TSEU’s TDCJ Parole Caucus has been greatly concerned that the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Parole Division has not enacted sensible measures to keep all staff safe. Activists feel that TDCJ’s current policy, procedures and directives put workers at risk of catching and spreading the COVID 19 virus.
While many Texas agencies are allowing employees to work remotely, TDCJ has stubbornly refused the same safety measures to its employees. Parole Officers are currently able to do their job remotely especially since HB 374 was signed into law during the last legislative session, making it possible for Parole officers to supervise most offenders through videoconferencing. TDCJ Parole still refuses to comply despite already possessing the technology for videoconferencing procedures. Working remotely would cut down on the current spread of COVID 19 in Parole Offices.
TDCJ has also issued directives for quarantine procedures that would allow employees who have been exposed to the virus to quarantine at home for 14 days. However, TDCJ does not adhere to their own policy. Currently, while workers testing positive for COVID are allowed to self-quarantine, their coworkers who were exposed are still required to report to work with no change. This leads to clusters of infections and increased exposure.
Our final cause for concern is that several Parole Offices have had documented instances of individuals with COVID inside the lobby of the offices and TDCJ Parole is refusing to deep clean and follow the proper CDC Guidelines to stop the spread of this pandemic.