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Ask the Right Office: Texas

Pick a problem to see the office, the official rule, the deadlines and who must file. Then fill in a plain-English letter in your browser, print or save it as a PDF, and add a follow-up date to your calendar.

What this page can and can't tell you

Can: Which office to write to and how to put together a clear letter.

Can't: It can't give an official release date, say whether a specific person qualifies, or give legal advice. Only the DOC, the board or a court decides.

A letter doesn't replace the required official grievance form or procedure, and those have deadlines. If you're worried about retaliation, keep copies and dates of everything you send, and tell the person's attorney or a legal aid office if anything changes afterward.

Free legal help: Legal Services Corporation: find legal aid (civil matters). For criminal cases, ask the public defender's office that handled the case.






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Texas at a glance

ProblemOfficeDeadline to fileResponse deadline
Time calculation reviewUnit Grievance Investigator (Step 1, form I-127)Within 15 calendar days of the incident.Step 1: 40 days for most issues (one 40-day extension allowed); 30 days for disciplinary appeals.
Credit (good time) disputeUnit Grievance Investigator (Step 1, form I-127)Within 15 calendar days of the incident.Step 1: 40 days for most issues (one 40-day extension allowed); 30 days for disciplinary appeals.
Medical request or complaintUnit Grievance Investigator (Step 1, form I-127)Within 15 calendar days of the incident.Step 1: 45 days for medical issues (one 45-day extension allowed).
Visit or mail denial appealUnit Grievance Investigator (Step 1, form I-127)Within 15 calendar days of the incident.Step 1: 40 days for most issues (one 40-day extension allowed); 30 days for disciplinary appeals.
Records requestThe records custodian at the agency that keeps the recordNo filing deadline in the statute.Promptly. If records can't be produced within 10 business days, the officer must certify that in writing and set a date.
Parole fileNot publishedNot publishedNot published
Disability (ADA) accommodationUnit Grievance Investigator (Step 1, form I-127)Within 15 calendar days of the incident.Step 1: 40 days for most issues (one 40-day extension allowed); 30 days for disciplinary appeals.
Transfer or classificationUnit Grievance Investigator (Step 1, form I-127)Within 15 calendar days of the incident.Step 1: 40 days for most issues (one 40-day extension allowed); 30 days for disciplinary appeals.

Grievance rule: TDCJ Offender Grievance Program pamphlet (opens in new tab). Records: Tex. Gov't Code § 552.221 (Public Information Act) (opens in new tab). Who files a grievance: The incarcerated person.

Not legal advice. Rules change and facilities may add local steps; the official text controls. Missing a deadline can end a claim. Find free legal aid (LSC) (opens in new tab). Last checked .

Other states · Texas credit rules · Check a release calculation · Release countdown · What do I do now?

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