SAFPF Information (Safe P or Safe Pe) | Criminal Defense Attorney

What is SAFPF? Pronounced Safe P

Basically, it is an in-custody drug rehab program. People may refer to it as Safe P or Safe Pe. This is an acronym for the Texas prison’s Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Facility (SAFPF). It is a program run by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to provide services to people who have a drug problem and need substance abuse treatment. The rehab program lasts six months and takes place in-custody (lockdown rehab program). The six month program is followed by up to three months of aftercare in a residential environment (rehab halfway house) then six to nine months of additional aftercare that takes place in an outpatient setting and finally by up to one year of rehabilitative supervision.

Do I get my back time for SAFPF if I get revoked?

Many people wonder whether they get credit for their time spent in the SAFPF program (aka “backtime”). If a person successfully completes SAFPF and SAFPF aftercare, sometimes referred to as re-entry, that person must receive credit or back-time for all time spent in SAFPF. If someone is unsuccessfully discharged from SAFPF or any of its aftercare programs, it is within the judge’s discretion to award back-time.This is an area where a Fort Worth criminal defense attorney can work to negotiate back-time for someone where the court might not give it otherwise.

When does someone go to SAFPF? Pronounced Safe P

People facing drug charges and family members often ask ‘how do you get SAFPF?’ SAFPF can be ordered by a judge as a condition of community supervision, also known as probation, as an alternative to prison or state jail. SAFPF is only available to people accused of felony or state jail level offenses. Another way someone can receive SAFPF treatment is through parole which is arranged by the Board of Pardons and Parole for someone who has received a prison sentence. A drug and alcohol assessment will often be order to determine whether the person has a substance abuse issue.

What is the purpose of SAFPF?

The SAFPF program is a substance abuse rehabilitation program, sometimes referred to as rehab. The program is usually used for drug possession or delivery charges. It is the goal of SAFPF to provide substance abuse treatment tailored to the individual needs of an inmate in an effort effect positive change. The ultimate purpose of SAFPF is to provide inmates the tools to live a drug and substance free life once SAFPF is completed.

Types of SAFPF and Treatment

Traditional SAFPF is the six month in-custody program discussed above followed by the outpatient aftercare. In addition to that program, Texas Department of Criminal Justice also runs a program called Special Needs SAFPF. Special Needs SAFPF is a nine-month in-custody program for people who have special needs such as mental health or medical diagnosis issues.

TDCJ also runs a program called the Driving While Intoxicated In-Prison Program. This treatment option is designed for those with felony level Driving While Intoxicated offenses and offers group and individual therapy followed by an aftercare period.

Finally, TDCJ provides a program for offenders facing State Jail Felony offenses. The State Jail Substance Abuse Program can meet the needs of offenders at the state jail level. Those eligible for this program are accessed using the Addiction Severity Instrument and then placed in either the 60-90 day program or the 90-120 day program.

SAFPF (Safe P) Locations