizens can call the tip line at (866)680-6667. This toll-free helpline directly connects at the Parole Division’s Command Center—a hub devoted entirely towards upholding community safety by apprehending violators.
How To Look Up Inmates in a Texas State Prison
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), plays a key role in prisons. This department controls the Correctional Institution Division or CID for short.6 The CID manages over 106 correctional institutions.
These places range from state prisons to medical facilities catering to inmates who are criminally insane. Other facilities under their control include felony punishment outfits, intermediate sanction units and pre-release and transfer centers.
The TDCJ maintains an online search tool that can help inquirers track down people held at any of these establishments – the prison lookup tool records each inmate’s location and details on how to contact them. However, unlike some states, this tool can’t be used for looking up Texas parolees.
The TDCJ also facilitates individuals who want to send money to inmates. Each inmate has a trust fund account set up by the TDCJ and the department offers detailed steps for transferring funds to these trust fund accounts.8
The TDCJ has strict rules about visits. Visiting hours are between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays only. Each inmate can have just one visit per weekend.
If multiple visitors plan to see the same inmate, coordination between the visitors is required. This ensures none are turned away upon arrival at the unit.
The prison requires potential visitors to schedule their visitation a day or up till seven days before their intended visit. Adults must carry a valid government-issued photo ID during their visits.
How To Check Scheduled Texas Parole Hearings & Contact Supervising Officers
In the state of Texas, two kinds of parole hearings are held: preliminary and revocation. A person on parole has to show up for both hearings.
The Board of Pardons & Paroles preside over these hearings. They decide the status of the individual within two to four weeks after the hearing concludes. Citizens can contact the board at the following and obtain information about an individual’s hearing details:
Texas Board of Pardons & Paroles
8610 Shoal Creek Boulevard
Austin, Texas, 78757
Phone: Main Office – 512-406-5452, Parole Status Line – 844-512-0461
If someone’s parole gets canceled due in the hearings, then a written report is provided by the hearing officer explaining why this choice came about – detailing evidence of a violation that occurred.
In situations where justice seems unserved, an offender may ask the Board under Rule §146.11 for another chance—a reopening of their canceled parole for reconsideration.9
If members of the public want to report concerns about the parolee’s safety, their safety, and the safety of others, then they can get in contact with Regional and District Parole Offices (DPO). The state of Texas is divided into 5 regions (Region I, Region II, Region III, Region IV, and Region V) and citizens can contact their District Parole Office depending upon the region where they live.
How To Complete a Texas Probationer Search at No Cost
The court hands out probation among the initial punishment choices for an offender. This option replaces jail time for minor offenses, while on the other hand, parole is granted to offenders after they have gone through part of their assigned prison term. It offers a chance to leave prison earlier than originally planned.
The term for adult probation switched over to community supervision back in 2003 by the 71st Texas Legislature.10 In Texas, more than 375,000 individuals are serving their sentences within the community and can be searched at state or county levels.
State Level: At the state level, community supervision is managed by the Community Supervision & Corrections Department or CSCD. The CSCD office provides details on offenders who are currently serving community-based sentences. Citizens looking to get information on individuals serving community supervision can contact the CSCD on the following:
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Community Justice Assistance Division
209 West 14th Street, Suite 400,
Austin, Texas, 78701
Phone: (512)305-9300
County Level: The Harris County Community Supervision & Corrections Department (HCCSCD) maintains information on offenders on community service within the county. Information about current offenders can be obtained by sending a request via email.
To obtain information on an offender currently under the supervision of HCCSCD, individuals should send an email to [email protected]. Interested parties can also contact the HCCSCD directly through their system of several office branches across the county.
The community supervision records are maintained at either the state or the county level and are not available at the city level. To inquire about the individuals on community supervision in cities, towns or boroughs, citizens will need to get into contact with the state or county community supervision and corrections department.
In conclusion, finding individuals on parole or probation in Texas can be done through the above-mentioned sources. By following the guidance provided throughout this resource, anyone interested will find that performing a Texas parole search has been made much more manageable.
References
1Texas Department of Criminal Justice. (n.d.). Parole Division. Retrieved December 15, 2023, from <https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/divisions/pd/index.html>
2Texas Department of Criminal Justice. (n.d.). Contact. Retrieved December 15, 2023, from <https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/directory/index.html>
3Texas Department of Criminal Justice. (n.d.). Portal User Guide · Customer Self-Service. Integrated Victim Services System (IVSS). Retrieved December 15, 2023, from <https://ivss.tdcj.texas.gov/portal-user-guide/>
4Texas Department of Criminal Justice. (n.d.). Frequently asked questions · Customer Self-Service. Integrated Victim Services System (IVSS). Retrieved December 15, 2023, from <https://ivss.tdcj.texas.gov/frequently-asked-questions/>
5Texas Department of Criminal Justice. (n.d.). Parole Division – Warrants. Retrieved December 15, 2023, from <https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/divisions/pd/warrants.html>
6Texas Department of Criminal Justice. (n.d.). Correctional Institutions Division. Retrieved December 15, 2023, from <https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/divisions/cid/index.html>
7Texas Department of Criminal Justice. (n.d.). Inmate Information Search. Retrieved December 15, 2023, from <https://inmate.tdcj.texas.gov/InmateSearch/search.action>
8Texas Department of Criminal Justice. (n.d.). Inmate Trust Fund Deposit Options. Retrieved December 15, 2023, from <https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/documents/bfd/Deposit_Options_Flyer.pdf>
9Texas Administrative Code. (2019, May 12). RULE §146.11 Releasee’s Motion to Reopen Hearing or Reinstate Supervision. Retrieved December 15, 2023, from <https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=37&pt=5&ch=146&rl=11>
10Tarrant County. (2023, March 23). Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved December 15, 2023, from <https://www.tarrantcountytx.gov/en/community-supervision-corrections/about-us/FAQs.html>
11Harris County Community Supervision & Corrections Department. (n.d.). Branch Offices. Retrieved December 15, 2023, from <https://cscd.harriscountytx.gov/Locations/Branch-Offices>