Hey, everyone.
My brother in law is in a max security up in the NE and we've been told that due to his mother's health issues we can transfer him closer. I went to the TDCJ site and can't figure out which units are max security. Is there any one that we should avoid or one we should request? Are the private prisons better? I need some help badly and don't know where else to turn - thanks.

You don't say where you are, so it makes it sort of hard to say which ones would be closer. As for which ones, if he is Maximum Security, that would probably mean he is a G5, and this is the web site for all the TDCJ units:

http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/unitdirectory/all.htm

You can click on each individual unit and if it says it has Max security then he could be transferred there.

This url talks about transfers for family medical reasons:

http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/publications/classification/OffendOrientHbkNov04.pdf

It is the last paragraph before Section D. You would have to call and find out the exact way to apply and it will have to have medical documentation from your mother's physicians.

I think with Maximum Security it won't make a differance if it is TDCJ or a private prison.

I wish you well and will keep you family in my prayers.

You won't be allowed to pick the unit he is moved to. A hardship transfer is no further than 200 miles from home. I am doing the same with my son. You can put in the request and it take 4 to 8 weeks to get a response back. That is when you will find out if it was approved or not. You can call Huntsville and they will tell you what to do and send them. 1-800-535-0283

I worked in the High Security department at the Clements Unit in Amarillo, if it is close to you and they transfer him there, it is not too bad. If he keeps out of trouble and doesn't catch any cases the pods for the level 1 imates are usually quiet and little to no trouble. My husband was there and never had any problems, of course he did mind his own business, but thats a whole other can of worms.

DagosBrighteyes