Sec. 501.009. VOLUNTEER AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS; REPORT. (a) The department shall adopt a policy that requires each warden to identify volunteer and faith-based organizations that provide programs for inmates housed in facilities operated by the department. The policy must require each warden to actively encourage volunteer and faith-based organizations to provide the following programs for inmates in the warden's facility:

(1) literacy and education programs;

(2) life skills programs;

(3) job skills programs;

(4) parent-training programs;

(5) drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs;

(6) support group programs;

(7) arts and crafts programs; and

(8) other programs determined by the department to aid inmates in the transition between confinement and society and to reduce incidence of recidivism among inmates.

(b) The policy must require that each warden submit a report to the board not later than December 31 of each year that includes, for the preceding fiscal year, a summary of:

(1) the programs provided to inmates under this section; and

(2) the actions taken by the warden to identify volunteer and faith-based organizations willing to provide programs to inmates and to encourage those organizations to provide programs in the warden's facility.

Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 212, Sec. 2.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1989. Renumbered from Sec. 500.009 and amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 16, Sec. 10.01(a), eff. Aug. 26, 1991. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 321, Sec. 1.076, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Amended by:

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1406 (S.B. 345), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013.