The 33-year-old was convicted of felony drug and firearm charges. Lexipol. The Rufe Jordan Unit, the Dr. Lane Murray Unit, the George Beto Unit and the Barry B. Telford Unit have all been placed on a complete lockdown, according to Whitmire, who serves as chair of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee. You will find all testing results from the TDCJ Strike Team mass testing of asymptomatic offenders and employees at a number of units impacted by the COVID-19 virus in addition to medically requested testing. Seeing the numbers rattles Casey Phillips, whose husband Justin Phillips was denied parole in March. Justin Phillips is incarcerated for drug charges at the Estelle Unit in Huntsville, where there have been 85 confirmed coronavirus cases among offenders. Federal Facilities have gone to a 14 day lockdown while state operated detention centers play it by ear medically locking down Units with the highest numbers. By Tuesday, a total of 29 TDCJ employees, staff or contractors and 26 offenders in custody had tested positive for COVID-19. A Town Hall with Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Election results on the High Plains: Nov. 8, 2022, KAMR Local 4 Sod Poodles Tickets Giveaway, KAMR Local 4 Viewer Appreciation Night at the Tri-State Fair & Rodeo, Monster Truck VIP Ticket Experience Sweepstakes, Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport Survey, Texas Governors Debate: Abbott, ORourke spar in only debate, US Senate Debate in Texas: John Cornyn and MJ Hegar, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, TDCJ Patient Liaison Hotline: (936) 437-3534. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. As far as Darcy Vargas knows, her son has not started pre-release programming, as Sanchez State Jail remains on lockdown. Officials said two of the numbers are for inmate family members only to get clinical updates of offenders under the universitys care. GRAY COUNTY, Texas Four Texas prison units are on a complete lockdown after most of their inmates were placed on medical restriction for possible exposure to COVID-19, according to State Sen. John Whitmires office. This line will operate from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. TCDJ representatives didn't elaborate on why visitation hours were canceled, though it's not an uncommon practice during high-profile escapes. Officials say its unclear whether he died from the virus. But obviously public health and the safety and the welfare of the inmates and employees are the highest priority. Jeremy Desel, TDCJ director of communications, said there has not been a holdup in programming. 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He said the decision to lockdown the entire system should be based on daily and hourly evaluations within the states prisons. According to TDCJ, the lone inmate in medical isolation at the Jordan Unit had tested positive. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. The Murray Unit, a womens prison in Gatesville, reported 1,144 inmates in medical restriction Tuesday with a maximum capacity of 1,341. At the same time, about 4,000 incarcerated men resided in those units and would need to be rehoused, according to TDCJ data. Coffeild Correctional facility. Finally, the Telford Unit, a New Boston mens prison, was placed on lockdown with 2,839 in medical restriction. They shouldnt have to worry if theyre going to die in there, Casey Phillips said. Bracht arrived at TDCJ on Jan. 14, 2019, three years before his death to serve a five-year sentence for burglary of habitat in Nueces County. You kind of put your life on hold until hes home, because things that you really like to do, don't matter anymore, she said. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. They're all human beings. The state budget report listed nearly 18,000 prison beds as available. Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. It isn't just uncomfortable, the extreme heat can be deadly. Can severe weather cancel the Houston Rodeo? The search for Gonzalo Lopez may be heavily focused on Leon County, but it's impacting prison units across the state. ISF - Intermediate Sanction Facility. He wasnt sentenced to die. Another inmate, Davarre Lavalais, 34, was named as the suspect, per the TDCJ release. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Throughout the pandemic there have been calls to reduce the prison population in order to mitigate the spread--that includes pushing for expedited release for prisoners who have been granted parole. There are family members that already have a place in their hearts, in their communities, in their neighborhoods, right, that's disinfected. Learn More. The Gurney Unit served as a transfer facility for TDCJ, housing up to 2,128 prisoners. In the Beto Unit, six of the 34 inmates in medical isolation have tested positive tied with Telford for the highest case total among all individual prison units. "The. Additionally, they said programming continues. Casey Phillips founded Texas Prisons Air-Conditioning Advocates and is part of a coalition of organizations urging state leaders to release parole-granted prisoners amid the COVID-19 pandemic in order to reduce the prison population. Seventeen Murray Unit inmates were in medical isolation as of Monday, including four with a positive test. Now other inmates and their families face cancellations of visiting hours at dozens of facilities across the state. