How to Check Parole Status in Texas

If you have questions about how to check parole status in Texas, this post is for you.

In the state of Texas, anyone may check the current parole status of a person released from prison. The simplest way to check the individual’s parole status is to send an email or make a phone call to the appropriate agency. There are several portals to search for an individual’s parole or criminal offender status as well.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) is the agency responsible for the administration of prison paroles and the state prison system. It’s possible for any member of the general public to access information about individuals under the supervision of the TDCJ:

• To obtain information about an individual’s parole review status contact the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles in Austin TX at 844-512-0451 (8am – 5pm CST, Monday – Friday).
• Call the TDCJ Parole Division for information about an offender’s release status after he or she was granted parole at 512-406-5202.

Is someone you know eligible for parole?
Contact parole attorney Greg Tsioros today to discuss their case »

Information You Need to Obtain TDCJ Parolee Information

You must have the offender’s name, his or her State Identification Number or TDCJ number to obtain information about a parolee. Alternatively, if you do not have the inmate’s identification numbers, provide his or her full name and date of birth. The TDCJ may be able to access the information you need with these details.

• Make inquiries about parolee location, parole supervision, or parolee conduct by email at div@tdcj.texas.gov. Reference the parolee in the email’s subject line.
• Send general questions concerning the Texas parole process to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles by email at bpp-pio@tdcj.texas.gov.

TDCJ Absconders and Tipsters

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice accepts tips and information from the public concerning parolee’s who have 1) ceased required contact with their parole officer and 2) vanished from the Texas Criminal Justice System:

• Call TDCJ’s Tip Line to report absconders at 866-680-6667.
• The Command Center of TDCJ’s Warrant System accepts anonymous tips. Contact the tip line 24/7.

Parole Status Search

Visit the TDCJ Offender Information Search portal to search for an offender’s projected release date or housing location (within all TDCJ facilities). Note that information on the TDCJ portal changes frequently.

Anticipate that the secure TDCJ portal will be slow. Be patient. You can retrieve information about an inmate’s projected release date, housing unit, or current parole status. Typically, information on the TDCJ portal is accurate, at least 24 hours old, and updated within several days.

To obtain information from the Offender Information Search portal, enter the individual’s:

• Last name
• First name
• TDCF number
• SID number
• Gender (select from the drop down menu)
• Race

Press the “Search” button below. The information should appear on a new page.

If you do not have all of the information above, you may search the portal using a minimum of the inmate’s last name PLUS his or her first initial of their first name, his or her TDCJ state identification number (SID) or TDCJ number.

The TDCJ requires inmate relatives to call his or her unit before going to pick up their loved one.

TDCJ Classification

Contact TDCJ about classification questions at classify@tdcj.texas.gov. Include the offender’s:

• TDCJ number
• Location
• Conviction offense
• Incarceration history (include the inmate’s offense; county; and court of conviction/offense(s) for which he was she was previously incarcerated)
• Current incarceration information (include the offense; court of conviction; and county)
• Prisoner’s projected release date. [This information is determined by the offender’s nature of offense and his or her offense date. If the offender committed an offense before September 1, 1996, and the offense is mandatory supervision-eligible, he or she will be released by TDCJ on the projected release date (if not paroled). If the offender committed an offense on or after September 1, 1996, and his or her offense is mandatory supervision-eligible, he or she may be released at BPP’s discretion. If the offense isn’t mandatory supervision-eligible, or if his/her release isn’t approved by BPP, his or her projected release date is the discharge date.

Place the offender’s full name, if known, in the email subject line. TDCJ does not charge for this information. The inmate’s Social Security Number and/or photographs of him or her are not available to the public.

Contact parole attorney Greg Tsioros to discuss your case »

Texas Parole Packet

Don’t forget about the importance of the Texas parole packet.

If your friend or loved one is parole eligible, or will soon be eligible for parole in Texas, you may ask “When is the best time to prepare a Texas parole packet?”

The short answer to this question is right now. Start immediately.

A Texas parole packet, also called a parole presentation package, is the inmate’s collection of pictures and/or documents to be sent to Texas parole board voting members. It’s a highly useful tool to help the voting members get to know the future parolee better.

The parole packet is especially important in Texas. The inmate isn’t usually granted an interview and he or she won’t meet with the voting members of the parole board.

Remember that the voting members of the parole board will do better with more information rather than too little. If they need information and it’s not available, there’s no time or means for them to obtain it.

What’s more, proper and thorough assembly of the Texas parole packet can take longer than you might think.

Unfortunately, some inmates must submit a partial parole packet. That’s unfortunate because, when you’re up for parole in Texas, you want all the help available.

An experienced Texas parole attorney can help you or your loved one to prepare a complete parole packet. Presenting a thoughtful parole packet can make a difference in the outcome of the parole hearing.

Summary of How to Check Parole Status in Texas

Information concerning the release date of an offender within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice is available within the public domain.

TDCJ’s online search page allows anyone to search for the inmate’s location and/or his or her release date (offenders or parolees).

Many people report it’s easiest to obtain these details by email or telephone. Realize that the inmate’s projected release date isn’t the guaranteed release date. The exact date of the offender’s release is subject to change.

To perform an online search:

• Step 1. Visit the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Offender Information Search portal.
• Step 2. Provide the request details about the offender by typing them into the TDCJ online offender search page portal. Gather as much information as possible before performing the search. Provide his or her full name and date of birth or his or her state identification number (SID) or TDCJ number.
• Step 3. Enter requested details into the search field(s). Press the Search button. You will see a new page with the offender’s release date information.

Contact an Experienced Texas Parole Lawyer

If you or your loved one is up for Texas parole in the near future, know that legal assistance now can make a substantial difference in your case outcome.

Preparing and presenting a thorough parole packet can encourage a deeper review of the inmate’s paper file, uncover an extenuating circumstance, or underscore his or her positive merits.

The Law Office of Greg Tsioros understands that voting members of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles need to hear both sides of the offender’s story.

Texas parole and probation lawyer Greg Tsioros will tell your story to members of the parole board. He has devoted his legal practice to helping incarcerated people and families to secure parole in Texas.

Contact The Law Office of Greg Tsioros in Houston at 832-752-5972 to request an evaluation of your case now.