I received a phone call from my husband last night around midnight. He is at Mineral Wells. I had visited him yesterday afternoon.

He said that things had exploded there and gone from bad to worse. They had removed the guards from the grounds, there were armed guards/police, etc. in the unit and surrounding the unit -- tear gas, etc. A group of inmates started a fire in one of the dorms, the violence among the inmates was out of control with beatings, stabbings, etc. He said it was chaos. It has been bad there and progressively getting worse every day. Most days my husband tells me that he stays out of the yard because of all the violence and problems at this unit.

He called last night to tell me that he was okay and was staying in his room, but he wanted me to know that he was okay in case I had heard something or read something about what had happened. He didn't want to stay on the phone for the full 15 minutes because of his fear of something happening since there were no guards, etc. First time I've ever heard him really scared.

Before he said goodbye he said that his best guess was that they would go on lockdown indefinitely -- no visits, no phone calls, etc. He said they had told the inmates a couple of weeks ago when they had had problems similar to this that if anything else happened the unit would go on a 30-day lockdown. My husband said that he thinks it's going to be at least a 30 day lockdown if not longer.

I have not tried to call the unit to confirm their status but I wante dto get this information out for those of you whose loved ones are at Mineral Wells. I hope and pray that your loved ones at this unit are safe today.

The last phone call from my son was his "regular" Friday night call on 8/26. I believe the riot started evening of Saturday, 8/27. Last week I received a status letter from my son to let me know he is not hurt physically. Good news! He said things were just miserable (his words). No store privileges since it was somehow damaged in the meelee. My son's sentence is complete and he is to be released 11/15/05, so he is just trying to stay to himself until that time. Not to frighten anyone with family there, but my son said that the authorities there would probably not be satisfied until someone got killed. Remember that when your loved one is miserable and angry, there may be some exaggeration. My son's anger seemed to be directed equally at the authorities and those inmates who fed the riot. Take care.

I have a friend there and he is saying basically the same thing in his letters.....he is says the riot was horrible and the way the punishment for it was dished out was also handled badly and so everything is still in an uproar....he is physically ok but emotionally it is bad....he is also just staying to himself as much as possible to keep from being drug into the mess

Im really worried about my fiance because I haven't heared from him.That's not like him at all. The last letter I got was two days before the riot and he mentioned that he thought something was gonna go down. I've been writing like crazy and I haven't gotten a response. I called and they said they were still on lock but the inmates can still send and receive mail. They wouldn't give me any information on his well being. I know that the last lock down was because a fight broke out between two rival gangs and now Im thinking something happened because he was involved in that one. Some of those inmates don't forgive and forget. They retaliate.

Hope

i was just wondering when they will be able to make calls to us again that is insane they have been on lock all most 3 weeks. He got to make a quick call to his moms house because his cousin is having sergury today and she had called the chaplian for him to do an emergency call, of course all he asked was how was out lil baby doing and that was it (his mom called me on 3way) but i have sent him 3 letters and still HAVE NOT recieved 1 from him!!!

??

I'm wondering, Angee, if you have heard any more from your loved one. My son is also at Mineral Wells and had a chance to call me the night the riot broke out to let me know that they were probably going on a lockdown and he wouldn't be able to call for a while.

I received a letter from him last week, and he says he is fine. He was with a group who took to the basketball court in the back corner--which was recognized by everyone as sort of a safe zone.

I was told that there were about 200 Mexicans and 75 Blacks involved in the rioting. Apparently they were all gang members.

I was real pleased that my son gave me a blow-by-blow description of the riot and am surprised that they let his letter go through.

I'm waiting to hear from him again and hope he is still safe!

Does anyone out there have any recent news?

Shatsy

I have gotten three letters from my husband since the riot. As of Monday (yesterday) they were being allowed to have three hot meals a day, instead of just sandwiches. However, the were being escorted the the SROT (Special Operations Response Team) in single file lines, hands behind back and no talking. They are going to be allowed to go to commissary this week on either Wed or Thurs to purchase stamps and hygiene items. They may get to buy some food items, but it is not a for sure thing yet. The televisions in the dorms were just turned back on Monday -- they've been without television since the riot. Also, they went through all the dorms this past weekend and removed everything that was bolted down -- lockers, desks, chairs, etc. Basically, they were just left with their bunks and bedding and a few personal items that could be stored on their shelf. Oh, and as of yesterday, they were being allowed to shower everyday now, instead of every three days. My husband says that will help with the smell problems! They are still on lockdown -- no phones and no visitation and there is no word as of today as to when they will turn the phones back on and/or have visitation again.