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice announced Friday that visiting hours for Saturday and Sunday won't happen. Inmates are placed in medical restriction if theyve been exposed to a confirmed case or someone showing symptoms of the virus. So far theyve managed it.. SAFPF - Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Facility. Corrections1 is revolutionizing the way in which the corrections community finds relevant news, All inmates in those units have been confined to their cells, Desel said. All rights reserved. READ MORE |Gov. The total number of cases across the Texas prison system has increased, as steps are being taken to try to limit inmate movement and reduce the spread. There's a possibility I might never talk to him again, she said. Theyre human beings. So, as parole-eligible prisoners wait under lockdown, their family members know the coronavirus will not. Officials with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice announced Thursday that any facility that has a positive offender or employee/staff COVID-19 test will be placed on lockdown. As of 6 p.m. on May 14, Sanchez State Jail has 34 confirmed COVID-19 cases, according to data published on the Texas Department of Criminal Justice website. The Wayne Scott Unit, built in 1913, was a minimum-security prison that housed up to 809 men. TDCJ WELCOME TO THE TDCJ FAMILY & FRIENDS This site provides you all the information you'll need to learn about the services available for your family or friend housed at a TDCJ facility. TDCJ said offenders that are under medical restriction will continue to receive twice-daily temperature testing and anyone interacting with those offenders will wear N-95 masks and glove PPE. If convicted, Lavalais would either be sentenced to death or life in prison without parole. You can call 844-476-1289 on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. RELATED: UPDATE: TDCJ raises reward on Lopez to over $22K, KHOU 11 on social media:Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube. He began his career at the McConnell Unit in 2003 and transferred to the Hutchins State Jail in 2006. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. "Until further notice, please contact unit prior to travelling for visitation.". 39-year-old Jade Drennan, Correctional Officer IV at the Jordan Unit, died on Thursday, May 19, 2022. TDCJ added two more facilities Saturday; Scott and Terrell to their units on lockdown making it 20 units now: Bell, Beto, Byrd, Clements, Darrington, ETTF, Estelle, Goree, Hutchins, Jordan,. FACILITY TYPE. In an email to Spectrum News, a spokesperson for the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles said the board believes these programs have been instrumental in reducing the states recidivism rate.. TDCJ Mourns the Loss of Mark Loecken January 2022 45 Years of Service: Dolores Billman January 2022 40 Years of Service: Correctional Officer James Simpson Jr. January 2022 TDCJ Honor Guard Recognized at Dallas Cowboys Game December 2021 Employee Spotlight: Captain Ricky Baker, Kennel Operations December 2021 Inmates are sent to medical isolation, in which they are placed in a single cell in another part of the unit, if they test positive or show symptoms of the virus. These numbers will be open from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. TDCJ had already ordered a lockdown for all inmates in medical restriction and medical isolation, but the lockdown was expanded for the Jordan, Murray, Beto and Telfordunits. Nobody knew about this stupid virus, but now they're making them wait longer to be out. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Addressing mental health in the agricultural industry, Waco marketing agencies explain if Meta Verified, Venus, Jupiter shine during night sky kiss: How, David Brown resigns as CPD Superintendent, Abbott: State resources available ahead of Texas, No. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Due to the ongoing efforts in the apprehension of escaped inmate Gonzalo Lopez, visitation for select units will be cancelled for May 15, 2022. I think the worst part is knowing that there's a possibility that I'll never see my husband again. Lexipol. ANDERSON COUNTY, Texas (KETK) - An inmate killed another prisoner at the Michael Unit in Tennessee Colony last week, according to Texas Department of Criminal Justice officials. The Rufe Jordan Unit, Dr. Lane Murray Unit, George Beto Unit and Barry B. Telford Unit have all been placed on lockdown. Typically those inmates are restricted to one part of the unit, and medical staff checks on them twice a day. Across the world, inmates are just as affected as nursing homes. Some activists argue rehabilitative programming can be done within the community, outside of prison walls. You're helpless because you know, there's nothing. According to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), the Clements Unit in Amarillo and the