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. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice announced Friday that visiting hours for Saturday and Sunday won't happen. Can severe weather cancel the Houston Rodeo? The Rufe Jordan Unit, Dr. Lane Murray Unit, George Beto Unit and Barry B. Telford Unit have all been placed on lockdown. The search for Gonzalo Lopez may be heavily focused on Leon County, but it's impacting prison units across the state. The Beto Unit, a mens prison with a maximum capacity of 3,471, reported 3,356 inmates in medical restriction. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Clements Unit has 3,655 inmates in medical restriction with no positive cases of COVID-19, but two have been tested. The Murray Unit, a womens prison in Gatesville, reported 1,144 inmates in medical restriction Tuesday with a maximum capacity of 1,341. 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. I mean, he could have been almost done with this program by now, Darcy Vargas said. Gerald Vargas is behind bars in the Sanchez State Jail in El Paso. It isn't just uncomfortable, the extreme heat can be deadly. 2 Alabama rallies, beats rival Auburn 90-85 in, Kevin Durant scores 23 points in Charlotte in Suns, Gruver Lady Hounds basketball looks to reclaim UIL, Hall of Fame Cowgirl celebrates 92nd birthday, Upgrade your drinks for St. Patricks Day. Meanwhile, 697 employees have contracted the disease, and seven have died. The video above is from related reporting. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Jeremy Desel, TDCJ director of communications, said there has not been a holdup in programming. As for Darcy Vargas, not a day goes by she is not thinking about her son. So, as parole-eligible prisoners wait under lockdown, their family members know the coronavirus will not. Some activists argue rehabilitative programming can be done within the community, outside of prison walls. I don't think it matters if it's a son or a daughter. But a spokesperson with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice says such a move to have programming conducted outside of prison facilities requires changes to state law. Officials said two of the numbers are for inmate family members only to get clinical updates of offenders under the universitys care. 2023, Charter Communications, all rights reserved. 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. Download it here. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. RELATED: This isn't the first time escaped convict Gonzalo Lopez has successfully gotten away from law enforcement. 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. Key to Operator and Type of Facility. Overcrowded and often understaffed, an airborne virus is easily transmitted. Among the prisons on lockdown, the Jordan Unit reported 993 inmates in medical restriction as of Tuesday. Sanchez is one of nearly 40 Texas prison facilities with confirmed cases. Additionally, they said programming continues. Jorge Renaud, LatinoJustice PRLDEFs regional director of policy and advocacy for the southwest, said state leaders could work with local groups. The Neal Unit housed up to 1,728 prisoners. "Until further notice, please contact unit prior to travelling for visitation.". 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. Corrections1 is revolutionizing the way in which the corrections community finds relevant news, 9 Texas a B12 title, No. Only staff that are assigned to those facilities will be allowed in the facilities. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. By Tuesday, a total of 29 TDCJ employees, staff or contractors and 26 offenders in custody had tested positive for COVID-19. 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. Abbott Blocks Release of Some Inmates as COVID-19 Spreads in Texas Jails, Prisons, California Consumer Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information, California Consumer Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. There's not anything anyone else can do. On Jan. 13, around 11:58 p.m., an inmate was found on the floor of his cell with severe injuries to his head. He wasnt sentenced to die. Just a quarter of Texas' state prisons - 28 of 107 - have air conditioning throughout the unit. These numbers will be open from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Such programs, which are typical for prisoners who have been approved parole, could cover life skills, substance abuse treatment, or therapeutic community services. Due to the ongoing efforts in the apprehension of escaped inmate Gonzalo Lopez, visitation for select units will be cancelled for May 15, 2022. A men's prison in Pampa, the unit's maximum capacity is 1,008, according to TDCJ's website. Updated: Jan 20, 2022 / 03:21 PM CST. The Jordan Unit has 933 in medical restriction, with one inmate and a corrections officer testing positive. Inmates are placed in medical restriction if theyve been exposed to a confirmed case or someone showing symptoms of the virus. Lavalais was scheduled to be released in six months on July 5. Learn More. He said the decision to lockdown the entire system should be based on daily and hourly evaluations within the states prisons. Estelle is one of about 40 units on lockdown. Prison officials said pre-release programming in some cases can take months to begin. According to TDCJ data, 1,798 Texas prisoners have tested positive for the coronavirus, and 30 have died. Officer Ruiz had 18 years of service with TDCJ. It has become the most comprehensive and trusted online destination for correctional professionals nationwide. READ MORE |Gov. They are given a face masks, and nurses regularly check their respiratory status, officials said. There's not anything you can do. Why do teens temporarily reject parents? Darcy Vargas said she has not seen her son in four years. I think the worst part is knowing that there's a possibility that I'll never see my husband again. The state budget report listed nearly 18,000 prison beds as available. (A lockdown) is a tremendous hardship on the inmates and the correctional officers, he said. 