A List of Private Prisons In State of Texas
We have gathered the information about the private prisons in Texas State o US. Learn more about the prisons of United States on our Blog
Texas has one of the most numbers of citizens incarcerated, thus a reason why the prisons that come under a state of Texas jurisdiction are having a difficult time dealing with the overcrowdedness. To overcome this issue, the state Government of Texas has contracted private companies that not just manage prisons but also construct them and provide all the rehabilitation programs necessary for convicted inmates so they can once again go back to society.
Private prisons became popular in Texas, especially after the rise in the prison population between 1980 to 1986. Seeing the rise in prison admissions, the Texas Criminal Justice Policy Council issued some amendments that resulted in the increase in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice TDCJ increase in budget and also allowed for the private prisons to expand their operations.
In 1987, the Texas Board of Correction issued its first contract with private vendors that would finance, construct, operate, maintain and manage the correctional facilities' security challenges which largely involve suppressing inmate fights and prison breaks.
How many private prisons are there in the state of Texas?
In 2022, 7 private prisons in Texas are stretched all across the state of Texas. The purpose of these prisons is to ensure the long-term sentence of prisoners is being fulfilled, and they are given proper rehabilitation programs so that they can go back to society. In the state of Texas, going to a private prison is not voluntary, rather it is up to the state court and Texas Department of Criminal Justice TDCJ to admit you there or not.
Getting admitted to a private prison is not much different than a state or federal prison. Some of the private prisons have been considered to have better accommodation and housing facilities than the others. However, it is a must for every inmate to work. The working hours are flexible and private prisons also pay overtime.
What are the issues faced by inmates in Private Prisons in the state of Texas:
While it does suggest that private prisons are the best way to go about it, unfortunately, that is not the case since they have been often criticized for plenty of reasons. Some of these include:
- Not giving a medical discharge to an inmate and making them work despite their medical condition.
- Rehabilitation programs are not up to the mark, and some of them have low standards.
- Inmates are not given proper attention, and the prison’s discipline is often considered to lack control over inmates that hold power.
- Guards are often considered to misuse their power and reports to wardens go nowhere so that the issue can be fixed.
- Cells are often too tight and overcrowded so that as many inmates can be accommodated.
- Oftentimes private prisons lack proper medical care.
List of private prisons in the state of Texas:
In 2022, there are 7 different private prisons in the state of Texas. Only 1 private prison is for females, whereas, the remaining 6 are for male inmates. TDCJ keeps a close eye on Private Prisons but by rule, they are quite independent and have their own rules and regulations that often change depending upon which company controls them.
The following are the private prisons:
- Bridgeport Unit:
The prison is located at 4000 North 10th street Bridgeport, Texas. The private prison is operated by Management and Training Corporation MTC. The facility was opened in August 1989 and has a maximum capacity of 519 male inmates. Earlier, till 2010, the prison was controlled by GEO Group but later was bought by MTC.
The prison has a security class of G1 and G2 meaning it is a low-level security prison for inmates who have not committed any major offenses.
- Cleveland Unit:
Oliver J. Bell Unit which is also known as Cleveland Unit is privately operated and owned by Management and Training Corporation. The prison has an area of 40 acres and its former operator was GEO Group. The prison is located at 901 E 5th Street Cleveland, Texas. The current capacity of the Cleveland Unit is 520, and there are expansion plans. Unlike other private prisons, the Cleveland unit accepts prisoners who are within three years of their parole.
The prison has a security class of G1 and G2 meaning it is a low-level security prison for inmates who have not committed any major offenses.
- Diboll Unit:
The Diboll Unit which is often known as Diboll Correctional Center is a private prison for men. It is located at 1604 South 1st street. The prison is operated by Management and Training Corporation. It was opened in June 1995, and houses over 518 prisoners. The private prison is located adjacent to Rufus H. Duncan Geriatric Facility operated by TDCJ - this is by design as it's easier for inmates to move there given if Diboll Unit accepts them or not.
The prison has a security class of G1, G2 and G3 meaning it is a low level to minimum level security prison for inmates who have not committed any major offenses.
- Estes Unit:
Previously known as Venus Unit, is located at 1100 Highway 1807 Venus Texas. It is owned by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and awarded its operational contract to Management and Training Corporation. Unlike other private prisons, Estes Unit has a capacity of 1,040 and plans for expansion.
It was opened in 1989 and ever since then, the facility is famous for providing a wide range of programmatic opportunities so that the offenders are better prepared for their re-entry into society. Additionally, Estes Unit also has the permission to assist local communities by providing offender crews to the city and other state work projects. The facility is allowed to donate 1200 hours of inmate community service each month.
It also has a partnership with a local animal shelter to allow the inmates a rare opportunity to interact and participate in the rehabilitation of abused and neglected dogs.
- Kyle Unit:
Managed and operated by Management and Training Corporation MTC. The Kyle Unit or Kyle Correctional Center is a private state prison for male offenders. It is located at 23001 I-35 Kyle, Texas. The facility was opened in 1989 and has an innate capacity of 520. Prisoners are exposed to special therapeutic and substance abuse programs and are taught different skills that they can use to earn money in prison.
The prison has a security class of G1 and G2 meaning it is a low-level security prison for inmates who have not committed any major offenses.
- Coleman Unit:
Gregory S. Coleman Unit, which is also known as Lockhart Unit is a private prison for women that is located on 1400 E Martin Luther King Jr. Industrial Boulevard, Lockhart, Texas. Since 2015, it has been operated by Management and Training Corporation MTC. The private prison can house over 1000 prisoners and was opened in 1993. The prison was renamed Gregory S. Coleman Unit simply to honor a former member of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice.
The prison has a security class of G1 and G2 meaning it is a low-level security prison for inmates who have not committed any major offenses.
- Billy Moore Unit:
Also known as Billy Moore Correctional Center is a private state prison for men located at 8500 FM, 3053 North Overton, Texas. The prison is operated by Management and Training Corporation. The facility was opened in 1995 and houses 513 inmates.
The prison has a security class of G1 and G2 meaning it is a low-level security prison for inmates who have not committed any major offenses.
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- 7 Worst Prisons In the State of Ohio
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