Let's help our new members and talk about the units our loved ones are at:

[jftazzy102]

I thought since we have more new members joining the Texas forum; the ones of us that have been here for a little bit, we can tell them a little bit of information on the units our loved ones are in. I think this would really help them with some of the questions that they may have.

My loved one is in the Middleton Unit in Abilene:

Middleton Unit is a transfer facility. The Warden's name is Warden Franklin. The Chaplin is Chaplin Mitchell. The phone number to the unit is: 325-548-9075

The address is: John Middleton Unit 13055 FM 3522 Abliene, TX 79601

If you ever need to get emergency info to your loved one it is always best to call the Chaplin. Chaplin Mitchell is very good about getting any information to your loved one.

Warden Franklin is very good about giving 4 hours special visit to those who qualify for the TDCJ mileage limit. He will give you 4 hours visits on Saturday and Sunday.

Always take 20.00 in quarters when you go visit in a clear bag. Take only your drivers license and car key.

They take calls on Fridays from 9-4 on visits or if you want to get any information on your loved ones.

The CO's that I have come in contact with either on phone or in person have always been very helpful when I have needed the help.

At a transfer facility they can stay there up to two years, most of them that have longer time get sent out to their perament unit anywhere from 3-6 months from what I have seen.

When your loved one first gets to this unit they will go through testing that will last up to two weeks. After that visits will be allowed.
The testing is for: Complete physical, dental exam, IQ testing, to see what the parole board is going to require them to do, to see what classes they will need and to put them in for there job class that they will be working.
If anyone else can add anything to this please do.

Love Jeanne

[jat76009]

SANDERS ESTES UNIT - VENUS, TEXAS

Sanders Estes Unit is a private run pre-release unit located at 1100 Hwy 1807, Venus, TX 76084.

Their phone number is 972-366-3334.

The person I have had the most contact with is CHRISTY ADAMS, who is the TDCJ LIAISON OFFICER/REPRESENTATIVE for the unit. She is VERY helpful and very friendly and nice to talk with.

Although Estes Unit is a pre-release unit, inmates still transfer to the Walls Unit for their actual release. I'm not sure how long Estes Unit can/will keep inmates but know that one of the cellies my son has had stayed at Estes for six years before being released.

The major advantage of a private run unit is that it is airconditioned. It definitely makes things more comfortable for the inmates during the summer months.

Private run units are supposed to be run following the same guidelines that the TDCJ Units follow but that may not always be the case. Sometimes they tend to bend rules - more often than not to their own advantage. They are making money off the inmates they house for sure but at the same time they can be a bit pickier about who they choose to allow to "live" there. In other words - they normally won't put up with trouble makers.

Visitation at Estes Unit is pretty relaxed although they do enforce the dress code for visitors and don't hesitate to turn people away if they show up in sandals and/or shorts. You can take $20 in coin in a clear bag - doesn't have to be all quarters. Visits last 2 hours unless special arrangements are made ahead of time for longer visits for people who qualify under the TDCJ mileage guidelines. There are normally 2 - 3 guards in the visitation area during visits but they sit at a table at the front of the room and don't bother the people during visits. Non-contact visits are NOT set up very good at all. The visitor is in the same big room with all of the contact visits going on around them and the inmate is behind a glass window. There are 4 non-contact visit windows and only one has the phone receiver.

They offer vocational training for electricians and for chefs - those are the only two I am aware of. They also have the GED classes.

If anyone can think of more information to add to this, please do so!

[key jo]

My husband is at Dawson State Jail in Dallas, TX. It is a privately owned (CCA) State Jail facility that houses both State Jail and TDCJ inmates. (State jail wears white, TDCJ wears orange)

Address: P.O. Box 650051, Dallas, TX 75265. It's on Commerce St. (sorry can't remember the exact address)

You can take in $20 in coins in a plastic clear bag. Only one clear bag allowed. They try to follow TDCJ policy but as stated before the privately owned places tend to be a little lenient. Opened toes shoes are allowed. Very rarely are there non-contact visits but we aren't sure what will happen this month on that. (see all previous posts on Dawson)

There is air conditioning and this year, I hope it works all summer. The Unit just received a 98.3% rating for the A.C.A. So they should be an accredited unit soon. Few classes but there are some religious classes available.

