Inmate Guide: Allan B. Polunsky Unit (Texas)
Overview of the Facility
The Allan B. Polunsky Unit, formerly known as the Terrell Unit, is a maximum-security prison located in West Livingston, Texas. It is operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and is notorious for housing male inmates on death row.
Contact Information
Address: 3872 FM 350 South, Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: (936) 967-8082
Website: https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/unit_directory/pn.html
How to Locate an Inmate
To locate an inmate at the Allan B. Polunsky Unit, you can use the TDCJ Offender Information Search tool available on their website: https://offender.tdcj.texas.gov/OffenderSearch/index.jsp
Visitation Information and Hours
Visitation hours are typically on Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Death row inmates have non-contact visits, while general population inmates may have contact visits. Visitors must be on the inmate's approved visitation list and follow strict dress code and identification requirements.
How to Send Money
Money can be sent to inmates through various methods:
- Online: JPay
- Phone: 1-800-574-5729
- MoneyGram: Use code 3368
- Mail: Send money orders to Inmate Trust Fund, TDCJ, P.O. Box 60, Huntsville, TX 77342-0060
Phone Calls and Video Options
Inmates can make collect calls or use prepaid phone accounts. Video visitation is not available at this facility.
Inmate Services and Programs
The Polunsky Unit offers limited programs due to its high-security nature, but may include:
- Educational programs
- Religious services
- Mental health services
- Law library access
History of the Facility
The unit was opened in November 1993 and was originally named the Terrell Unit. In July 2001, it was renamed after Allan B. Polunsky, a former chairman of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice. The facility became the primary location for male death row inmates in Texas in 1999.
Security and Management Information
As a maximum-security prison, the Polunsky Unit employs stringent security measures, including armed guards, surveillance systems, and restricted movement for inmates. Death row inmates are typically confined to their cells for 23 hours a day.
Legal and Visitation Rights
Inmates have the right to legal counsel and can receive visits from their attorneys. Family and friends must be on the approved visitation list and follow all rules and regulations set by the TDCJ.
Booking and Release Process
Inmates are typically transferred to the Polunsky Unit from other facilities. The release process for death row inmates involves transfer to the Huntsville Unit for execution, while other inmates may be released or transferred based on their sentences and behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Allan B. Polunsky Unit known for?
The Allan B. Polunsky Unit is primarily known for housing male death row inmates in Texas. It is a maximum-security prison with some of the most stringent security measures in the state.
Are there any special visitation rules for death row inmates?
Yes, death row inmates at the Polunsky Unit have non-contact visits, meaning they are separated from visitors by a glass partition and communicate through phones.
How often can inmates make phone calls?
The frequency of phone calls depends on the inmate's custody level and behavior. Death row inmates typically have more restricted phone access compared to general population inmates.
Is the Polunsky Unit the only death row facility in Texas?
The Polunsky Unit is the primary facility for male death row inmates in Texas. Female death row inmates are housed at the Mountain View Unit in Gatesville, Texas.
Can inmates receive books or magazines?
Yes, inmates can receive books and magazines, but they must be sent directly from approved vendors or publishers. Personal packages are not allowed.
Famous Prisoners
- Tommy Lynn Sells - Serial killer convicted of multiple murders across the United States.
- Rolando Ruiz - Contract killer executed in 2017 for a murder-for-hire plot.
- George Rivas - Leader of the "Texas 7" prison escape, later executed for killing a police officer.
- Angel Maturino Resendiz - Known as the "Railroad Killer," convicted of multiple murders near railroad tracks.
- Cesar Fierro - Convicted of murder in 1980, spent 40 years on death row before his sentence was commuted.
- Joseph Garcia - Member of the "Texas 7" gang, executed in 2018 for his role in a police officer's death.
- Humberto Leal Garcia - Convicted of rape and murder, his case gained international attention due to issues of consular notification.
- Elroy Chester - Serial killer executed in 2013 for multiple murders in Port Arthur, Texas.
- Suzanne Basso - One of the few women to be executed in Texas, convicted of torturing and killing a mentally disabled man.
- Travis Runnels
