Huntsville Unit - Correctional Institution Texas
Overview of the Facility
The Huntsville Unit, also known as "The Walls," is a maximum-security prison for men located in Huntsville, Texas. It is the oldest Texas state prison and serves as the headquarters of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). The unit is notable for housing Texas's execution chamber, where death row inmates are executed by lethal injection.
Contact Information
Address: 815 12th Street, Huntsville, TX 77348
Phone Number: (936) 437-1555
Website: https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/unit_directory/hv.html
How to Locate an Inmate
To locate an inmate at the Huntsville Unit, use the TDCJ Offender Information Search tool available on their website: https://offender.tdcj.texas.gov/OffenderSearch/index.jsp
Visitation Information and Hours
Visitation days: Saturdays and Sundays
Visitation hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Visitors must arrive no later than 3:30 PM to be processed for visitation.
How to Send Money
Inmates can receive money through several methods:
- Online: JPay
- Phone: 1-800-574-5729
- MoneyGram: Use receive 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 unit.
Inmate Services and Programs
The Huntsville Unit offers various programs including:
- Educational programs
- Vocational training
- Substance abuse treatment
- Religious services
- Work programs
History of the Facility
Established in 1849, the Huntsville Unit is the oldest state prison in Texas. It began operations in 1851 and has been in continuous use since then. The unit has played a significant role in Texas's criminal justice system, including being the site of all executions in the state since 1924.
Security and Management Information
As a maximum-security facility, the Huntsville Unit employs strict security measures. It is managed by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and houses male inmates of various security classifications.
Legal and Visitation Rights
Inmates have the right to legal counsel and can receive visits from their attorneys. Family and friends can visit during designated visitation hours, subject to TDCJ policies and restrictions.
Booking and Release Process
New inmates are processed through the Huntsville Unit's intake department. Upon release, inmates are typically discharged from this unit, regardless of where they served their sentence within the TDCJ system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What items can I bring to visitation?
Visitors are allowed to bring up to $25 in quarters for vending machines. No other items are permitted in the visitation area.
How often can inmates receive visits?
General population inmates can receive one visit per weekend, either Saturday or Sunday, for up to two hours.
Are death row inmates housed at the Huntsville Unit?
No, death row inmates are not housed at the Huntsville Unit. They are transferred here only for execution.
Famous Prisoners
- Charles Harrelson - Father of actor Woody Harrelson, sentenced for the murder of a federal judge.
- David Ruíz - Filed a lawsuit that led to a major overhaul of the Texas prison system.
- Kenneth McDuff - Serial killer known as "The Broomstick Killer," executed in 1998.
- Cameron Todd Willingham - Executed in 2004 for arson that killed his children, case remains controversial.
- Karla Faye Tucker - First woman executed in Texas since the Civil War, in 1998.
- Gary Graham - Executed in 2000, case sparked debate about juvenile offenders and racial bias.
- Raymond Hamilton - Member of the Barrow Gang with Bonnie and Clyde, executed in 1935.
- Clyde Thompson - Known as the "Meanest Man in Texas," later became a minister.
- Duane "Dog" Chapman - Later became a bounty hunter and reality TV star.
- David Spence - Executed in 1997, case involved claims of false testimony and withheld evidence.