That is the basics. I'm sure some of the others can add to this.
Two of us go on a weekly basis and will gladly answer any and all questions about Dawson.

[londonlimey]

I'm interested to know the in's and out's of Coffield...anyone have any information please?

[Willsgirl]

Sorry

[Willsgirl]

Address: Route 1 Box 150, Tennessee Colony, Texas 75884 / (903) 928-2211

5 miles southwest of Tennessee Colony on FM 2054 in Anderson County
Offender Population/Gender: 4,095 / Male
Approximate Acreage: 20,518 (Co-located with Gurney, Michael and Powledge)

Educational Programs: Literacy, Special Education, CHANGES/Pre-Release, English as a Second Language, Cognitive Intervention, Project RIO, Career and Technology Programs: **Business Computer Information Systems II, **Construction Carpentry, **Automotive Specialization (Engine), **Interior Trim and Cabinet Making (** provided as non-credit courses by a college)
Trinity Valley Community College Academic, Trinity Valley Community College Vocational: Data Processing, Drafting, Horticulture, Welding

Additional Programs: Spiritual Growth Programs, Career Day, Victim Services Mediation, Crime Stoppers


They have a Trusty Camp as well as a Boot Camp. Both are dorm like housing except the Boot Camp has a fence around it.

Visitation: For the most part the guards are fairly nice, once in awhile you get one this is unruly, there are quite a few very young looking guards out there so they tend to be unperfessional at times. You are allowed the usual 20 in coins. Haven't seen or heard of any porblems with open toe shoes. As long as your not showing to much then they dont bother you. Your car is checked at the highway gate then you follow the sign to the unit, once there you check in at the gate house right accross from the tower out front, then you go thru the sallyport to the main building if you are visiting in the building: for non-contact visits you have to wait for them to take you back and assign you a seat for contact visits they will give you the slip and you walk around to the other side go thru the gate and give your slip to the guard and they will seat you. If you are visiting at the Trusty Camp or Boot Camp then you pick up your slip, go back out to your car and drive around to the Camps. You will have to go around the back of the unit to get to them. When you get in your car headed out you take a right go to the stop sign and take a left, then take another left, the Trusty Camp is is the first one you will get to it will be on your right, once you go up in there you can park in the first row of parking, then just go into the building on the right, hopfully someone will come along that can share what comes next cause I dont visit over there, the Boot Camp is on down, take a left at the stop sign and youll see the parking lot, The gate should be unlocked if not someone should be standing there, go thur the gate then thru the door when you walk in there will be the candy vending machine right in front of you, there will be a short hallway on your right when you get to the machine go thru the door at the end of the hallway there is a guard sitting at a desk once you go thru the door, she will take your slip, since its summer time they usually have the outside area open, so you can either just take a seat inside or wait for him to get there and yall can go outside if its open. A hug and kiss before and one after. Hands visible at all times, yall can hold hands the whole time if you want. Enjoy your Two hour visit.

They just got a new warden Raymond Thompson, he just got there last month and so far he is ok. I have heard that he has got on to a few of the guards for the way they talk to the guys and also they can no longer strip them in the hallways without a valid reason. Also the last time I was there I was told that anytime now that if the guy is at the Boot Camp not sure about the Trusty Camp, but it maybe included, and you are on the guys list as a friend, then you can nolonger visit them contact, yall will have to visit inside the building. Yes they are making them walking into the building and the visit will be thru the glass.

That's pretty much all I got, anyone is welcome to add anything I may have left out.

[londonlimey]

Thank you!

