In 1997, Texas offenders completed more than three million hours of public service projects worth millions of dollars in tax savings to local governments. The service jobs range from removing asbestos in public schools to cleaning storm damage from creeks and rivers to building homes for Habitat for Humanity. Community service work not only benefits the general citizenry, but also allows offender to make restitution to the community. Often this work instills a sense of pride and connectedness that leads offenders to rehabilitation. All prison medicine is handled as a managed health care program operated by an agreement between TDCJ, the University of Texas Medical Branch, Texas Tech Health Sciences Center and the University of Houston College of Pharmacy.
Medical staff are available at the units for basic medical, dental, and psychiatric care.
No offender will be denied medical attention for lack of money. Male offenders must be clean shaven and must keep their hair trimmed up the back of their necks and head. Hair must be neatly cut around the ears. Female offenders will not have extreme haircuts. Offenders who demonstrate good behavior can earn one 5-minute phone call every 90 days.