Texas Correctional Institute

23/07/2024

The Huntsville “Walls” Unit Clock is restored. This historic clock was damaged during the fire on August 25, 2023

22/07/2024

Contraband is out of control in TDCJ. The coverup artist in TDCJ aren’t making it go away. You can’t hide the deaths.

Investigation Reveals TDCJ Michael Unit Inmate Dies From Overdose Uncategorized July 22, 2024July 22, 2024admin By Lance Lowry 07-22-2024 Huntsville, Texas – An updated custodial death report filed by the Texas Board of Criminal Justice Inspector General to the Texas Attorney General has ruled the...

22/07/2024

You will start to see a trend in recent inmate death investigations.

TDCJ Robertson Unit Death Investigation Ruled Accident by Overdose Uncategorized July 22, 2024admin By Lance Lowry 07-21-2024 Huntsville, Texas – An updated custodial death report filed by the Texas Board of Criminal Justice Inspector General to the Texas Attorney General has ruled the death of an...

21/07/2024

Custodial Death Investigation at the Holliday Unit rules an inmate death as a su***de.

TDCJ Custodial Death Investigation Ruled a Su***de Uncategorized July 21, 2024July 21, 2024admin By Lance Lowry 07-21-2024 Huntsville, Texas – A custodial death report filed by the Texas Board of Criminal Justice Inspector General to the Texas Attorney General has ruled the death of an inmate at t...

21/07/2024

TDCJ has ordered twenty 3D imaging machines to be placed around the state to detect contraband. Unlike traditional metal detectors, these machines can be used to detect concealed contraband such as drugs or 3D printed plastic guns.

TDCJ Orders 3D Imaging Scanners For 20 Units Across Texas Uncategorized July 21, 2024July 21, 2024admin By Lance Lowry 07-21-2024 Wilmington, MA – Liberty Defense Holdings Ltd, announced that its HEXWAVE system was selected by Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to screen staff and visito....

18/07/2024

BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE. TDCJ’s leadership sometimes forgets their customers are the taxpayers and communities in Texas. Poor communications is a continuous problem in TDCJ.

Poor communications with counties and the taxpaying members of those communities is one reason a family of 5 is now dead.

The Texas Board of Criminal Justice needs to ensure the leadership in TDCJ is accountable to their customers.

TDCJ’s Executive Director Bryan Collier needs to answer why the agency has poor communications issues and make sure there is accountability.

Houston Public Media’s Lucio Vasquez shares what he and KERA’s Miranda Suarez have learned about this statewide issue.

16/07/2024

A current TDCJ resident was indicted after he carefully planned a burglary using a mask to disguise himself from a surveillance camera.

He forgot to take proper COVID & burglary precautions by wearing gloves. Detectives quickly identified him using fingerprint evidence he left behind at the scene.

Walker County Indictments for June 2024 Released Uncategorized July 16, 2024July 16, 2024admin By Staff Writer 07-16-2024 Huntsville, Texas – Today the Walker County Criminal District Attorney Will Durham released the names of individuals indicted by the Walker County Grand Jury for the month of J...

16/07/2024

8 years ago today Officer Mari Johnson was murdered by an inmate inside of the kitchen at the Robertson Unit in Abilene, Texas.

EOW 07-16-2016

15/07/2024

9 years ago Officer Timothy A Davison was attacked and murdered by an inmate with a metal tray slot bar at the Telford Unit in New Boston, TX.

End of Watch 07-15-2015

15/07/2024

Man threatens Utility Workers With Gun after being without air conditioning. Now he could face decades in TDCJ without air conditioning.

08/07/2024

Someone needs to tell TDCJ admin there is a Hurricane impacting their areas.

TDCJ Update

TDCJ updated after 7 AM:

Due to Hurricane Beryl, the following locations will have delayed office openings with a report time of noon for non-essential employees:
Angleton DPO
Galveston DPO
Houston DPO I - VII
Rosenberg DPO
Webster DPO
Clemens
Hospital Galveston
Jester 3
Kegans
Lychner Memorial
Ramsey
Scott
Stringfellow
Terrell
Vance
Young
Region 3 Training Academy

Continue to monitor the agency's social media channels and website for updates.

