Post-conviction relief is a procedure that allows the defendant in a criminal case to bring more evidence or raise additional issues in a case after a judgment has been made (post-trial). With valid grounds, post-conviction relief can help a convicted individual obtain a fair resolution in their case.

As an independent and autonomous part of the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, the Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) conducts objective reviews of final convictions to determine whether some manifest injustice has occurred that may be corrected by the procedures provided by post-conviction law.

Post-conviction relief comes in two forms: equitable relief and legal relief.

Equitable relief may be granted if:

• the conviction is not contested, but
• the client presents a compelling and/or sympathetic situation. (Why does this person deserve relief? What is keeping this person from taking their next steps? How has this person changed since the offense (treatment, counseling, etc)? Letters from the community in support of relief are key here.

Legal relief may be granted if:

• there has been a conviction, and
• there is a credible legal claim (e.g., My attorney didn’t communicate with me. New evidence or evidence that went untested at the time of my trial shows that I'm innocent, etc.).

When a case is accepted, the CIU prepares an internal proposal/memorandum and presents it to the District Attorney for approval.

Even if a case does not end in an exoneration or an expunction, it can still be beneficial to the applicant.

Also note:

• The CIU cannot review every case where there is a bare claim of innocence.
• There is no magic formula; each case is different.
• The CIU cannot give legal advice to a defendant or a defendant's family members.
• It would be best to have your claim presented by a lawyer who is experienced in post-conviction criminal work.
• The Innocence Project of Texas and similar organizations can be extremely helpful in presenting new claims.
• The more proof that a conviction was wrongful, the more likely we are to review the case. Documents that support that claim are also helpful.
• When CIU accepts a case for review, it will be open-minded and objective.

Click here to learn more and submit a case for review.

The Community Reintegration Program offers mentally ill offenders treatment as an alternative to incarceration. CRP is designed to identify and divert offenders with mental health issues from incarceration to treatment. A psychologist from the Magistrate’s office screens individuals for mental illness; if detected, the accused person is released on bond by the judge, on condition that the person participates in mental health treatment. The Center’s CRP case managers partner with participants to help them earn and successfully complete probation in lieu of incarceration.

When people who have difficulty complying with psychiatric treatment receive an Involuntary Outpatient Commitment order from the Bexar County Probate Court, The Center provides intensive case management services: medication management, psychosocial rehabilitation, and linkage with other social services. The IOPC team also partners with family members and local agencies to stabilize residency at home and in the community.

The IOPC team meets weekly with the client, the Judge for Probate Court 1 and public defender to report progress and compliance with court-ordered treatment. Implementation plans are arranged with the client and their support network, including other CHCS programs. This program serves adults ages 18-65.

ACCESS provides individualized comprehensive services to address the special needs of individuals with mental health stipulations who are on probation/parole.

Helps with:

• Mental health treatment
• Housing
• Employment
• Connection to support resources

A federal mandate specifies that incarcerated individuals have access to religious services. Staff chaplains, as well as volunteers from many faith communities and the professional community provide worship services in 9 local detention and treatment facilities, as well as pastoral care as needed.

The FRC service family members of the incarcerated and individuals formerly incarcerated with:

• Assistance with basic needs (food, clothing, transportation, ID cards, etc.
• Employment assistance through job readiness, and job referrals.
• Regular support group meetings.
• Substance recovery classes.
• Chaplaincy services.
• English as a Second Language (ESL)
• Mental health counseling.
• Public utilities assistance (when funding is available).
• Parenting classes.
• Anger management classes.
• Art therapy for victims of domestic violence.

• Identification
• Proof of incarceration

Reentry classes, character development, substance recovery, and anger management classes are provided in most facilities served.

See website for list of facilities served.

The Center provides psychiatric and wraparound services for psychosocial rehabilitation, community referrals for medical and substance abuse treatment, peer support and social assistance. Referrals for dual diagnosed clients are received through the Felony and Misdemeanor Drug Courts. This program serves adults ages 18-65.

By rehabilitating non-violent offenders with substance abuse and mental health issues, drug courts reduce costs of confinement while we help people rebuild stable, productive lives. Participants are subjected to rigorous drug testing, probation visits, and 90 to 180 days of residential treatment. To graduate from the program, participants must attain a high school diploma or GED and secure full-time work.

We offer court mandated Theft Prevention classes.

At the Bexar County Reentry Center, we believe that everyone deserves an opportunity to overcome the things that brought them into the criminal justice system. Everyone deserves a second chance to realize their full potential and to become a happy, fulfilled, productive citizen. Programs available through the center can increase a formerly incarcerated persons’ level of employability, help them obtain higher levels of education or vocational training, and give them pride of ownership in our community.

