COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS PROGRAMS / RESOURCES

2. Urinalysis--- Urine testing is used to determine whether or not an offender is involved with illegal substances, as well as to monitor ongoing offender compliance with the community supervision requirement of avoiding drug and/or alcohol use.   Kleberg County CSCD operates their own lab, with the Abbott ADX Laboratory system. 

3. Employment Program--- A job search model is used for preparing the offender for the job market and helping him acquire and maintain satisfactory employment.  Some job development with local businesses is also available to offenders.  The job search specialist also networks with the local office of the Texas Workforce Commission and JTPA.

4.  Education Program--- The department currently employs an Educational Specialist, and networks with the Kingsville Community Education Center, the Kingsville Public Library, JTPA, Texas A&M, Kingsville Literacy program, to provide educational testing/assessment, literacy classes or tutoring, and classes in adult basic education or G.E.D. preparation. 

5.  Community Service Restitution--- A condition of community supervision which mandates an offender work a specified number of hours at a community service project in order to make restitution to the community for the crimes committed.  The Court may also, under certain conditions, require a defendant to serve CSR in lieu of confinement in a county jail or in lieu of court-ordered financial obligations such as fine, court costs, attorney fees, etc.  The offender is not financially compensated for services performed while accruing CSR hours. 

6.  Anger Management Program---  An aggression control group for males and females.  The counseling experience addresses multiple issues, e.g. personal, familial, criminal, social and anger-coping skills. Modalities used for this program include emphasis on cognitive restructuring, living skills development, role-playing and some thematic based learning approach.  The program module duration is set for a 30-hour counseling experience. 

7.  Alternatives To Sexually Abusive Behaviors Group--- The Sex Offender population is served by a contract Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who is supervised by a member of the Texas Sex Offender Registry.  Offenders receive six (6) monthly hours of therapy including some individual sessions as needed.  Offenders go through a transition of increased treatment hours based on attendance, admission of offense, participation and progress evaluated by the LPC, Supervisor for Counseling Services and the Community Supervision Officer.  The program modality relies heavily on recognizing and accepting personal responsibility, victim empathy, recognizing the deviance cycle of sexually offensive behavior crimes, cognitive restructure, confrontation, personal history (possible victimology), coping skills and the translation of personal rage through criminal sexual behaviors.

8.  Texas DWI Education Program--- Article 42.12, Section l3(h),Code of Criminal Procedure requires persons convicted of first offense DWI and receiving probation, to attend and successfully complete an educational program certified by the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Failure to complete the program within l80 days (unless an extension was granted) from the date probation was granted will result in the offender's license being revoked. The license cannot be reinstated until the educational program is completed. The standardized program is 12 hours in length and is designed to help DWI offenders increase their knowledge about alcohol and drugs as these substances relate to driving skills, to identify their own individual drinking/drug use and driving patterns, and to assist them in developing plans which will reduce the probability of future DWI behavior. Specific course topics include alcohol/drug and traffic safety problems, Texas laws relating to DWI, effects of alcohol/drugs on humans, alcohol/drugs and driving task abilities, chemical dependency, symptoms of dependency, sources of assistance, costs of DWI, and decision-making.

9.  Texas Alcohol Education Programs for Minors (AKA Minor in Possession (MIP) Program)--- Section 106.115, Alcoholic Beverage Code, requires minors convicted of first or subsequent offenses for the purchase, possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages to attend an alcohol awareness course approved by the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse in addition to assessing a fine. If a TCADA approved course is not available, the court shall require the defendant to perform 8-12 hours of community service. Failure to complete the alcohol awareness course or community service within 90 days of conviction will result in a license suspension of up to 6 months. TCADA has adopted minimum operational requirements for alcohol awareness programs seeking our approval. Administrator/instructor training in the use of the standardized curriculum is offered quarterly.

The standardized program is six hours in length and is designed to help participants increase their knowledge about alcohol and drugs among young people. The curriculum contains information on the following topics: societal values related to alcohol consumption by minors, the influence of alcohol advertising on young people, the physical, social and psychological effects of alcohol upon young people; the relationship between motor vehicle and other accidents and alcohol use; relevant laws relating to the purchase, possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages by minors, drinking patterns and problems of young people including abuse and addiction and decision making skills. Training for instructors and administrators in the use of the curriculum is on going. 