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.. The agency continues to administer and receive results for COVID-19 tests daily. 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. If convicted, Lavalais would either be sentenced to death or life in prison without parole. Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Seventeen Murray Unit inmates were in medical isolation as of Monday, including four with a positive test. READ MORE |Gov. 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. He began his career at the McConnell Unit in 2003 and transferred to the Hutchins State Jail in 2006. 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. At the same time, about 4,000 incarcerated men resided in those units and would need to be rehoused, according to TDCJ data. The hospital pronounced him dead roughly 90 minutes after being found. Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts. FACILITY TYPE. 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Photo of Davarre Lavalais, courtesy of Bexar County. 22 TCU wins 75-73 to deny No. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. 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. The statewide search for an escaped Texas prison inmate is having an impact far beyond the Leon County countryside where he was last seen. statewide search for an escaped Texas prison inmate, This isn't the first time escaped convict Gonzalo Lopez has successfully gotten away from law enforcement, according to data from the National Institute of Corrections, UPDATE: TDCJ raises reward on Lopez to over $22K. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. 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. Typically those inmates are restricted to one part of the unit, and medical staff checks on them twice a day. Coffeild Correctional facility. Officials say its unclear whether he died from the virus. Six of the 22 prisoners in medical isolation at Telford tested positive. In an interview with the Houston Chronicle, Whitmire added that hes pleased with the prison systems response to the virus. The Wayne Scott Unit, built in 1913, was a minimum-security prison that housed up to 809 men. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. 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. 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. It doesn't make them a bad person. So far theyve managed it.. (To check this information, contact the eCommDirect office at 936-437-4726. READ MORE |As Testing Increases, Jails, Prisons Reporting More Cases of COVID-19. Another inmate, Davarre Lavalais, 34, was named as the suspect, per the TDCJ release. The uptick in medical restrictions comes after 49-year-old prison guard Kelvin Wilcher died Monday. Theyre human beings. 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. He died two days later. You cannot practice social distancing in a prison, Renaud said. Example video title will go here for this video. Across the world, inmates are just as affected as nursing homes. Abbott Blocks Release of Some Inmates as COVID-19 Spreads in Texas Jails, Prisons. The Murray Unit, a women's prison in Gatesville, reported 1,144 inmates in medical restriction Tuesday with a maximum capacity of 1,341. 39-year-old Jade Drennan, Correctional Officer IV at the Jordan Unit, died on Thursday, May 19, 2022. 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. These people have already taken the precautions to ensure that their family and their community is protected from COVID-19. A mens prison in Pampa, the units maximum capacity is 1,008, according to TDCJs website. Nobody knew about this stupid virus, but now they're making them wait longer to be out. He tested positive for COVID-19 on January 9, 2022, and was placed in quarantine. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice is grieving the loss of an employee related to the COVID-19 virus. Telfords maximum capacity is 2,872. Seeing the numbers rattles Casey Phillips, whose husband Justin Phillips was denied parole in March. Headlight flashing: What it means and is it illegal? A generic of the inside of a prison that shows two floors of cells (Spectrum News/File), As Testing Increases, Jails, Prisons Reporting More Cases of COVID-19, Gov. People do change, so they deserve the same amount of care that we get out here. 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. Lexipol. TCDJ representatives didn't elaborate on why visitation hours were canceled, though it's not an uncommon practice during high-profile escapes. What is the most visited state park in Texas? He was moved to the ICU and received a positive test result April 4. That. She had hoped to see her son this summer. All inmates in those units have been confined to their cells, Desel said. 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. In December 2019, The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles granted Gerald Vargas parole, upon completion of a six-month pre-release program. 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 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,. Abbott Sued Over Order Limiting Personal Bonds for Some Inmates. We strive daily to provide public safety, assist victims of crime, promote positive change in. Lexipol. This line will operate from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. The 33-year-old was convicted of felony drug and firearm charges. Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. They shouldnt have to worry if theyre going to die in there, Casey Phillips said. CID - TDCJ Correctional Institutions Division. So, we really haven't stopped anything. But obviously public health and the safety and the welfare of the inmates and employees are the highest priority. Houston weather: What are SPC storm risk categories, threat levels? Look for a box or option labeled Home Page (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari) or On Startup (Chrome). All rights reserved. Until further notice, please contact the unit prior to traveling for visitation.For a full list, visit: https://t.co/Q3JJdxFaGw pic.twitter.com/uWhuY49vdF. ISF - Intermediate Sanction Facility. 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