Families Helping Families Navigate Texas Prisons
Find Ways to Support Your Loved Ones from the Outside
Resources for current issues
County Jail vs. TDCJ
County jails are regulated by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS). TCJS sets the minimum guidelines for county jails only.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) is regulated by the Texas Board of Criminal Justice (TBCJ). Members of the TBCJ are appointed by the Governor for 6-year terms.
TDCJ Healthcare
Families are used to navigating healthcare through primary care physicians, referrals to specialists, and obtaining authorization from the health insurance company.
However, inmates are limited to the healthcare provided by TDCJ and their healthcare partners: University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC).
Inmate Deaths
Condolences to anyone who has lost an incarcerated loved one. It is very difficult to get closure from TDCJ.
Texas Prison Talk wants to bring attention to the number of in-custody deaths. There are bad actors in a system driven by costs and budgets.