(TJJD) Youth Handbook - Texas Juvenile Justice Department

Whenever you leave a high security facility, there are many things to think about.TJJD will help you with things you may have to do like enrolling in school andregistering as a sex offender. Sometimes, TJJD also has to tell your victims youare getting out. If you are not in the U.S. legally, TJJD will have to tell federalofficials you are being released from a high security facility.Halfway HousesHalfway houses are the medium securityfacilities TJJD operates. They are locatedin some of the larger cities in Texas. Upto 22 youth live in each halfway house.Youth in halfway houses usually spendtheir days going to school or work ordoing community service andvolunteering. Evenings are spentparticipating in small group activitieswhere youth can practice skills, dohomework, and do chores. A halfwayhouse teaches you to live in thecommunity responsibly.Not all TJJD youth go to halfway houses.In fact, most do not. Youth who areassigned to halfway houses are usually those who have excelled in treatmentand don’t need to be in high security to finish their time. Or, they are youth whohave no home to go to. Ask your case manager if a halfway house might be anoption for you. If you do not have a safe home to go to, you may be also able tocomplete your parole in a halfway house.Special Community-Based Residential ProgramsIn addition to the TJJD high and medium restriction facilities, the agency alsocontracts with a number of companies to operate smaller facilities. Usually, thesefacilities serve specific needs. For example, girls who are pregnant or have smallchildren might be assigned to the WINGS program. Young boys under age 13might go to a program in San Antonio. After serving the minimum required time ina secure setting, boys might also go to a vocational trades program nearHouston to earn industry certifications.72