FI-18R — what it actually means
Official definition
Transfer the offender to the TDCJ Sex Offender Treatment Program (SOTP-18), with release to parole only after program completion and no earlier than 18 months from the specified date.
In plain English
Parole was APPROVED, but SOTP-18 must be completed first. Release cannot happen before 18 months from the date named in the vote and may happen later.
What happens next
1. Approval is recorded with a specified month and year. 2. Transfer to SOTP-18 occurs; timing varies. 3. The person completes SOTP-18; duration varies. 4. Release may occur only after completion and at least 18 months from the specified date; further timing varies.
What you can do now
- Record the specified month and year shown with the vote.
- Ask the person to share official SOTP-18 placement updates.
- Keep family contact and release-address information current.
- Prepare long-term reentry support without treating 18 months as guaranteed.
Families often get this wrong
Eighteen months is a minimum from the specified date, not a promised release date, and SOTP-18 completion is also required.
Source: official BPP page
The full picture, in one guide
Every vote code, the complete review timeline, support-letter rules, visitation, money and phone how-tos — written for families, in plain English.