The department must give discharged or released inmates clothing, certain money, and sometimes a photo ID; eligible parole or similar release inmates are entitled to $100 and transportation, with a limited burial-expense spending authority and bank/reporting requirements.
Sec. 501.015. PROVIDING DISCHARGED OR RELEASED INMATE WITH CLOTHING AND MONEY; BURIAL EXPENSES. (a) When an inmate is discharged or is released on parole, mandatory supervision, or conditional pardon, the department shall provide the inmate with: (1) suitable civilian clothing; (2) money held in the inmate's trust account by the director; (3) cash, in an amount and in the manner described by Subsection (b); and (4) a personal identification certificate obtained under Section 501.0165, if available. (b) When an inmate is released on parole, mandatory supervision, or conditional pardon, the inmate is entitled to receive $100 from the department and transportation at the expense of the department to the location at which the inmate is required to report to a parole officer by the parole division. The inmate shall receive $50 on release from the institution and $50 on initially reporting to a parole officer at the location at which the inmate is required to report to a parole officer. If an inmate is released and is not required by the parole division to report to a parole officer or is authorized by the parole division to report to a location outside this state, the department shall provide the inmate with $100 and, at the expense of the department, transportation to: (1) the location of the inmate's residence, if the residence is in this state; or (2) a transit point determined appropriate by the department, if the inmate's residence is outside this state or the inmate is required by the parole division to report to a location outside this state. (c) The department may spend not more than $200 to defray the costs of transportation or other expenses related to the burial of an inmate who dies while confined in a facility operated by the institutional division. (d) The department shall provide the comptroller with funds sufficient to maintain not less than $100,000 in a bank or banks in this state for the purpose of making prompt payments to inmates required by Subsection (b). Funds maintained in a bank under this subsection must be secured by bonds or other securities approved by the attorney general. (e) A bank that maintains funds described by Subsection (b) shall make a weekly report to the comptroller on the condition of the funds. (f) Subsection (a)(3) does not apply to an inmate who on discharge or release on parole, mandatory supervision, or conditional pardon is transferred from the custody of the institutional division to a state jail felony facility or who is subject to a felony detainer and is released to the custody of another jurisdiction. Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 212, Sec. 2.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1989. Renumbered from Sec. 500.015 and amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 16, Sec. 10.01(a), eff. Aug. 26, 1991. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 238, Sec. 7.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 321, Sec. 1.082, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1423, Sec. 8.35, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 745, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 30, 1999. Amended by: Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1288 (H.B. 2161), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009. Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1022 (S.B. 2405), Sec. 51, eff. September 1, 2025.