[Vahidbar092280]

TRAVIS STATE JAIL

Address: 8101 FM 969
Austin, Texas 78724
Warden: Pitman

Visitation: They are pretty good at enfocing the dress code when it comes time to skirts and shorts. They say $10 in quarters (you can bring other change also) but I've gone in with more. You an only take in though $10 in a roll. If they are loose bring them in a clear baggy and your drivers liscence and Key to your car. Make sure when you go in that you know all of your vehicle information or they will send you back out to get it!!! For example your plates. That's the one nobody ever seems to know!! They have a bunch of new young gaurds who are there ego's go through the roof. There are a handful of gaurds who are nice and willing to talk to you and help you out. The new guys typically treat you like your one of the inmates.

If you go on Saturday to visit plan on either going very early because the line starts at 5:00 am is what my love tells me. And plan on waiting. I showed up to my first visit at 9:00 am and got number 66 when visits started at 8:00am. I didn't get in until after 12:00pm.

If you go on Sundays they are a little easier to get in. I can show up at 7 or 7:30 and get in by 9:00am. And the gaurds are nicer on Sundays!! But if you go on Sunday I would bring dimes and nickels if you go on Sunday. The machines are normally full of Quarters and wont take them at all. And normally by Sunday at noon the machines are empty. So that typically leads to a grumpy inmate because it's the only time they really get the "Treats" with out having to buy them on commisarry. Mine being on restrictions it's the only time he gets "Treats."

Don't bother calling up and asking for alot of information they wont give it with out verfing who you are. They will give you information for the medical and the inmates number and stuff like that other wise the men are very quick to say we can't give you that information. Such as Has he already had his visit for the week. But alot of times if you can catch one of the woman they are quick to help you.

[lilsisinchi]

Dawson State-to add a bit, the address is 106 Commerce Street in Dallas (don't know the zip) Special visits (cause thats really all that I ask for since I come from Chi)-have only gotten 2 two hour visits (sat and sun) both contact visits. Have a friend who lives in Dallas and visits my brother-no shorts (friend was turned away after waiting 1 hour). Won't give medical info unless inmate has a documented authorization on file-glasses/meds can be sent to the main address straight to the infermary dicrectly from the medical provider/optomitrist with a copy of the prescription enclosed(Ms. Rancher is very helpful).

[shellsmithrandy]

My husband is in Hunstville, the Holliday Unit and i havent gotten a letter from him in a wk and a half and he is great about writing like everyday 9 or ten pages then i got worried and called and they are on lockdown, has anyone had this problem lately? does anyone know if they are through with lockdown? and i havent got to visit yet, i am really scared and they wrote me down as a friend cause he didnt have a marriage licence to show them yet, i sent it to him.... so i wonder how long it takes for them to change that????? anyone please help!! thanks Gosh i miss him so much.

[shellsmithrandy]

anyone know any info on lockdown at hollidayunit in huntsville tx? i am worried, and he has only been there for a month and a half, havent heard from him and havent got to visit him yet... i miss him so much

[jftazzy102]

Shells, I would call the unit and talk with the chaplin or the warden concerning the marriage license. I would go ahead and get a copy of it so that way YOU can send it in to them..It shouldn't take long at all for them to get it changed.

but as far as the lockdown I have no info if they are off of it or not.

[LilEsSnowWhite]

Can someone give the same type of information on the Robertson Unit in Abilene that is across from Middleton (to my understanding)? It would be greatly appreciated!

[Trulykath]

I'm kath....crazy PTO staffer who came for a visit and decided to stay forever LOL!!

Skip is home now...it will be 2 years in September...(I know..I can't believe it either!!)
His stay started in Harris County in Nov 02...he was moved to Garza West (transfer in Beeville), then on to Garza East (another transfer in Beeville...right down the street from West).

He did the Garza shuffle for a bit, then they moved him for an 11 day, fun-filled vacation stay at Dominguez State Jail in San Antonio. From there, he went back to Garza, then on to Darrington (Rosharon), up to Holliday(Huntsville) and over to CCA Mineral Wells. He was released Sept 03.

I have info on any of the above units and I'm still here, by the Grace of God, to help ANYONE else out who is going thru this chit. I visited Garza, Dominguez and Mineral Wells regularly. Ya'll holler if I can help in any way!!

kath

[distant_love]

come someone please give me info bout the Robertson Unit!!! Thank you.