ISF: Intermediate Sanction Facilities in Texas

Probation and parole violations can lead to revocations that generally result in a person being sentenced to jail or prison. However, incarceration is not a forgone conclusion when someone is facing a revocation. One alternative is an Intermediate Sanction Facility (ISF).

What is an Intermediate Sanction Facility?

An Intermediate Sanction Facility is an in-custody treatment alternative for medium—to high-risk felony offenders facing probation or parole revocations. The legislature authorized the implementation of Intermediate Sanction Facilities in Texas to alleviate prison overcrowding. These short-term treatment facilities are designed to help offenders address the underlying reasons they commit crime and provide an alternative to prison when a probationer or parolee is facing a revocation.

Probation in Texas – Either by agreement with the prosecutor or based on the recommendation of a judge or jury, some felony offenders may be placed on probation instead of being sent to prison. Click here to learn more about probation and deferred adjudication in Texas.

Parole in Texas – The parole system in Texas allows some prisoners to be released back to the community under supervision. A parolee is required to adhere to strict standards, and a failure to comply with the parole conditions may result in the parolee’s return to prison.

An offender can be sentenced to ISF for a period of 45 to 120 days. The offender enters under one of three programs: Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse Relapse, or Cognitive Intervention.

What is the Substance Abuse Treatment Track?

This program is designed to help the offender deal with substance abuse issues so that they can avoid all the potential complications that arise from them, especially those that relate to the offender ending up back in jail or prison. This program takes 90 days to complete.

What is the Substance Abuse Relapse Track?

This program is designed to help offenders who have previously received some form of substance abuse program, but have since relapsed into using again. This program takes 45 days to complete. The Relapse Track requires the offender to have previously completed a substance abuse program (specifically a Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Facility program, other therapeutic community treatment programs, or have a history of residential treatment).

What is the Cognitive Intervention Track?

This program is designed to help offenders deal with mental or emotional issues as well as building life skills. This program takes 90 days to complete.

The judge can order a 30-day extension in some circumstances, meaning that the maximum time a person may spend in an ISF is 120 days. Additionally, once a person is released from ISF, they are generally required to complete an after-care program.

Common Reasons for an ISF Sentence

In Texas, an Intermediate Sanction Facility (ISF) is a correctional facility that provides a more structured environment for offenders who have violated the terms of their community supervision (probation or parole). Offenses that most commonly result in placement in an ISF include:

• Technical Violations of Probation or Parole: This includes failing to meet the conditions of probation or parole, such as missing appointments with probation officers, failing drug tests, not completing community service, or not attending required treatment programs.
• Drug-Related Offenses: Offenders with substance abuse issues often end up in ISF due to repeated drug use or possession violations while on probation or parole. This includes possession of controlled substances, failure to attend mandatory drug treatment programs, or failing drug tests.
• Property Crimes: Crimes such as theft, burglary, or criminal mischief, especially when committed by repeat offenders or those who have violated probation conditions, can result in ISF placement.
• Driving While Intoxicated (DWI): Repeat DWI offenders or those who violate probation terms related to alcohol use may be sent to an ISF.
• Assault and Domestic Violence: Offenders convicted of assault or domestic violence who violate probation terms or who are deemed to need more intensive supervision may be placed in an ISF.
• Failure to Comply with Court-Ordered Programs: Offenders who do not comply with court-ordered programs, such as anger management, domestic violence intervention, or other rehabilitation programs, can be sent to an ISF.

ISF Inmate Search

If you are looking for someone who is currently in ISF, check out our page on TDC facilities.

In order to be admitted into intermediate sanction facility, your attorney must obtain an order from the judge to send you to ISF instead of prison. This may require a hearing, and it will require the judge to determine ISF is a more appropriate outcome than revoking the person and sending them to prison.