Texas Inmate Families Association

Twenty years ago TIFA was founded as a result of a conversation between two brothers- one in the free world and the other in prison. Stuart and Sheldon DeLuca concluded that the one substantial part of the “criminal justice system” that had no representation, either within the system itself or in the larger political system, was the families of offenders. They decided to see if they could remedy the lack of representation by establishing the Texas Inmate Families Association, better known as TIFA. Now, twenty years later in 2016, TIFA is celebrating our 20th anniversary.

As families with incarcerated loved ones, we envision a system that humanely treats them when they are separated from us, and helps them prepare for coming home to us.

Over 500 men and women impacted by the criminal justice system marched at the State Capitol in Austin, Texas to demand change. Josh Gravens from Texas Cure, summed it up with the inspirational words, "We the formerly incarcerated and our families will stand shoulder to shoulder, there will be no more looking to others to fight for us, we will fight for change ourselves!"

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The mission of the Texas Inmate Families Association is to break the cycle of incarceration in Texas by strengthening families through organizing, support, education, and advocacy.

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