This program is for formerly incarcerated individuals who need resources to successfully transition back into the community.

Free.

Addressing violence and abuse through networking, client education and empowerment

We work with the offender population in the Bexar County that are first-time arrestees on domestic violence charges and who are eligible for PR Bond, to educate about domestic violence, to promote healthy relationships, to lower recidivism rates, and intervene in the cyclical nature of domestic violence within the criminal justice system. Nine two hour sessions involve learning about their responsibilities and options with regard to stopping domestic violence, child custody, parental obligations, as survivors and or perpetrators of domestic violence, etc.

Court-mandated students only.

Are you ready to leave the past behind and start over? For those who want to start a new life, a better life, Changin' Lives is here to offer resources, to listen, and to let you know that you are not alone. We work through your challenges to help you reach your goals.

We want to help you become a self-sufficient, successful, productive citizen of our community by connecting you with felony-friendly employers, affordable housing resources, medical and social services referrals, mentoring, and one-on-one client case management.

By appointment only. Please call during business hours to schedule an appointment.

Free

New Life Ministry is a support group that brings a message of faith, hope, justice and reconciliation to all who are affected by crime, violence and addiction, whether they are offenders, victims, family members of incarcerated individuals, or public servants.

Free.

New Life Ministry is here for the purpose of giving people who are dealing with incarceration, hope, healing and support. The setting provides a structured way for people to share their stories and gain perspective from others through their experiences. It also provides support and knowledge of what is happening to their loved one in prison when they have no clue as to what is going on due to this being the first time dealing with incarceration.

New Life Ministry is for all those that need to know that they do not have to go through it alone.

New Life Ministry is a support group that brings a message of faith, hope, justice and reconciliation to all who are affected by crime, violence and addiction, whether they are offenders, victims, family members of incarcerated individuals, or public servants.

Free.

Crosspoint provides a structured residential environment for individuals referred by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the U.S. Probation Office or U.S. Pretrial Services.

Accountability is the foundation for this service model. Residents are held accountable for their behavior and progress throughout the program while staff is accountable for adhering to procedures that promote public safety. Every resident undergoes assessment and individualized program planning. After a short in-house orientation period the resident receives additional privileges which allow him/her to become further integrated into the community.

Measures of program progress include:

• obtaining employment
• development of a realistic budget
• improving family and community support systems
• remaining drug and alcohol-free
• development of a stable residential plan

The Crosspoint experience helps reduce recidivism and the attendant societal and economic costs by utilizing integrated, evidence-based services.

Crosspoint strives to forge the essential alliance between criminal justice supervision, community service providers and other community stakeholders to provide our clients with the resources and guidance necessary to lead productive lives and achieve restoration of citizenship.

Restoration of the individual, the family and the community at large is paramount and Crosspoint allows for individual restoration through community service projects, faith-based services, structured programming and supportive relationship with our staff.

Referral from the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the U.S. Probation Office, or U.S. Pretrial Services

We will provide affordable housing for the formerly incarcerated as well as supportive services such as assistance with application fees, down payments and deposits.

Formerly incarcerated.

We will partner with other organizations to aid in career searches and career placement services.

Formerly incarcerated.

We offer the following classes:

• DWI
• Anger management
• Theft
• Life skills
• Resume building
• Computer classes

We endeavor to partner with local school districts and community colleges to provide higher levels of education.

Formerly incarcerated.

We have a man to man mentoring program called Mentoring Big Brothers which is designed to match mentees with male mentors whom have had a brush with "the law" but have made a decision to transform their life and become productive members of society.

New Life Ministry (NLM) is an active program that provides continued support for families. See the website for active NLM Support groups at the local parishes.

Free for all.

Kairos Outside is designed to support the families of men, women, and youth who are, or have been incarcerated in the country’s state and federal correctional facilities.

KO can help bolster the loved ones who are supporting those incarcerated persons. We believe that the families of the incarcerated are “doing time” right along with their loved ones. Kairos Outside is intended to let those families know that there is a community that cares about them and their needs.

We provide a safe place for women to share with each other, and with those who are empathetic to their situation, their struggles and concerns. The women on the outside, in many ways, have to be stronger than their relative(s) on the inside to survive in today’s world.

We hope Kairos Outside will help them find strength for their life journey and give them a chance to find and build relationships that may last a lifetime.

Must apply to attend.

Click here for more information.

No cost to guests. Donations accepted.

