Jails, Prisons & Probation Archives | Texapedia

DWI Arrest

Criminal Justice System Texas Criminal Law & Procedure

Arrest and Booking Procedures in Texas

An in-depth guide to arrest and booking under Texas law, including statutory requirements, magistrate hearings, and constitutional protections for the accused.

Texapedia StaffMay 28, 2025

prison release texas pardon board 800x500 1

Criminal Justice System State Agencies Texas Criminal Law & Procedure

Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles

Parole can give prisoners a fresh start, allowing release before the end of a prison sentence. Learn about the state agency that manages the Texas parole system.

Texapedia StaffNovember 21, 2022

texas juvenile justice facility yard

Criminal Justice System

Texas Juvenile Justice System

What happens when a child commits a crime? Texas law handles this is a variety of ways.

Texapedia StaffNovember 21, 2022

Door to county courtroom, flags in background

Criminal Justice System Texas Criminal Law & Procedure

Community Supervision

Learn the difference between probation and deferred adjudication—two legal tools that can keep defendants out of jail but affect their records differently.

Texapedia StaffApril 16, 2023

Waiting for Trial Oil Painting

Criminal Justice System Texas Criminal Law & Procedure

County Jails in Texas

Texas has over 230 county jails. Learn about the role and operations of these facilities.

Texapedia StaffNovember 19, 2022

Prisoner Mopping

Criminal Justice System State Agencies

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Texas has a sprawling prison system housing more than 100,000 inmates. Learn about the inmate population, prison facilities, jail employees, and controversies.

Texapedia StaffNovember 18, 2022

Criminal Justice System Geography & Demographics

Map of Prisons in Texas (2025)

Persons convicted of felony crimes in Texas are housed in prisons managed by the Department of Criminal Justice. Lower-level offenders usually are detained in county jails throughout the state or released on bond.

Texapedia StaffSeptember 19, 2025

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The basic nature of humanity is unchanging through the ages. Politics changes, technology, the economy, the environment, culture—all change. Yet humankind tends to repeat the same follies and to forget hard-learned lessons, age after age. For this reason, the ancient book of wisdom known as Ecclesiastes observed, "What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, 'See, this is new'? It has been already in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after” (Eccl. 1:9-11, ESV).

The study of history reminds us of the pitfalls, challenges, and triumphs of our forebears. It is not always a happy story (“All things are full of weariness," Eccles. 1:8), but it is a worthy pursuit for those seeking wisdom. History gives us not only knowledge of the past but also understanding of the present age: how it came to be, the forces that have shaped it, and insights into the nature of humanity itself.

As you explore Texas history, we invite you to imagine yourself living in another age. Try to picture yourself in the shoes of different people—leaders and common folks alike. This is how history becomes more than a ledger of events; its telling and retelling invite us to reflect, imagine, and grow.

There is no single “correct” way to read or write history. Yet beware of idealized versions of the past—simplistic, black-and-white narratives with distinct ‘good guys’ and ‘bad guys,’ often crafted for political ends. Such histories are easy to grasp and may feel morally compelling. But wisdom doesn’t necessarily come from reading history in a simple, idealized way. Instead, try grappling with nuance, search out details, ask probing questions, and consider perspectives that may not align with your own.

History need not be boring. At its best, it is a discipline that sharpens the mind, cultivates empathy, and helps us to know ourselves more deeply.

— Texapedia Staff

Texapedia is not affiliated with any political party, and the articles on this site are written in an encyclopedic tone. Yet a project like this is inherently political in a broader sense: it deals with government and civic life, and our stated mission is to equip citizens with knowledge to “reform what is lacking in their government while conserving what is good about it.”

This sounds simple enough, since we live in an age of abundant knowledge: search engines, AI chatbots, and digital repositories can provide us with reams of information on almost any topic in an instant. Yet many Americans are too distracted to take in any of it. Ours is also an age of addictive social media, viral outrage, and “bingeworthy” entertainment.

There is also a crisis of authority. Americans no longer know who to trust, what information is reliable, and how to separate noise from substance in public discourse. The information environment is chaotic and disputatious. Information is rarely presented in coherent, organized ways that provide context and detail. Instead, many Americans learn about the world around them through TikTok, Instagram reels, 100-word tweets, or cable news sound bites. The nation is more politicized than ever—yet less connected, less communal, less trusting.

Here at Texapedia, we look on these developments with concern. You can read more of our perspective in the essay Toward Civic Renewal: Recovering Sobriety in a Frivolous Age.

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