Texas SAFPF (Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Facility)
Co-Founding Partners
Texas Bar verified. Reggie London (Texas Bar No. 24043514) and Njeri London (Texas Bar No. 24043266) are the co-founding partners of L and L Law Group, PLLC — based at 5899 Preston Rd, Suite 101 in Frisco, Texas (Collin County), with many 5-star Google reviews, and available 24/7 for criminal defense consultations.
Table of Contents
What SAFPF is
SAFPF is operated by Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) under Government Code §493.009. Key features:
- Correctional facility. Secure residential placement; not a typical rehab
- 6-9 month duration. Standard SAFPF is 9 months; modified SAFPF (CSCD-administered) is 6 months
- Therapeutic community model. Structured peer support, structured days, treatment integration
- Substance use disorder focus. Intensive substance abuse treatment, cognitive-behavioral therapy, life skills, family programs
- Progression-based. Phases with increasing autonomy
- Continuing care. Aftercare component following residential phase
- Located across Texas. Multiple SAFPF facilities including Henley Unit (Dayton), Kyle SAFPF (Kyle), other locations
Eligibility and admission
SAFPF placement typically occurs:
- As condition of community supervision. Felony probationers ordered to complete SAFPF as supervision condition
- As alternative to revocation. Failing probationers placed in SAFPF instead of returning to prison
- As condition of deferred adjudication. Some defendants receive SAFPF as initial sentencing alternative
- Through Court-Ordered Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities (CSAT) — separate placement program with similar features
Eligibility criteria:
- Felony conviction or pending felony charge
- Documented substance use disorder
- Suitable for residential treatment
- Not on parole (different framework)
- No serious mental illness requiring different placement
- No specific exclusionary offenses (some violent and sex offenses excluded)
What to expect during SAFPF
SAFPF structure:
- Phase I (Orientation, 30 days). Intake assessment, program rules, initial treatment
- Phase II (Primary Treatment, 3-5 months). Core therapeutic community programming, group therapy, individual counseling
- Phase III (Reentry Preparation, 2-3 months). Employment readiness, housing planning, family reintegration, continuing care planning
- Aftercare phase (post-discharge). Outpatient continuing care, support group attendance, ongoing probation supervision
Daily schedule includes:
- Structured wake/sleep times
- Daily group therapy
- Individual counseling sessions
- Educational programming
- Therapeutic community meetings (peer accountability)
- Work assignments (facility maintenance, kitchen, etc.)
- Visitation rules and family programming
SAFPF outcomes and continuing care
Research on SAFPF outcomes:
- Lower recidivism rates than standard prison incarceration for similar offenders
- Particularly effective when paired with strong aftercare and family integration
- Substance abuse outcomes vary based on treatment quality and individual engagement
After SAFPF residential phase:
- Continuing care placement. Outpatient or transitional treatment
- Active probation supervision. Standard probation conditions continue
- Required support group attendance. AA/NA or similar typically required
- Drug testing throughout probation. Random testing continues
- Employment requirements. Job search and employment maintenance
- Housing stability. Approved residence required
Failure during SAFPF (rule violations, positive tests, treatment refusal) typically results in TDCJ commitment to standard prison facility.
Texas Marijuana Charges by Weight
| Weight | Offense | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Under 2 oz | Class B misdemeanor | Up to 180 days + $2,000 |
| 2-4 oz | Class A misdemeanor | Up to 1 year + $4,000 |
| 4 oz - 5 lb | State jail felony | 180 days-2 years + $10K |
| 5-50 lb | 3rd degree felony | 2-10 years + $10K |
| 50-2,000 lb | 2nd degree felony | 2-20 years + $10K |
| 2,000+ lb | Enhanced 1st degree | 5-99 years/life + $50K |
| Hemp products with delta-9 THC ≤ 0.3% are legal under HB 1325 (2019) | ||
Have a Texas legal question?
Call L and L Law Group for a free, confidential consultation. We handle criminal defense across Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant counties.
Call (972) 370-5060In our practice defending Texas criminal cases, we have represented clients in Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant County criminal courts on the full Texas Penal Code and Health & Safety Code spectrum. Reggie's prosecutor background in Dallas County means we know the State's evidentiary playbook; Njeri's trial-trained motion practice anchors the suppression-driven defense work.
Key Legal Terms
- Penalty Group
- Texas Health & Safety Code § 481.102-481.105 classification of controlled substances by abuse potential and accepted medical use. Determines weight tiers and punishment ranges.
- Article 38.23
- Texas Code of Criminal Procedure exclusionary rule. Evidence obtained in violation of any federal or Texas constitutional or statutory provision is inadmissible against the accused.
- Aggregation
- Texas H&S § 481.002(5) rule that the total weight of any controlled substance, including adulterants and dilutants, counts toward the offense weight tier.
- 3g Offense
- CCP Article 42A.054 list of offenses ineligible for judicial probation and requiring 50% sentence served before parole eligibility (formerly Article 42.12 § 3g).
- Pretrial Diversion
- Pre-charge alternative under CCP Article 32.02 in which the prosecution agrees to dismiss charges upon successful completion of conditions (counseling, community service, restitution).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Texas SAFPF?
Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Facility — TDCJ-operated residential treatment program (6-9 months) used as alternative to or supplement to prison sentence for felony probationers with substance use disorders.
How long is SAFPF in Texas?
Standard SAFPF is 9 months; modified SAFPF is 6 months. Plus aftercare phase post-discharge with continued probation supervision.
Can I avoid prison through SAFPF in Texas?
For some felony probationers, yes — SAFPF placement serves as alternative to standard incarceration. Eligibility requires documented substance use disorder and suitability for residential treatment.
Is SAFPF the same as rehab?
No — SAFPF is a correctional facility, not a typical rehab program. It combines substance use disorder treatment with secure residential placement. Better treatment than standard prison; more restrictive than community-based rehab.
What happens if I fail SAFPF in Texas?
Typically TDCJ commitment to standard prison facility. Failure can include rule violations, positive drug tests, treatment refusal, or threatening behavior. Successful re-entry to SAFPF is sometimes possible.
