Correctional Institutions Division

Security Threat Group Management Office

To ensure that the safety of staff and offenders is met by the monitoring, identifying and housing of STG members in a safe and secure fashion. To ensure that information obtained regarding any group deemed a threat to the safety of Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) staff, offenders, or the public is evaluated and disseminated in a timely and effective manner.

That the Security Threat Group Management Office (STGMO) be recognized by criminal justice departments, law enforcement agencies and the community as a professional, efficient and informative department of the TDCJ.

Gang Renouncement and Disassociation (GRAD) Process

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has initiated a process, which will provide a method for offenders to renounce their membership with a known Security Threat Group (STG). This procedure is called the Gang Renouncement and Disassociation Process or GRAD. Those offenders willing to renounce their gang affiliation will be required to participate in the process and associated activities until successful completion is attained. This process is nine (9) months in duration.

After successful completion of this process, the offender will be released into general population and placed on a unit recommended by the State Classification Committee. If the offender does not successfully complete the GRAD process or is found to be involved in STG activities after release to general population, the offender will be returned to Administrative Segregation and will not be allowed to participate in the GRAD Process again. The offender must express, in writing, a desire to renounce his membership in the STG and it MUST be to the Unit Security Threat Gang Officer. The Security Threat Group Management Office (STGMO) will make the final decision on any matters pertaining to the GRAD process. In order to participate, an offender must meet the following basic criteria:

No offender assaults for a period of at least two (2) years.
No staff assaults for a period of two (2) years.
No major disciplinary cases of any kind for at least one (1) year.
No extortion cases for a period of at least two (2) years.
No weapon possession cases for a period of at least two (2) years.
No aggressive sexual assault misconduct cases for at least two (2) years.
Must be level one status for a minimum of one (1) year.
Must have renounced his membership in a Security Threat Group.
Documentation evidencing disassociation (Attachment "B") must be completed at the Unit and Regional levels.
Must sign a release form requesting participation.
Must sign the GRAD Renouncement Form.
Must not have been involved in any Security Threat Group act for a minimum of two (2) years.
No security precaution designator of: (ES) Escape, (SA) Staff Assault, or (HS) Hostage Situation.

GRAD Process is nine (9) months in length:

Phase I (2 months)

Curriculum: Substance abuse classes (35 lessons @ 2-1/2 hours - minimum of 30 lessons), Alcoholics Anonymous, Chaplaincy videos.

Phase II (4 months)

Curriculum: Cognitive intervention (180 mandatory), anger management/substance abuse (17 weeks - 6 hours per week - minimum of 68 hours), criminal addictive behavior.

Phase III (3 months)

Curriculum: 1/2-day work schedule, laundry, fields, food service, 1/2-day unit programs.

Each group/class consists of 16 offenders who represent a mixture of security threat groups (STG) in order to maintain a balance of ethnicity, length of sentence, etc., in the process; 2 groups/classes assigned each month.

Frequently Asked Questions (en Español)

[Oficina Gerencial de Groupos Que Amenazan la Seguridad (GRAD)]