PROGRAM OVERVIEW
FOR THE 33RD & 424th JUDICIAL DISTRICTS
INTERMEDIATE SANCTION FACILITY

MISSION

The Intermediate Sanction Facility's mission is to provide an intensive, structured, residential setting that teaches personal work ethic by mandating performance of work detail. This is done in the hope that it will assist offenders whose dysfunctional lifestyle has been assessed as being due to the lack of adequate educational and life skills, failure to maintain employment and/or are at the risk of revocation. The Intermediate Sanction Facility provides the Court system with a viable means of managing the needs of salvageable offenders within the guidelines, which conform, to reasonable public safety.

EMPLOYMENT COMPONENT

Some residents if requested by the sending CSCD or deemed eligible by the ISF staff are allowed to find employment. Studies have shown that many of the problems encountered by probationers have been traced to their inability to obtain or maintain steady employment. The component is designed to instill in the residents a sense of responsibility, self worth, confidence, and accomplishment. We also address the fact that many residents enter the program owing a substantial amount of money to the Court, victims, and creditors. A full-time employment specialist oversees the structured employment. 

SUBSTANCE ABUSE COMPONENT

Some resident’s if requested by the sending CSCD or deemed eligible by the ISF Counselor are enrolled in the substance abuse program. Our substance abuse program is a secure residential program which provides substance abuse treatment and counseling to non violent felony offenders whose substance abuse problem contributed significantly to their committing a crime. A full-time LCDC counselor oversees the structured substance abuse program. The substance abuse component consists of a twelve week intensive treatment plan followed by aftercare. Our counselor employs a spirit of common sense and courtesy which fosters a professional and positive working relationship with the ISF residents.

RESIDENT ELIGIBILITY

Placement of residents in the Intermediate Sanction Facility shall only be by an order of the court and shall meet the following criteria:

1. The defendant did not cause serious bodily injury or death of another as a result of the commission of the offense.
2. The defendant did not use a deadly weapon during the commission of or flight from the offense.
3. The defendant matches the profile of offenders historically committed to county jail/prison, or the defendant has high risk/needs, who if supervised at a lower supervision level would have increased the likelihood of violating the conditions of probation.
4. The defendant must not have a long or serious history of resorting to violence.
5. The defendant must not have any other court cases pending.
6. The defendant must not have a history of aggressive sexual deviant behavior.
7. The defendant must not be suffering from any mental disorder and must be in good physical health.
8. The defendant must be 18 years of age or older.
9. The defendant must be able to perform strenuous manual labor and physical activity without risk to health.

It is important to note that the Facility is not designed to be a holding cell for offenders waiting for disposition with the court, nor for those waiting for a vacancy in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ-ID). It is not a treatment center for those addicted to drugs or alcohol, and it shall not be used as a diagnostic facility to determine offender eligibility for rehabilitation center services. However the Facility does offer programs that may address some of these needs (See Cognitive Classes Page). The Facility shall not serve as an emergency shelter for probationer crises, nor to relieve overcrowding in county jails. The resident may be placed in the Facility only by court order.

The Intake Coordinator with the assistance of the Facility Supervision Officer screens potential residents and recommendations are made to the Facility Director regarding the appropriateness of the placement according to applicable standards. Appropriate placements will be accepted on a space-available basis. The Director has the authority to deny admission to any ineligible applicant.

PROGRAM OPERATIONS

The 33rd and 424th Judicial Districts Intermediate Sanction Facility is a 54-bed facility, which houses residents from one hundred eighty days to twenty-four months. The average stay is just over 180 days. The Facility provides an intensive, structured, residential setting that teaches personal work ethic by mandating performance of Work Detail. The Facility assists offenders by providing cognitive skills, educational programs, life skills programming, employment preparation, and employment.
The Facility promotes responsible behavior by using a phased incentive program. As a resident demonstrates more responsibility by his actions and progresses throughout the program, he earns more privileges and ultimately a recommendation for release from the program.
While in the Facility, each resident's progress is evaluated for the court by the Facility Supervision Officer every180 days. If the judge determines the resident has demonstrated an acceptance of responsibility, the court may order the resident released from the Facility. Upon discharge the former resident is required to make contact with his supervision officer from the sending jurisdiction. He should be supervised according to his risks to the community and his needs as a rehabilitating offender.
If the court determines a resident has not made satisfactory progress, the court may revoke the resident's probation and incarcerate the offender at the TDCJ-ID. Should this occur, the offender would not receive any credit for the time served in the Facility.


COMMUNITY BENEFITS

There are several ways the community benefits from the Facility. The program provides community protection through positive supervision. In addition, residents must provide work detail to non-profit organizations and governmental agencies. Resident's are also reintegrated to their community as more positive and productive members of society. After five years of operation about 50% of Facility graduates have successfully completed or continue to successfully complete their original probationary period.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Since the 33rd Judicial District Intermediate Sanction Facility is a community-based program, community input and participation are vital to the success of the Facility. Citizen feedback, information, and ideas are welcome.

33rd & 424th Judicial Districts
Intermediate Sanction Facility