General Information (updated with help from volunteer Kayla Bennett)

• Texas Commission on Jail Standards (info on meetings, standards, local jails)
• ACLU of Texas

The Prison and Jail Accountability Project of the ACLU is dedicated to making Texas prisons and jails safe and humane places to live and work. They monitor prisons and jails by tracking the conditions of confinement, and receive thousands of letters every year from prisoners and their families.

• Texas Civil Rights Project: Self-Help Resources

The Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP) promotes racial, social, and economic justice, and their
Prisoners’ Rights Program works to improve conditions in Texas prisons and jails through litigation and advocacy.

• VINELink

the online version of VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday). This service provides timely and reliable information about criminal cases and the custody status of offenders 24 hours a day. Includes a comprehensive list of internet links and toll-free numbers for victim services and resources in all 50 states.

Jail Grievances and Inmate Issues

• Texas Commission on Jail Standards - Jail Inquiries or Complaints.

A special state agency looks at issues having to do with treatment or lack of treatment of county jail inmates with medical conditions or mental illness:

• Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments.

Email: tcoommi@tdcj.state.tx.us

Groups and Publications Helping Inmates

Awesome grassroots group with the motto: "Sending Free Books to Texas Prisoners since 1998!"
They do it all with volunteers and donated books and donated bucks for mailing costs—and there's a personal
note with each book! Give Inside Books a few bucks when you can.

Prison Legal News is an independent 56-page monthly magazine that provides a cutting edge review and analysis of prisoner rights, court rulings and news about prison issues. PLN has a national (U.S.) focus on both state and federal prison issues, with international coverage as well. PLN provides information that enables prisoners and other concerned individuals and organizations to seek the protection and enforcement of prisoner's rights at the grass roots level.
Our heroes: they regularly challenge and sue the Texas jails that try to block inmates from receiving information or publications!

Religious Groups Working on Incarceration Issues

• Restorative Justice Network

A network of individuals and organizations that collaborate in creating and implementing Biblical solutions to the problems and challenges of those working with inmates and the criminal justice system.

• Project Matthew

Project Matthew is a faith based Parenting, Childbirth and Life Skills education and support program focused on mothers who may be incarcerated in County and State Jails, or residents in domestic violence and homeless shelters in Dallas, Texas. The amazing Lis Holland runs Project Matthew.

• Truth Be Told

A non-profit service organization providing transformational tools for women behind and beyond bars. Programs provide respectful listening and creative tools for personal and spiritual growth for incarcerated women. These folks know what they are doing; volunteers needed from the Gatesville area.

• Bridge to Life

A faith-based nonprofit corporation founded in 1998, with a primary mission to reduce crime by reducing the recidivism rate of released inmates. By participating in face-to-face sessions inside the prison, both victims and offenders participate in a restorative justice process.

Advocacy Groups Working to Improve Conditions and Communication

Advocates for, protects and advances the legal, human and service rights of people with disabilities.

'
TCJC is committed to identifying and advancing real solutions to the problems facing Texas ’ juvenile and criminal justice systems. 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 35 years, TX CURE has organized prisoners, their families, and others to work for Texas criminal justice laws, policies, and practices that recognize and affirm the humanity of all persons, achieve healing and reconciliation, and are effective in reducing crime and violence. Helga Dill has helped hundreds of inmates and families—and she needs your support!

TIFA members have united to support families affected by having a loved one in the Texas criminal justice system and to improve the conditions and life chances of Texas inmates. At their regional chapter meetings all over Texas, families can exchange information and hear speakers from both TDCJ and advocacy groups.

Read these blogs

• Grits for Breakfast

A must read! Looks at the Texas Criminal Justice System, summarizes and discusses news articles from around the state relating to criminal justice issues

• Stir Crazy in Texas

Focused on mental illness and the Texas criminal justice system.

• Liberty and Justice For Y'all

This blog is a resource on current issues involving criminal law and procedure in Texas.

• Texas Prison Bidness

Posts information about the growing prison-for-profit industry in Texas and shares information about the true costs of private prisons to individuals, families and communities in Texas and across the country.