Every year, thousands of incarcerated men and women in Texas—along with their families—are left heartbroken and confused when parole is denied, not based on behavior, rehabilitation, or readiness, but on vague and outdated justifications like “2D – Nature of the Offense” and “7D – Insufficient Time Served.” These reasons completely disregard personal growth, transformation, and the work individuals have done to change their lives. Families are forced to wait in anguish while their loved ones, many of whom have spent decades working toward change, remain behind bars simply because of the offense they were already sentenced for or an undefined sense of "enough time."

What’s at stake is a chance to finally bring fairness and accountability to the Texas parole system. If the current process continues, people will keep being denied freedom—not because they pose a threat to society, but because of inflexible, arbitrary standards. This not only hurts rehabilitated individuals, but it places an emotional and financial strain on families and undermines the very purpose of parole: to reward rehabilitation and support safe reentry into society.

Now is the time to act because people are ready. Communities are waking up. Families, faith leaders, advocates, and even incarcerated individuals are organizing around a vision of merit-based parole process—where people are given a true second chance based on who they are today, not who they were. Removing 2D and 7D is the first crack in the wall of injustice, and with your signature, we can help change lives, restore families, and move one step closer to justice in Texas.