TAIP (Treatment Alternative to Incarceration Programs) is designed to assess a defendant’s substance abuse problems and assign an appropriate treatment plan. TAIP is not designed to punish an individual, but rather as a way to help individuals with substance abuse issues. Here are some answers to some frequently asked questions about Tarrant County’s TAIP program and what you can expect if you or a loved one is required to undergo a TAIP evaluation.
What is TAIP short for?
TAIP stands for Treatment Alternative to Incarceration Programs.
What is TAIP?
TAIP is a program designed by probation and corrections departments across the state of Texas to determine what treatments may be necessary for offenders with a drug or alcohol problem. Instead of serving time in jail or prison for drug or alcohol crimes, TAIP was created as a way for offenders to be treated through programs such as rehab or counseling. After program administrators determine a defendant’s drug and alcohol dependency, an appropriate treatment plan is designed to hopefully rehabilitate and prevent future drug or alcohol-related crimes.
Who oversees TAIP in Tarrant County?
The TAIP program is overseen by the Tarrant County Community Supervision and Corrections Department.
Who schedules a TAIP evaluation?
A TAIP evaluation is assigned and scheduled by a probation officer and is then conducted by a licensed counselor by the state of Texas.
What happens in a TAIP evaluation?
A TAIP evaluation will usually begin with a series of questions designed to determine the individual’s substance use history and habits. These are simple questions to ascertain what types of drugs you have used, how long you have been using, etc. During a TAIP evaluation, you should also expect to take a drug test. After the interview and evaluation is complete, a score is given indicating what level of treatment is necessary. The defendant is then assigned a treatment plan that officials believe will result in the highest likelihood of success in reducing substance abuse and crime.
What types of drug programs are offered in Tarrant County through TAIP
There are multiple outcomes after a TAIP assessment is completed. The vast majority of probationers, around 97 percent, will be assigned to an Outpatient Substance Abuse Counseling program, which can last around six months.
There are other less common outcomes, such as Detoxification Treatment, which takes around three days to complete. There is also Intensive Residential Treatment, which is an in-house program that lasts around 30 days. There is also a Standard Residential Treatment program that lasts around 60 days. These treatments are given to probationers with serious abuse problems and are also relatively uncommon.
It’s possible that a drug abuse professional could also find that no treatment is necessary and recommend that to a judge, however it is still the judge’s discretion to assign treatment.
Is TAIP a statewide program?
Yes. It initially started in the 1990s as a response to a major increase in drug crimes. At first, the TAIP program was only available in Bexar, Dallas, El Paso, Harris, Tarrant, and Travis counties, but it is now used in 114 Texas counties. In 2018, out of the 14,381 individuals assigned treatment through TAIP, 13,538 people successfully completed treatment or around 94 percent.
