4 WILLIAM P. CLEMENTS, JR. GOVERNOR OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR STATE CAPITOL AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711 POSITION PAPER ON OVERCROWDING AT THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS In order to relieve overcrowding at the Texas Department of Corrections (TDC) and to attempt to meet the time limitations imposed by Judge Justice's order, the following recommendations are made: 1. Appropriation of $3,47208 to the Texas Adult Probation Commission ./e for halfway houses to divert probationers from TDC. This will allow an estimated 1701 probationers who would otherwise be sent to TDC to be diverted to-hal way houses. 2. Appropriation of an additional $182125,000 to the Board of Pardons tr. and Paroles for maximizing the use of halfway houses for parolees. When added to the $4,500,000 already proposed for halfway house programs for parolees, it is estimated that a total of 6,000 parolees can be released from TDC. The additional $18,125,000 appropriation will allow higher risk non-violent inmates to be paroled sooner and provide them with more assistance in remaining crime free. 3. Appropriation of additional funds for the purchase of the Harris County Rehabilitation Center when it becomes available, and addition- ally, to provide for the lease or purchase of facilities in the major metropolitan areas for adaption as work furlough centers by TDC. This follows the provisions of the current work furlough law and precludes the necessity of sending work furlough inmates to their private resi- dences where they would receive little or no supervision. 4. Appropriation of sufficient funds to allow TDC to contract with pri- vate construction companies to build new prison facilities. This will allow an accelerated construction rate in order to minimize the ceiling level placed on TDC by Judge Justice. 5. Opposition to any legislation that authorizes inmates on work fur- lough to be released to their private residences, and to any legislation that usurps the power and authority of the Board of Pardons and Paroles and the Governor in the parole process.