As far as I know everyone is safe for the time being. My husband said that they are shipping the trouble makers out as fast as they can -- but they are filling those spots with new guys just as quickly.

I hope this information helps -- I have been out of town for the last 10 days and yesterday and today were the first real letters with news that I have gotten from my husband.

I am just thankful that he will be home in 17 days -- on Sept. 30. I just pray that he and all of your loved ones stay safe and out of harms way.

Oh, and they are and have been able to send and receive mail. I haven't noticed any difference in how long the turnaround time is for his receiving my letters or me receiving his. Part of the mail problems are probably the fact that they haven't been to commissary in over three weeks and so I'm sure that a lot of the guys have run out of stamps and/or paper. And with they way they are being "watched" I'm sure that it is not as easy to get a hold of stamps or paper. Be patient -- hopefully, they will get to commissary this week, get their stamps and paper and write letters home to let you know that they are okay.

Angee

I'm very happy to report that my son called me today. However, we got cut off twice. He said they are having trouble with the phones. Isn't that typical?

They are off lockdown; he's been to commissary; and he is able to use the phone (at least he will be when they get it fixed). We didn't have a chance to talk about much else because we were cut off. However, I know he's OK and that's what is important.

He said that there is a lot going on there. Apparently the City of Mineral Wells owns the property there, and they are doing a lot of investigating and requesting records. I understand they have also requested records of the parole board. Of course, not any of this is confirmed--may be just rumors. At any rate, it's time someone started investigating that place!

Hope all the rest of you have heard from your loved ones by now. Let's hope that things will get better.

Shatsy

hi yall, just thought id ask if everyone has heared from their loved ones at mineral wells. i still havent heared anything from danny so im stressing. it's been too long now and i have no clue what's going on. i know mail might run a little slower but its been 19 days since my last post so it's been a while now since i've gotten a letter. i spoke to his mother and she said she hadn't heared anything either. im blowing up all the phone numbers i have for any information but still i get nothing. i called the inmate information line and spoke to someone who said he is still in that unit. i even thought he just didn't love me anymore but that doesn't explain why his mom hasn't heared from him either. anyway, i just needed to vent thanks for listening.

oh my god!!! I am so scared my husband is getting transfered next week from the roach unit to mineral wells pre parole release center is this the same place these horrible things have happend. well do they get to wear regular clothes and what is this place really about? I am so scared for him do they transfer inmates while on lock down?

Yes, this is the place where the riot occurred. However, they are not in lockdown any more. My son is calling regularly and seems to be doing well. Apparently there is an investigation going on about the riot, and it is being followed by the Mineral Wells Index (the local newspaper).

Shawna, you asked what the place is really about. It really isn't too bad. They do get to wear regular clothes which can either be bought there or you can send them. I'd suggest you call the unit and get the "rules" about sending clothes. And they do have much more freedom to go outside. I understand the food isn't too bad, and they have a fairly nice commissary. They have air conditioning and are allowed to make phone calls (collect) most of the time.

My son says that if you have to be in any of the units, this is probably one of the better ones.

Shawna
My boyfriend has been at this unit since March 1, 2005 and he has never had any problems there. The lockdown is over and they can recieve visitation again. They have a lot more freedom here than they do at a regular prison. You can send them up to two packages of clothes the first thirty days and then 2 more packages every ninety days. They can't have anything red or blue. I sent my boyfriend a blue checkered shirt and they sent it back to me. I just went to old Navy.com and ordered his clothes online and they mailed it directly to him. Good Luck and I hope everything works out for you.

Anna

my husband has already recieved an FI-2 for june 2007 Have all the inmates who are sent there been reviewed by the parole board and is there any chance of eraly release

well, i finally heared from danny. i was so worried, after i knew he was alright i bitched him out! ; )
i guess he had a good reason but you all know how our imagination runs away with us when we don't hear from our loved ones for a while. anyway, he said that the riot shouldn't affect people's release dates. as a matter of fact some inmates are getting released two weeks, to one month early! CCA is under investigation for keeping inmates longer than one year and some other things. they figured since they shipped out over 200 inmates that they could prove were involved in the riot, they were in the clear but fortunately, the investigation is still going on. some inmates have been there for 3 or 4 years, something the warden had denied several times.

danny is due to be released on thanksgiving so i wouldn't mind having him home 2 to 4 weeks early! i hope he's right!

