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1. What does CSCD Actually Do?

We provide support services to the courts by attending court proceedings and preparing paperwork for offenders placed under supervision, as well as preparing pre-sentence reports, or social histories, on most felony offenders who go through the court system, and most legal documents for the modification and revocation of probationers. We testify in court, assist victims with questions and in collecting restitution, and assist the community by collecting fines, court costs, appointed attorney's fees, Crime Stoppers' fees, and similar assessments. The problem areas that led to an offender's criminal behavior are assessed by our officers, and a plan is put into place to address those problem areas, while holding the offender accountable for behavior, in an effort to turn offenders into pro-social citizens. Finally, we quickly report to the courts when offenders are not complying with their conditions so that the judges can take appropriate action to remove these offenders from the community. Substance abuse counseling services, domestic violence counseling, psychological assessments, and employment services are provided on-site, while psychological and psychiatric services are made available through local service providers. We regularly drug test offenders, offer electronic monitoring, a physician-supervised medical regimen for reducing alcohol consumption, and conduct regular field visits to monitor offenders in the community. We also rely heavily on local agencies, such as the Brazos Valley Council on Alcohol and Substance Abuse, Twin City Mission, Project Unity, Brazos Food Bank, Texas A&M University, and the school districts for basic needs and services for our offenders.

2. Who Does CSCD Supervise?

The numbers and percentages listed here are current as of August 2007, the end of our last Fiscal Year. At that time, 4,110 offenders were under supervision through the Brazos County Community Supervision and Corrections Department. Many of these offenders have multiple cases, which are not included in this number - this is the actual number of offenders under probation supervision. Of these offenders, 2,256 are direct supervision cases, which means these offenders live and/or work in Brazos County and are supervised by officers locally. That number includes 1,137 felony offenders and 1,119 misdemeanor offenders. The remaining 1,854 offenders live and work and are supervised in other counties or states, are absconders, are in prison for other offenses, or are offenders whose supervision has expired and who are awaiting hearings to revoke their probation. Since the offenders are placed under supervision by local judges, these out-of-town cases must still be monitored by our department and the judges notified of violations of the conditions of supervision. Each month, between 150 and 200 new offenders are placed under supervision, and approximately that number terminate from supervision.

3. How Do I Make a Payment?

Payments are to be made per the court order. Delinquencies are addressed through administrative or court hearings, and failure to pay court ordered obligations can result in the revocation of community supervision.

Payments can be made in person at 202 East 27th Street, Suite 200, Bryan, Texas 77803, or by mail at BCCSCD, P.O. Box 2015, Bryan, Texas 77806-2015.

No personal checks are accepted, and will be returned if an attempt is made to pay by personal check. Cash, cashier's checks, and money orders are accepted when payments are made in person. Payments made through the mail should only contain cashier's checks or money orders, as it is not a good idea to send cash through the mail.

Always print your name and address clearly on the envelope and any cashier's checks or money orders sent through the mail. If you know your cause number, print that on the instrument, as well.

If making a payment for someone else, clearly print their name on the cashier's check or money order, and put a note inside the envelope, explaining that you are making the payment for someone else, and where the receipt needs to be sent.

When payments are made by mail, the receipt will be available at the next office visit, or will be mailed if you live out of town. A temporary receipt will be given for payments made at the reception window after the bookkeeping office has closed. Keep that temporary receipt until the permanent receipt is given to you, and compare the amounts to ensure that the payment was posted correctly.

Always obtain a receipt, check all receipts to ensure that the payment was correctly posted to you, and keep all permanent receipts until your case has expired and you are sure that all monies paid have been credited to your account.

Any discrepancies should be brought to the attention of a bookkeeper and/or your officer immediately. If you believe an error has occurred and you are not satisfied that your officer and the bookkeeping office have resolved the problem, call the department and ask to make an appointment with the Fiscal Officer, or speak with the Fiscal Officer by phone. Be prepared to show all receipts to the Fiscal Officer, or mail copies of all receipts and explain the discrepancy so the issue can be researched fully.

Making payments is an important part of community supervision, and must be done regularly. Questions about making payments should be addressed to a bookkeeper or the community supervision officer, but problems in making the payments should always be addressed with the supervision officer.