Relating to an annual report by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on post-release or post-discharge employment and certain other inmate data.
Summary
SB 697 requires the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to produce an annual report to the Legislature and post it on its website covering inmate population and post-release employment outcomes. The report must include the number of inmates confined during the prior fiscal year, broken down by offense, parole eligibility, race, ethnicity, and gender, as well as employment-related information for people released or discharged from TDCJ in the prior fiscal year.
The employment data must include the average time it takes former inmates to find work after release, with a comparison for those who participated in career and technical education programs through TDCJ or the Windham School District, and the number of former inmates who applied for and received occupational licenses. The report must also cover, for the prior three fiscal years, the number of released or discharged inmates employed by industry and their median wages, disaggregated by facility of release or discharge. TDCJ may work with the Texas Workforce Commission or other third parties to gather the information, and the agency may adopt rules to implement the reporting requirement.
Impact
The bill adds Section 493.036 to the Government Code, creating a new statutory reporting duty for TDCJ. It does not change sentencing, parole, or release standards, but it does expand state reporting obligations and requires the agency to collect, organize, and publish detailed demographic and workforce outcome data on incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people. The first report would be due January 30, 2026, and the act would take effect September 1, 2025.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and its referral history, the measure appears to be a noncontroversial oversight and transparency bill focused on reentry outcomes. There are no recorded votes or committee transcripts indicating opposition or support, and the bill was referred to the Senate Criminal Justice Committee. The overall tone of the legislation suggests interest in data-driven policymaking, workforce reentry, and accountability rather than punitive reform.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the available materials. Potential areas of debate, if raised, could include the administrative burden on TDCJ, the privacy implications of reporting detailed demographic and employment data, and the need for coordination with outside agencies such as the Texas Workforce Commission. Supporters would likely emphasize transparency, reentry success, and the value of tracking employment and licensing outcomes for formerly incarcerated individuals.
Relating to an annual report on the use of administrative segregation in facilities operated by or under contract with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.