I don't think that they all have been seen by the parole board--my boyfriend is under review now--PRD is 11-29-05 hopefully he will make it out. Last time I went to see him he said that a couple of guys had been given a DMS.

Anna

My son received a DMS in August. He received his notice less than a week before his presumptive release date, which fouled up a lot of plans at the last minute. An earlier notice would have been appreciated.

I'm so glad the newspaper (and TDCJ) are investigating the situation. According to the Government Code, the parole board is violating rules. If any of you are interested, check out Government Code at http://treypro.com/home1017.htm. There is some very interesting reading in there.

Paragraph (d) 508.151 says "If an inmate transferred to preparole status has
satisfactorily served the inmate's sentence in the halfway house to which the inmate is assigned from the date of transfer to the presumptive parole date, without rescission or postponement of the date, the parole panel shall order the inmate's release on parole and issue an appropriate certificate of release."

That's not happening at Mineral Wells for a large number of inmates.

Have any of you had experience with this?

Shatsy

so what happens if they get a dms do they stay there or do they move him somewhere else? That makes me nervous because we are about six weeks away from his PRd. I called the Gatesville board yesterday and they said that they would not vote on him until after the 29th of this month. I was under the impression that since it was a pre release they should be close to coming home.

Gustavosgirl, that was my impression too--and that's what the Government Code says should happen. But I'm not sure they are following rules. You might want to check the Mineral Wells Index newspaper and look at some of their articles. They have been investigating conditions at the facility since the riot in August. Apparently there is also an investigation going on in TDCJ. We're hoping that some things may change. It seems that they are targeting DWI's--but that's just my opinion.

Actually, my son has decided that if he is not going to be released now, that facility is probably a good place to be--lots of freedom, air conditioning, fair commissary and food, and especially being able to make phone calls (collect) whenever they want.

If you want more information on the newspaper articles, pm me and I'll give you the web sites.

Good luck!

Shatsy

Hey, guys....I apparently put a wrong link for Government Code in post 18. Don't know where that one came from cause I've never used that. At rate the correct link is:

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/gv.toc.htm

Sorry for the goof!

Shatsy

Skip was at this unit from May 2003 - September 2003. He was in for DWI, and I personally interviewed with Juanita Gonzalez on the Gatesville board. She indicated in our phone call that if she had things her way, no DWI offender would ever get paroled or be able to drive again. Our interview was lengthy, and we did get approved, but at the time, I think we were one of the few. Skip said people all around him were getting DMS, and this was 2 years ago.

Sounds like things have gone from bad to worse....with CCA not knowing how to run the facility, to the Gatesville board not wanting to approve anyone for mandatory release. I would hope an investigation would uncover this, but if TDCJ is conducting the investigation, they are NEVER going to admit they have screwed up, capeche?

Hope your loved ones make it home soon...keep us posted on what you hear or what you find out!

kath

I was so glad to read your post, Kath. I've heard the same story about Gonzalez, and I think it's a disgrace that she is on a parole board. Incidentally, there is a part of the statutes that says a board member must recuse herself if there is any sign of impartiality or bias (not the exact wording). There is also one that says that not following the policies of the board is cause for dismissal. I doubt if there is any way that could be proved, though. But it is a shame that so many inmates and families are affected by that person--and I hear that the other member isn't much better.

I guess TDCJ is conducting an investigation. However,. the editor at Mineral Wells Index is also getting into the picture. He has said that he is getting many letters of information and will continue to follow up on the story. Sometimes the media can do what others can't. Let's hope for the best!

I hope everyone who has a loved one at Mineral Wells will respond with any information they have.

Shatsy

On another note, and I'm not sure who is aware of this, Mineral Wells is the old Ft. Wolters Helicopter base. Skip said the place should be condemned for fire safety violations and numerous other stuff. He said they violate fire, health and safety code violations ALL THE TIME.

kath