Unit Transfers

Many people in TDCJ-ID find themselves assigned to a unit which is a long way from their home, family, or friends.  There are others who would like to pursue program opportunities at a different unit than where they reside.  Some folks just want a change of scenery.  Over the years, we have found that it is possible to convince TDCJ-ID to relocate someone, based upon the individual fact situation.

The best way to handle a transfer request and have it seriously considered is to present TDCJ-ID with a situation in which TDCJ-ID would benefit from the transfer.  For example, although upon entry to TDCJ-ID, you may have advised prison personnel of all of your abilities, this may have been long since forgotten.  With a prison population exceeding 152,000, you can’t expect prison personnel to remember everything about everyone.  I had a client who was a master welder in the free world and TDCJ-ID needed welders at a different unit which was closer to his home.  It was a matter of showing TDCJ-ID some pictures of his work from the free world and off he went to a new unit closer to his family.

With proper documentation, TDCJ-ID will consider transfers for humanitarian reasons.  If parents wish to visit a child, who is in prison, but are under a doctor’s care and cannot ride in a car for more time than it takes to get to the unit, TDCJ-ID will usually try to accommodate such a move.

In some situations, an inmate may wish to take a certain program which is offered at another unit.  In order to get to the new unit in enough time to get enrolled, you may need to act faster than waiting for the usual paperwork to wind its way through the system.  (This might be best described as needing a “squeaky wheel”.)

All possible situations cannot be outlined here.

Prior to advising you if a move is possible in your case, we need information about you.  This background form can be downloaded and completed, then mailed to me at the address listed under “Contact Us” for review, or completed on line and e-mailed to us.

It is usually best to have several possibilities in mind as to where you would like to go.  The folks at TDCJ-ID can get concerned if you absolutely have to go to one particular unit.

Copyright 2008, Paige Massey. All Rights Reserved.