Work attendance for TDCJ’s non-essential employees for the Huntsville area is unknown at this time.

TDCJ’s Public Information Officer would not respond to our request to comment on if non-essential employees would be required to report to work in storm impacted areas.

SHSU

Due to the impending inclement weather Sam Houston State University has announced the closure of ALL SHSU locations Monday June 8th.

All face-to-face classes are cancelled. Only essential university personnel should report.

Huntsville ISD

Out of an abundance of caution, all Huntsville ISD locations will be CLOSED TOMORROW, Monday July 8, 2024. This decision is due to the forecasted heavy rain and high winds associated with Tropical Storm Beryl, potential for flooding, road closures and power outages, as well as other emergency-related purposes.

The District will continue to monitor the weather conditions for our immediate area and send additional updates, if needed. Please take all necessary precautions to keep your family safe.

Huntsville State Park

Park Alert!

Huntsville State Park will be closed Monday, July 8th. State park staff has been working to prep for the incoming storm and notify guests. We encourage our fans to remain safe through the next couple of days.

After the storm comes through, we will assess the damage and post an update. Best wishes and stay safe Texas.

DPS on Commercial Vehicles

IMPORTANT: A notice has been issued regarding the suspension of motor carrier vehicle hours and service requirements under the disaster declaration regarding severe weather related to Hurricane .

https://hvhappens.com/index.php/2024/07/08/huntsville-storm-closures/

06/07/2024

We understand the Whataburger…
but why would you want the to***co after being locked up for years?

Contraband Whataburger Ketchup And 2 LBS Of To***co Discovered Being Smuggled Into A TDCJ Prison

Huntsville, Texas – Officers with the Walker County Sheriff’s Department on June 20th notice a suspicious vehicle parked next to the Ellis Unit Hog Barn on FM 980 for an extended period of time.

Officers with the Office of Inspector General arrested Kristopher Cline. Upon arrest officers discovered Cline was allegedly attempting to smuggle two pounds of pipe to***co, one Whataburger ketchup bottle, two Geek Bar V**e Pens, 16 packages of Bugler wrapping papers, one mayonnaise bottle, one mustard bottle, a pack of Cool Ranch Doritos, a pack of Nacho Cheese Doritos, and two packages of hamburger buns into the prison unit.

TDCJ alleges Cline admitted to Investigators Wright and Samuels that he was attempting to drop the to***co and food off to his friend incarcerated at the Ellis Unit.

Cline was booked into the Walker County Jail for Prohibited Substance / Item In a Correctional Facility and Unlawful Carrying of Weapon. Cline was released the next day on a $12,000 bond pending trial.

See more at:

https://hvhappens.com/index.php/2024/07/06/contraband-whataburger-ketchup-and-2-lbs-of-to***co-discovered-being-smuggled-into-a-tdcj-prison/

02/07/2024

Keep an eye on the Tropics, units in South Texas especially. Hurricane Beryl is now an extremely dangerous Category 5 Hurricane and the predicted path has shifted closer to South Texas.

A weakening High pressure in the Gulf may allow the storm to take a more northerly path towards the Texas coast.

29/06/2024

Shuttered Bartlett State Jail Will Reopen As TDCJ Bartlett Unit Uncategorized June 29, 2024admin In a press release this week the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and the city of Bartlett in Williamson County announced the reopening of the Bartlett Unit, formally known as Bartlett State J...

28/06/2024

Again??? Yes again.

This is the second time since September 2023 that a TDCJ officer on duty at the St. Joseph Hospital in Bryan lost a gun.