10. DWI Repeat Offender Education Program--- Article 42.12, Section 13(j), Code of Criminal Procedure requires persons convicted of subsequent DWI offenses to attend a program for "repeat offenders" approved by TCADA. Failure to complete the program will result in the offender's license being revoked until the program has been completed. This standardized program is 32 hours in length and is designed for multiple DWI offenders and/or others who have alcohol/drug related problems for which the first offender program was not designed to address. The program purpose is to intervene in the alcohol/drug abusing lifestyles of the offenders in order to encourage entry into treatment where indicated as well as to prevent further substance abuse related problems. Specific course topics include lifestyle issues, values, self-esteem, positive thinking vs. irrational beliefs, responsibility, physiological/psychological effects of drugs, alcoholism, chemical dependency, how drug abuse effects family members, co-dependency, Al-Anon, treatment options, l2-Step Self-Help Groups, peer pressure, relapse prevention, problem solving and action planning.

11. Texas Drug Offender Education Program--- Section 521.371-521.377, Texas Transportation Code (formerly Article 6687b, Section 24B, Texas Civil Statutes) states that persons convicted of misdemeanor or felony drug offenses will automatically have their licenses suspended for a period of six months. In order to have their license reinstated, they must attend and successfully complete an education program on the dangers of drug abuse approved by TCADA. Failure to complete the program will result in the license being revoked indefinitely until the education program is completed. The standardized program is 15 hours in length and is designed to increase the knowledge of drug offenders by educating them on the dangers of drug abuse and associated illegal activities, to identify their own individual drug-use patterns, and to assist them in developing a personal action plan which will reduce the probability of suffering the consequences of future drug using and illegal behavior. Specific course topics include history of drug abuse, drug/DWI laws, dynamics of drug use, drugs of abuse, how drugs work, cost of use and abuse, health issues, HIV, interpersonal relationships, deglamorization of drugs, values and behaviors, past and desired behaviors, getting control of your life, resource options, and personal action planning. (Not applicable to deferred adjudication).

12.  Antabuse Program--- Antabuse is the more common brand name of Disulfiram which is primarily used as an aid for enforced sobriety from alcohol in efforts to apply supportive treatment/counseling.  Participants are medically cleared prior to ingesting medication and remain under medical supervision for the course of ingestion (usually six months).  As part of the program, offenders may be required to attend Outpatient, Intensive Outpatient or Relapse Prevention Counseling Services.

13. Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous (AA/NA)--- These self-help groups are set up on the principles, guidelines and traditions of AA.  Groups are free, open to the public and operate out of anonymity to provide support to members and non-members.  There is no affiliation with any one group other than carrying the message of sobriety to those who want it.  Offenders provide sign-in verification sheets as proof of their Court-ordered attendance or adjunct counseling recommendations.

14.  Ignition Interlock--- This device is Court-ordered for all Felony DWI repeat offenders.  This device is designed to measure and record an offender's Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level before operating a motor vehicle.  If BAC is below the set legal limit (<.08 BAC) the vehicle will start however, if BAC is above the set legal limit (>.08 BAC), the vehicle will not start.  The device is designed to record all BAC readings, vehicle starts and stops, violations, etc., as well as the date and time of each event.  The events are captured on a computer each time the offender goes to a service center for monitoring.

15.  Mental Health & Mental Retardation (MHMR)--- This program is designed to serve individuals with mental illness and mental retardation in greatest need of services.  Community mental health services and supports, assists individuals in achieving success in having a place to live, a job and a positive relationship with family and friends.  Individuals access services through the MHMR authority in their county, which links people with appropriate service providers.  Services range from 24-hour crisis care stabilization & respite to supported employment opportunities, supportive housing, in-home assistance and more.

16.  Battering Intervention and Prevention Project (BIPP)--- A group program designed to provide counseling services to perpetrators of family violence.  The curriculum is designed to hold perpetrators of family violence accountable for their behavior, challenges their belief and value structures and offers alternatives to their violent actions.