The Gregory S. Coleman Unit: Facilities and Challenges

The Gregory S. Coleman Unit is a medium-security prison located in Lockhart, Texas. It houses female inmates and has a capacity of 1,000 prisoners. The prison is named after Gregory S. Coleman, a correctional officer who was killed in the line of duty in 1999.

The Coleman Unit is one of several prisons located in the area, including the Lockhart Correctional Facility and the Travis County Correctional Complex. The facility offers a variety of programs to inmates, including educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and religious services. Additionally, the prison has a number of job assignments available for inmates, including maintenance, food service, and laundry.

The Coleman Unit has a reputation for being one of the better-run prisons in Texas, with lower rates of violence and contraband than many other facilities. However, like all prisons, it is not without its challenges. Overcrowding and understaffing are ongoing issues, and there have been concerns raised about the quality of medical care provided to inmates. Despite these challenges, the Coleman Unit continues to play an important role in the Texas criminal justice system, providing a secure and safe environment for inmates while also offering opportunities for rehabilitation and personal growth.

SecurityMedium
Capacity1,000
Physical Address1400 Industrial Blvd
Lockhart, TX 78644
Mailing Address1400 Industrial Blvd
Lockhart, TX 78644
Can You Send Gifts?No
Dress CodeYes
Phone Number(512) 398-3480 (**109)
JurisdictionMTC

History of Coleman Prison, Texas

The Coleman Unit, also known as the Gregory S. Coleman Unit, is a medium-security prison. It is located in Lockhart, Texas, within the city limits of Caldwell County. The facility is named after Gregory S. Coleman, a correctional officer who was killed in the line of duty in 1999.

The Coleman Unit was opened in 1995 and has a capacity of 1,000 inmates. It is accredited by the American Correctional Association (ACA) and offers a variety of programs to inmates, including educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and religious services. The facility also has a hospice program for terminally ill inmates.

In 2015, the Coleman Unit was the subject of controversy when it was revealed that a former warden, Stephen R. Cole, had engaged in sexual misconduct with female inmates. Cole was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for his crimes. The incident led to reforms in the TDCJ’s policies and procedures regarding sexual abuse and harassment in prisons.

The Coleman Unit is located in Caldwell County, which is named after Mathew Caldwell, a soldier and political leader who played a role in the Texas Revolution. The county was established in 1848 and its seat is in Lockhart, which is also the location of the Coleman Unit.

The Coleman Unit is part of the larger Gist State Jail Complex, which includes several other TDCJ facilities. The Gist State Jail was opened in 1995 and is named after Joe Gist, a former TDCJ executive director. The complex is located on 1,700 acres of land and has a capacity of over 5,000 inmates.

Overall, the Coleman Unit has played an important role in the Texas prison system since its opening in 1995. Despite some controversies, the facility has provided a variety of programs and services to inmates and has helped to maintain public safety in the state of Texas.

Location and Structure

The Gregory S. Coleman Unit, also known as the Coleman prison, is a correctional facility located in Lockhart, Texas. The prison is situated at 1400 Industrial Blvd, within the city limits of Lockhart, east of Hwy 20 in Caldwell County.

The Coleman prison has a maximum capacity of 1,000 inmates and is spread across 380 acres of land. The facility comprises a variety of housing units, including dormitories, cell blocks, and administrative buildings. The prison also has a medical unit, which provides healthcare services to inmates.

The Coleman prison is named after Gregory S. Coleman, a corrections officer who was killed in the line of duty in 1999. The facility was constructed in 2002, and the first inmates were received in 2004. The prison is operated by the Management and Training Corporation (MTC) under a contract with the TDCJ.

The Coleman prison is surrounded by a fence and is equipped with a variety of security features, including surveillance cameras, metal detectors, and a perimeter patrol. The facility is staffed by a team of correctional officers, administrative personnel, and medical staff who work to maintain order and provide support to inmates.

For information about visitation, visitors can call the facility or visit the facility’s website.

Overall, the Coleman prison is a secure and well-maintained correctional facility that provides housing, medical care, and other services to male inmates. The facility is an important part of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s efforts to ensure public safety and reduce recidivism rates in the state.

Associated Prisons and Units

Coleman prison is part of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system, which includes a variety of other prisons and units. Here are some of the most notable ones:

  • Allred Unit: Located in Wichita Falls, Texas, this maximum-security prison houses over 3,400 male inmates. It is named after James V. Allred, a former governor of Texas.
  • Beto Unit: This prison is located in Tennessee Colony, Texas, and is named after former TDCJ director George Beto. It houses over 3,200 male inmates and is a maximum-security facility.
  • Connally Unit: Located in Kenedy, Texas, this prison houses over 2,200 male inmates and is a maximum-security facility. It is named after former Texas Governor John Connally.
  • Estelle Unit: This prison is located in Huntsville, Texas, and is one of the oldest and largest in the TDCJ system. It houses over 2,800 male inmates and is named after former TDCJ director W.J. “Jim” Estelle.
  • Huntsville Unit: Also located in Huntsville, Texas, this prison is the oldest in the TDCJ system and houses over 1,400 male inmates. It is also known as the “Walls Unit” due to its distinctive red brick walls.

Other notable prisons and units in the TDCJ system include the Coffield Unit, the Polunsky Unit, the Ramsey Unit, and the Smith Unit. Each of these facilities has its own unique history and characteristics, but they all share the common goal of housing and rehabilitating inmates within the Texas criminal justice system.

Overall, the TDCJ system is one of the largest and most complex in the United States, with dozens of prisons and units spread across the state of Texas. While each facility has its own unique challenges and strengths, they all play an important role in maintaining public safety and upholding the rule of law in the Lone Star State.

Care and Rehabilitation

The Gregory S. Coleman Unit, located in Lockhart, Texas, is committed to providing comprehensive health care services to adult offenders incarcerated in Texas prison and state jail facilities. The unit is staffed with highly qualified medical professionals who are dedicated to ensuring that inmates receive the care they need to maintain their physical and mental health.

In addition to providing medical care, the Coleman Unit offers a range of rehabilitation programs designed to help inmates successfully re-enter society upon release. These programs include educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and counseling services. By providing inmates with the tools they need to succeed, the Coleman Unit is helping to reduce recidivism rates and make our communities safer.

The unit also offers specialized care for inmates with chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, cancer, and HIV/AIDS. Inmates with mental health issues can receive treatment from mental health professionals who are trained to work with the unique needs of the incarcerated population.

The Coleman Unit is committed to providing the highest quality of care to its inmates. All medical and mental health services are provided in accordance with national standards of care, and the unit is fully accredited by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care.

Overall, the Coleman Unit is dedicated to providing a safe and secure environment for its inmates, while also providing them with the care and resources they need to successfully re-enter society upon release.

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