TDCJ reports reentry/reorganization gains: vacancies fall and peer programs expand
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Summary
TDCJ’s Rehabilitation & Reentry Division reported organizational merges and program changes that reduced licensed-clinical vacancies (SOTP down from ~35% to 17.3%), expanded certified peer specialists, increased monthly SUTP enrollment from about 151 to 561, and launched an inmate-facing ITP built in Workday for real-time program visibility.
TDCJ’s Rehabilitation and Reentry Division told the board on Dec. 18 that a year-long reorganization and targeted staffing changes have cut vacancy rates and expanded in-prison peer-support programming.
Division Director April Zamora described a phased merge beginning in November 2024 that combined reentry functions with parts of rehabilitation programs and private-facility contract monitoring. The consolidation increased division headcount from roughly 300 to nearly 700 positions and prompted targeted salary adjustments for licensed clinical roles the agency found hard to fill.
Zamora said the vacancy rate in State Offender Treatment Programs (SOTP) fell from about 35% at the time of the merge to 17.3% after the salary changes and focused recruiting. She also said monthly enrollment in state SUTP programs rose from an average of about 151 participants to roughly 561 after moving to tablet-based curriculum delivery and regionalization of beds.
The division has grown certified peer programs — including certified mental-health peers, peer recovery specialists and reentry peer specialists — and deployed peers into restrictive-housing and therapeutic settings. Zamora highlighted a new inmate-facing Individual Treatment Plan (ITP) in Workday, which she said provides public and inmate views of program descriptions, status and enrollment and reduces manual requests for placement.
A parolee who spoke during the meeting credited parole staff and volunteer programs with supporting his successful reentry. Community partners and board members praised the expansion and noted continued focus on reducing wait times for programming.
Zamora said staff are rolling out additional program classes and expanding capacity at units such as Sanchez and Clements to regionalize treatment nearer release locations.
