Hope Welcome Center

05/25/2026

TDCJ Vending Machine Issues

If you have issues with the vending machines while at visitation, such as taking your money, charging you but not dispensing product and you are unable to reach the vending machine provider, this link from the TDCJ website gives you information on how to escalate the matter.

This does not pertain to “holds” on your credit card/debit card. When you use a credit card or debit card on the machines, the system the vending machine vendors use will place a temporary hold on your credit card or debit card. That should drop off after a short period of time. If it does not, contact your financial institution to confirm if it is a HOLD or CHARGE. Then go from there.

I recommend using the Walmart money card as it will not do the hold and will deduct as you make a purchase.

Home page for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

05/20/2026

Celebrate those parole wins, regardless of which FI your loved one gets.

Parole is a privilege not a right. This is how every state DOC& TDCJ view parole. It has to be earned. And not everyone earns that privilege.

Checking that parole status and seeing APPROVED is a time to celebrate the accomplishments your loved one made.

Prison has many temptations, many opportunities for things to go wrong and is not a desirable place to be. Having a loved one that stays focused, minimal cases, and who dedicates his/her time to their rehabilitative efforts is something worth celebrating whether they are approved or denied for parole. The dedication is real and the accomplishments should not go without acknowledgement.

We all want an FI-1 because it means home ASAP. But sometimes we get the delays with required programs. I think of delays as a message from God. He is delaying you for a reason. We may never know that reason. But the reason is there. It could be to prevent something tragic from happening or a million other things. I look at it as less time “on paper”

As someone near and dear to me made parole here recently we were taken aback by the program requirement. It was an unforeseen delay. But regardless they are on their way home. And it is a reason to celebrate. What I’ve learned from my loved one is that the classes taken on the tablet through the ITP program, the Edovo classes and classes at the unit level they all play a pivotal role in retraining their brain. These classes on the tablet were a key component in turning a no into a yes. That being said, we know this short program we have to face is a bump in the road and the program will only help redirect and prepare for the family reunification.

I say this with my whole chest, celebrate the win. Trust the process. Stay grounded in your faith, and have patience. Patience is key to reunification. ❤️

05/19/2026

Clements Unit - Suspension & Visitation

If your loved one is housed in 7 India 2 (7 i 2) they are on suspension and their suspension will not lift before visitation this weekend.

If you are booked yo stay with us, please give a call to cancel or reschedule your stay. This will enable us to move someone on the reservation list into a room for the weekend.

Thank you for your cooperation and consideration of others.

05/16/2026

THE TDCJ BOOK PORTAL - ETA June 2026

We will soon be required to log the books we purchase for our loved ones. There will be a grace period (to be determined) during the rollout.

After the portal is rolled out we MUST log the books we order.

05/16/2026

From the parole panel at the summit!

PAROLE PACKETS

The TXBPP prefers parole packets created from the heart. They do not like manufactured packets and can tell by the templates and themes used.

Even if you have an attorney , they prefer ones created by the incarcerated or their family.

ONLY ATTORNEYS should be charging for parole packets as it’s a form of representation !

05/15/2026

“What does the Hope Welcome Center do?”

This is a common question we get asked and I’d love to answer it.

First and foremost we continue to carry out the mission and vision of Our founder Rev. Scarborough. That is to provide a safe place and a warm meal for families visiting their incarcerated loved ones.

But it is so much deeper than that.

We provide HOPE to those on the most difficult path of their lives. When they have none we fill their glass with hope and love.

We are their shoulder to cry on, their guiding light, their compass and their voice of reason.

A “safe place” to stay means so many things. Families of the incarcerated carry so much shame and guilt for actions they did not do. We provide a place free of judgment, free of guilt, free of shame and protect our families of any negativity that comes their way.

We listen and we learn and we also teach.

Navigating incarceration comes with many obstacles and bumps in the road. By networking and building relationships with the units we serve and by attending all TDCJ family functions, such as the TDCJ SUMMIT, we are able to provide our families with wealth of information that helps them on their journey.

We have built a community with our guests. They know they are in safe hands with us.

Our goal is going into 2027 is to have more resources for those we serve both inside the prison walls and outside those walls.

It is hard to put it all into words. We are reinventing ourselves with each new situation that arises.

Supporting and guiding the families we serve is possible because of those who support the Hope Welcome Center. We, along with our families are eternally grateful for the support we receive.

05/14/2026

Hope Welcome Center serves those incarcerated (and their families) at the Baten, Clements, Dalhart, Jordan and Tulia units.

We have a newsletter ready to send to those we serve. If your loved one is at one of these units, please sign them up for our newsletter today!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdBQCpSgMjyiHePO6UcmkMO-KfdTT-y2OFn_5oSg2yQpA_CeQ/viewform?usp=header

Our newsletter will mail out tomorrow!

Hope Welcome Center will be sending quarterly newsletters to those who are incarcerated. This form is your registration to receive the newsletter..

05/13/2026

NEWSLETTER REGISTRATION

Hope Welcome Center will be sending out a newsletter to those we serve who are incarcerated.

We do have quite a few on our list already. I want to ensure everyone receives a newsletter from us that would like one.

The form to register is here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdBQCpSgMjyiHePO6UcmkMO-KfdTT-y2OFn_5oSg2yQpA_CeQ/viewform?usp=publish-editor

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5–6

Hope Welcome Center will be sending quarterly newsletters to those who are incarcerated. This form is your registration to receive the newsletter..

05/12/2026

The Hope Welcome Center will
Be in attendance! The TDCJ summit provides us with a wealth of information and resources to assist families with! We will provide updates throughout the day on Saturday!

For those traveling to Dallas for the event may you have a safe trip!

See you there!

TDCJ Summit is coming up on May 16 at the Oak Cliff Community Center in Dallas! 📢🏙️

This event brings TDCJ staff and families together to share resources that support incarcerated loved ones. Attendees will hear updates on current initiatives, learn about available services and connect directly with agency staff. Anyone who wants a better understanding of the correctional system is encouraged to join.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in a month! 📅

05/11/2026

The TDCJ has a Visitation Survey, which will help improve the visitation experience.

We have verified with Britteny from Office of Family Services that this is a TDCJ survey and it is actively being used to help correct any notated issues.

We encourage ALL Families to complete the survey whether you had issues or a great visit. It helps the TDCJ see know what’s working and what’s not working.

It takes less than 5 minutes to complete!!

Link to the survey:

05/07/2026

We are over with gratitude, thanks and love from the community.

It truly takes a village and you all are showing up and becoming the strength of our foundation.

Even the smallest of help goes a long way.

These donations will enable to do more for our families and to provide for those who are in need.

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you so much!

Tricia & Marcos

Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. — Psalm 107:21