26/06/2024

Murdering Sexual Predator Will Likely Face Ex*****on Today Uncategorized June 26, 2024admin Ramiro Gonzales will likely face ex*****on by lethal injection at 6 PM today June 26, 2024. The convicted sexual predator was found guilty of kidnapping and sexually assaulting an 18-year-old female before fa...

23/06/2024

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice along with Brazoria County law enforcement is conducting a massive search for a TDCJ prison escapee. Kidanny Robles a 33 year old inmate, was discovered missing from the Clemens prison near Angleton during their midnight count on Sunday, June 23.

Robles is believed to have walked away from the trusty housing area outside of the main prison unit.
Robles is serving a 20-year sentence for aggravated robbery, robbery and burglary of a habitation out of Bexar County as well as a subsequent 180-day sentence for possession of a controlled substance out of Nueces County from 2022. After being granted parole in 2021, he returned to TDCJ for violating his parole.

Anonymous tips can be given to the Office of Inspector General at 1-800-832-8477.

TDCJ Escape Uncategorized June 23, 2024June 23, 2024admin The Texas Department of Criminal Justice along with Brazoria County law enforcement is conducting a massive search for a TDCJ prison escapee. Kidanny Robles a 33 year old inmate, was discovered missing from the Clemens prison near Angleton du...

21/06/2024

21/06/2024

Feds Indict 24 Texas Prison Gang Members

SAN ANTONIO – Thursday U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas announced at a press conference that 24 alleged members and associates of the Texas prison gang Hermanos de Pistoleros Latinos (HPL) were indicted in San Antonio for criminal charges related to their alleged drug and firearm trafficking.

Daniel Comeaux Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration Houston Division stated “members rely on the money made outside to fund members behind bars and help HPL as an organization thrive at the devastating expense of our communities.”

Law enforcement arrested 19 alleged gang members and associates Tuesday in an operation involving federal, state and local agencies. Five of the 24 defendants were already in federal or state custody prior to Tuesday’s arrests.

Hermanos de Pistoleros Latinos (HPL) is a prison gang which operates in Texas prisons and has strong street ties to South Texas. The gang is involved in narcotics, fi****ms, and human trafficking. HPL maintains ties with the Mexican Cartels.

Thursday’s s indictment carries 24 counts including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute he**in; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute co***ne; conspiracy to possess fi****ms in furtherance of drug trafficking; conspiracy to traffic fi****ms; and more. If convicted, the defendants face varying ranges of time in prison, from maximum sentences of 15 or 20 years to penalties of five years to life in prison.

At Thursday’s press conference the U.S. Attorney thanked federal, state and local law enforcement partners, led by the FBI and DEA for helping to reduce violence, and firearm and drug crimes in the communities. U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza stated, “their professionalism, determination, and expertise help protect the safety of our citizens and allow our federal prosecutors to keep violent criminals out of our communities for years.”

Special Agent in Charge Daniel Comeaux for the Drug Enforcement Administration Houston Division stated “these arrests will put a dent into HPL’s drug trafficking activities that have been their main source of income.”

The defendants arrested Tuesday are:

1. Daniel Natividad aka “Danny Boy,” 50, of Hebronville
2. Brian Zepeda aka “Get Down”, 39, of San Antonio
3. Roberto Ibarra aka “Bobby,” 44, of Laredo
4. Mike Rayas Carrillo aka “Gordo,” 37, of San Antonio
5. Jesus Mendoza Jr. aka “Chivo,” 50, of San Antonio
6. Gilberto Garcia aka “Gibo,” 42, of San Antonio
7. Ramon Lozoya aka “Bulldog,” 41, of San Antonio
8. Maximo Flores Jr., 44, of San Antonio
9. Miguel Zamora Rosas aka “Eight Ball”, 39, of San Antonio
10. Paul Garcia aka “Baby Paul”, 38, of San Antonio
11. Abraham Pagan aka “Shank,” 44, of San Antonio
12. Mark Anthony Avila, 43, of San Antonio
13. Rudy Hugo Lopez, 34, of San Antonio
14. Robert Davalos Alvarado aka “Pork Chop,” 41, of San Antonio
15. Raymond Medina aka “Crime”, 35, of San Antonio
16. Roger Hilburn, 33, of San Antonio
17. Armando Perales aka “Pitbull,” 54, of San Antonio
18. Ruben Rivera, 36, of San Antonio
19. JR Perales, 31, of San Antonio
The following defendants were already in custody:
20. Antonio Rios Jr. aka “Tone”, 33, of San Antonio
21. Vidal Morales Jr. aka “Moe”, 49, of San Antonio
22. Ronald Mendoza aka “Ronnie,” 41, of San Antonio
23. Carlos Bernal aka “Guero,” 46, of San Antonio
24. Adrian Calvillo aka “Token,” 40, of San Antonio