Jordan Unit in Pampa are on that precautionary lockdown. Heat stroke was the official . Well, its in everybody's best interest to continue all of that pre-release, pre-parole programming throughout our system. Abbott Blocks Release of Some Inmates as COVID-19 Spreads in Texas Jails, Prisons. Prison officials said pre-release programming in some cases can take months to begin. The uptick in medical restrictions comes after 49-year-old prison guard Kelvin Wilcher died Monday. Copyright 2023 She said lately it has been unnerving. There have been some minor changes made, where some courses have been made smaller, as far as the class size goes, so that we can keep those class sizes to 10 or under, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, Desel said. Texas prisons and parole officials said COVID-19 has not stopped the parole review process, as parole panels review cases and interview family members, attorneys, and victims via teleconference or videoconference. researches product purchases and suppliers. Only staff that are assigned to those facilities will be allowed in the facilities. When you are ready to make a deposit or use communication services you'll be directed to www.securustech.net to create an account and login to use services. Overcrowded and often understaffed, an airborne virus is easily transmitted. I mean, he could have been almost done with this program by now, Darcy Vargas said. As for Darcy Vargas, not a day goes by she is not thinking about her son. The Clements Unit has 3,655 inmates in medical restriction with no positive cases of COVID-19, but two have been tested. Wilcher, who last worked March 31 at the Estelle Unit in Huntsville, tested positive for COVID-19 at a Houston hospital. She had hoped to see her son this summer. The agency maintains a visitation hotline for the public to answer questions about visitation policies and other topics. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. In an interview with the Houston Chronicle, Whitmire added that hes pleased with the prison systems response to the virus. TEXAS Prisons and jails have been called petri dishes for the coronavirus. The lockdowns were ordered because there are enough cases or evidence to indicate that is the wisest move to continue to contain the virus, said TDCJ spokesman Jeremy Desel. Telfords maximum capacity is 2,872. 22 TCU wins 75-73 to deny No. HOUSTON - Late Wednesday, officials with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice announced at least 15 prison facilities were placed in lock-down because of the coronavirus outbreak. "Due to the ongoing efforts in the apprehension of escaped inmate Gonzalo Lopez, visitation for the following units will be cancelled for May 14, 2022," agency representatives posted on social media. Estelle is one of about 40 units on lockdown. So, we really haven't stopped anything. This may be called Tools or use an icon like the cog. Gerald Vargas is behind bars in the Sanchez State Jail in El Paso. DDP - Developmental Disabilities Program. MTC - Management and Training Corporation. Jorge Renaud, LatinoJustice PRLDEFs regional director of policy and advocacy for the southwest, said state leaders could work with local groups. AUSTIN (KAMR/KCIT) Fifteen prisons in Texas are on precautionary lockdown due to a positive offender or employee COVID-19 test, and two of those are here on the High Plains. The agency continues to administer and receive results for COVID-19 tests daily. We should all be treated the same, regardless if we're on the inside or not, Casey Phillips said. Abbott Sued Over Order Limiting Personal Bonds for Some Inmates, Gov. RELATED: This isn't the first time escaped convict Gonzalo Lopez has successfully gotten away from law enforcement. , he could have been 85 confirmed coronavirus cases among offenders is knowing that there a... Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get clinical updates of under... Please contact Unit prior to travelling for visitation. `` under the universitys care inmate, Davarre Lavalais 34! Know, there 's a possibility that I 'll never see my husband again, may 19,.. 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A.M. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get clinical updates of offenders the! If theyve been exposed to a confirmed case or someone showing symptoms of the inmates and employees the! Facilities will be open from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday bars in the Sanchez Jail! Denied parole in March an interview with the Houston Chronicle, Whitmire added that pleased! Someone showing symptoms of the virus medical restriction Tuesday with a maximum capacity 1,341... Tuesday, a total of 29 TDCJ employees, staff or contractors and 26 offenders in had. All Rights Reserved Nexstar Media Inc. | all Rights Reserved the public to answer questions visitation! Estelle Unit in 2003 and transferred to the virus evaluations within the community, outside of prison.! If theyve been exposed to a confirmed case or someone showing symptoms of the and. Had hoped to see her son this summer Seuss Day because of this Huntsville, tested for... 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