Choose to Change Mentoring is a program offered by the Choose to Change Foundation. We work directly with men coming out of prison and/or men struggling with drugs and alcohol. We are a self-supporting, Christian based program that meets on a weekly basis (one hour meetings). We believe in the life-changing power of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Through our meetings and events, we teach personal development, personal responsibility, and life skills. Drug and alcohol education are key elements of all our programs, classes & events. Membership is completely free but we do encourage donations from our members and anyone that believes in what we do.

Our mentoring program is designed to give people a starting point to a better future. We do not claim to have all the answers but be assured that we do have answers.

A.C.D.C = Accountability, Consistency, Discipline & Courage. These are the core values at the forefront of our program. People, especially men, will be challenged to become more than they ever thought possible. This will be accomplished through our structured weekly meetings, events and a “60 day mentoring challenge” that is available to all members. We believe that people simple need to be inspired, challenged and equipped to believe in what sometimes might seem like impossibilities in their lives.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about our program. Please take a few minutes to read through the rest of this page. If you would like a closer look at what we do and why we do it, please give us a call or come by one of our weekly meetings or events. We look forward to seeing you soon.

A faith-based Christian outreach organization that ministers to and provides rehabilitation services for people who are struggling with addiction.

This unique program gives you an opportunity to share God’s love by helping to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the families of prisoners.

For many, it may also include following their parents down the same destructive road to incarceration. Angel Tree, a program of Prison Fellowship, reaches out to the children of prisoners and their families with the love of Christ.

To involve God’s people in bringing healing, wholeness and peace to victims, offenders and ex-offenders, and communities and those affected by crime by providing Pen Pals, bibles, spiritual reading material and funds to their commissary account for stamps, and writing material.

To encourage participation of the entire congregation to be a part of Restorative Justice through prayer, donations, and action. To bring awareness to members of the need to become aware and involved in justice for all God’s people where they see justice is not being demonstrated.

Meetings are held once a quarter on the 3rd Thursday of the month to do mass mail outs.

Our mission at SouthWest Tattoo Removal is to provide low-cost tattoo removal that opens more and better job opportunities, to obtain employment or enter the military or police force free from prejudice or discrimination.

By providing free or low-cost laser tattoo removal, SouthWest Tattoo Removal helps previously incarcerated individuals and victims of trafficking create positive employment opportunities and improve their lives.

For a free online consultation, send a photo of your tattoo to (210) 420-8385 or email us here.

General services begin at $45 per session.

Special pricing is in effect for students, those on probation or unemployed due to tattoos that show.

Discount pricing is also available for individuals without gang, abuse, or trafficking related tattoos, who wish to support the organization's mission.

Course participants will gain a thorough understanding of the emotion of anger as it relates to learned behavior, brain chemistry and subconscious imagery. Topics include: identifying and defining negative emotions, sources of anger, mind-brain connections, anger logs, addiction cycles, wrong strategies, methods for controlling anger, relationship types, the importance of a higher power, insightful concepts and tools for overcoming negative anger.

Life Skills for Living's Anger Management class is Bexar County Court approved.

Must be at least 12 years old.

• Six-hour Saturday accelerated class: $60.00
• One-on-one in person class: $60.00 session. (number of sessions determined by client and facilitator).
• Two-hour group class: $25.00 per class. (typically requires four classes to complete program).
• Six-hour online Anger Management class: $50.00.

Everyone will experience conflicts in their life. The word "conflict" will usually create negative thoughts. However, conflict can be positive as well as negative. Negative conflicts are disruptive, destructive and require a lot of energy. Positive conflicts can be a learning tool from which individuals can learn, grow and become closer in their relationship. Our staff includes certified conflict resolution specialists to help resolve and mediate disputes that become undesirable conflicts.

Must be at least 12 years old.

• Six-hour Saturday accelerated class: $60.00.
• One-on-one in person class: $60.00 session. (number of sessions determined by client and facilitator).
• Two-hour group class: $25.00 per class. (typically requires four classes to complete program).

Prepare/Enrich is a wonderful program designed to help people in any kind of relationships. Over the last three decades, over 2.5 million couples have benefited from the Prepare/Enrich Program. The program is designed to explore strength and growth areas, strengthen communication skills and develop a more balanced relationship. The ultimate goal of the program is to help those in relationships to understand personality differences and maximize teamwork.

Must be at least 12 years old.

• Six-hour Saturday accelerated class: $60.00.
• One-on-one in person class: $60.00 session. (number of sessions determined by client and facilitator).
• Two-hour group class: $25.00 per class. (typically requires four classes to complete program).