The FBI and DEA are leading the investigation with valuable assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, Texas Department of Public Safety, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, and San Antonio Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Nowinksi and Fidel Esparza III are prosecuting the case.

12/06/2024

09/06/2024

Flooding again near Estelle Unit. TXDOT closed FM 3478 @ Trinity River bridge. Use Highway 19 bridge if crossing the Trinity River in this area.

08/06/2024

TDCJ has enough air conditioning across its units to cool one in three inmates. This $85 million effort will bring that to 44%.

25/05/2024

A now former TDCJ Springfellow officer is out on bond for allegedly smuggling to***co into the unit.

Kourtney Finley was released from the Brazoria County Jail on a $10,000 bond after she was arrested for allegedly bringing in several cans of to***co on March 26th. The TBCJ Office of Inspector General arrested the officer after she was allegedly found with the contraband during an entry search.

Finley will be facing a third degree felony under Texas Penal Code 38.11. Prohibited Substances and Items in Correctional or Civil Commitment Facility. The charge carries a prison sentence in TDCJ of 2 to 10 years.

18/05/2024

“I’m Going Back to TDCJ Smile”

Jenna Morgan was apprehended for allegedly attempting to smuggle contraband into the Stiles Unit in Beaumont. Upon inspection and questioning by TDCJ correction officials, she pulled out a blue glove with 2.2 ounces of to***co and rolling paper hidden in her sweatshirt.

Morgan was booked into the Jefferson County Jail on March 9th and later transferred to TDCJ on May 14th. She is currently incarcerated at the TDCJ Woodman Unit.

Morgan is serving a sentence in TDCJ for a previous conviction out of Gregg County for Endangering a Child after she was arrested in 2020 for possessing methamphetamines in the presence of an infant.

Morgan had previous convictions out of Smith County for Burglary of Building, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle (UUMV), and Possession of Controlled Substance Penalty Group I under 1 Gram.

13/05/2024

A partial power outage occurred at the McConnell Unit in Beeville on Thursday, with a total outage occurring on Friday. Repairs are underway now.

10/05/2024

The ceremony took place Wednesday morning, just ahead of National Police Week.

08/05/2024

TBCJ’s last meeting turnout to be one of the liveliest we’ve heard of in a while.

Families and advocates complain of death, misery in the state’s prison system

06/05/2024

Your tax $$$ are funding a TDCJ HR that invites lawsuits. This lawsuit was easily avoidable.

A federal lawsuit asserts that the Texas agency terminated a state prison clerk who refused to remove a head covering in line with her Ifa faith.

26/04/2024

BREAKING BAD: Former TDCJ GUARD Robert Vincent Earsley, 43, was arrested April 18 for a bribery indictment.

The former TDCJ employee resigned in December 2022 while under investigation at the Clements Unit in Amarillo. According to an unsealed indictment, the former guard was allegedly paid by two men in November 2022 to sneak a cellphone into the unit.

Earsley is currently out on bond after being booked into the Potter County Jail. He may be facing 2 to 20 years in TDCJ for his second degree bribery charge.

24/04/2024

Sam Houston is wearing the new Houston Texans jersey… rumors of (Longest Yard) new TDCJ inmate football jerseys is false.