The Cotulla Unit is a state prison located less than one mile east of Cotulla on FM 624 in LaSalle County, Texas. The facility is operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and has a capacity of 606 male inmates. The prison’s Senior Warden is John Cirone, and the Regional Director is David Blackwell, Region IV.
The Cotulla Unit is a medium-security prison that houses inmates who have been convicted of a range of offenses, including drug-related crimes, assault, and robbery. The facility also offers vocational and educational programs to help inmates acquire skills that will be useful upon their release. The prison’s primary mission is to provide a safe and secure environment for both inmates and staff while also promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism rates.
The Cotulla Unit is just one of many state prisons operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The agency is responsible for the confinement, supervision, and rehabilitation of approximately 140,000 inmates across the state. The Cotulla Unit, along with other state prisons, plays an important role in the criminal justice system by providing a secure and controlled environment for inmates while also working to reduce crime and promote public safety.
| Security | Medium |
| Capacity | 606 |
| Physical Address | 610 FM 624 Cotulla, TX 78014 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 660400 Dallas, TX 75266-0400 |
| Can You Send Gifts? | No |
| Visitation Hours | Saturday and Sunday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (830) 879-3077 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
General Information
The Cotulla Unit is a correctional facility operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The facility is located in LaSalle County, Texas, and houses adult male inmates. The facility has a capacity of 606 inmates and is classified as a medium custody facility.
Location
The Cotulla Unit is located at 610 FM 624, Cotulla, TX 78014. The facility is situated less than one mile east of Cotulla on FM 624.
Contact Information
The facility can be reached at (830) 879-3077. The unit directory provides contact information for other facilities operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Custody Levels Housed
The Cotulla Unit houses medium custody inmates. Medium custody inmates are those who have committed crimes that are not considered to be the most serious, but who still pose a moderate risk to the public.
Approximate Acreage
The approximate acreage of the Cotulla prison facility is not publicly available. However, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice provides information about the approximate acreage of other facilities on its website.
Inmates at the facility are required to follow a strict set of rules and regulations. The offender orientation handbook provides information about the rules and regulations that inmates must follow while incarcerated at the Cotulla Unit. The handbook is designed to provide the offender population with general information along with a standard for acceptable behavior.
Overall, the Cotulla Unit is a medium custody facility that houses adult male inmates. The facility provides inmates with access to educational and vocational programs, as well as medical and mental health services.
Facility Operations
The Cotulla Unit is a correctional institution that provides various services to its inmates. The facility operations include agricultural operations, unit gardening, manufacturing and logistics operations, and unit maintenance.
Agricultural Operations
The Cotulla Unit has a farming operation that produces crops such as corn and cotton. The farming operation provides inmates with the opportunity to learn new skills and earn money by working in the fields. The crops are sold to local markets, and the profits are used to fund the prison’s operations.
Unit Garden
The Cotulla Unit has a unit garden where inmates can grow their own vegetables. The garden provides inmates with fresh produce, and it also teaches them valuable skills such as gardening and sustainability. The garden is maintained by the inmates, and the produce is used in the prison’s kitchen.
Manufacturing and Logistics Operations
The Cotulla Unit has a manufacturing and logistics operation that provides inmates with the opportunity to learn new skills and earn money by working in a warehouse environment. The operation produces various products such as furniture and clothing, which are sold to local markets. The profits are used to fund the prison’s operations.
Unit Maintenance
The Cotulla Unit has a unit maintenance operation that is responsible for maintaining the facility. The operation includes various tasks such as plumbing, electrical work, and general repairs. The maintenance operation provides inmates with the opportunity to learn new skills and earn money by working in a trade environment.
In conclusion, the Cotulla Unit’s facility operations provide inmates with the opportunity to learn new skills and earn money by working in various environments. The operations also help fund the prison’s operations by selling products and crops to local markets.
Inmate Information
The Cotulla Unit is a correctional facility managed by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). The facility is located at 610 FM 624, Cotulla, TX 78014, and is under the supervision of Senior Warden John Cirone. The facility houses male inmates who are incarcerated for various offenses. In this section, we will discuss the inmate capacity and transient population of the facility.
Capacity
The Cotulla Unit has a capacity of 606 inmates. The facility is a minimum-security prison that houses offenders who have a custody level of G1, G2, or G3. The custody level is determined based on the severity of the offense committed and the inmate’s behavior while incarcerated. The inmates at the Cotulla Unit are typically low-risk offenders who are nearing the end of their sentence.
Transient
The Cotulla Unit is a transient facility that houses inmates who are awaiting transfer to another facility. The facility serves as a hub for the TDCJ transfer system, and inmates are often moved to other facilities across the state. The transient population at the Cotulla Unit is typically made up of inmates who have completed their sentence or are nearing the end of their sentence.
In conclusion, the Cotulla Unit is a minimum-security facility that houses low-risk offenders. The facility has a capacity of 1,000 inmates and serves as a hub for the TDCJ transfer system. Inmates at the facility are typically nearing the end of their sentence and are awaiting transfer to another facility.
Educational and Rehabilitation Programs
The Cotulla Unit offers a variety of educational and rehabilitation programs to help inmates develop life skills, improve their literacy, and prepare for re-entry into society. These programs are designed to provide inmates with the necessary tools to become productive members of society upon their release.
Life Skills Courses
The prison offers a range of life skills courses that help inmates develop the skills they need to succeed in the outside world. These courses cover topics such as financial management, job readiness, and interpersonal communication. Inmates can also receive training in vocational skills such as welding, carpentry, and auto mechanics.
Adult Basic Education and GED Classes
The prison provides adult basic education and GED classes to help inmates improve their literacy and earn their high school equivalency diploma. These classes are taught by certified instructors and cover a range of subjects, including math, science, social studies, and language arts. Inmates can also receive one-on-one tutoring to help them improve their skills.
Substance Abuse Education
The prison offers substance abuse education programs to help inmates overcome addiction and develop healthy coping mechanisms. These programs are designed to help inmates understand the causes and consequences of addiction, as well as the steps they can take to recover.
Additional Programs and Services
In addition to the programs listed above, the prison offers a range of additional programs and services to help inmates prepare for re-entry into society. These include:
- CHANGES/Pre-Release: A program designed to help inmates develop the skills they need to successfully reintegrate into society.
- Cognitive Intervention: A program that helps inmates identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors.
- Library Services: Inmates have access to a wide range of books and other reading materials to help them improve their literacy and develop new skills.
- Wellness Education: Inmates can participate in wellness education programs to help them improve their physical and mental health.
Overall, the educational and rehabilitation programs offered at The Cotulla Unit provide inmates with the tools they need to succeed upon their release. By developing life skills, improving their literacy, and overcoming addiction, inmates can increase their chances of finding employment and living productive, fulfilling lives.
Medical Services
The Cotulla Unit provides medical services to its inmates through the Correctional Managed Health Care Program. The program is responsible for providing ambulatory medical, dental, and mental health services to the inmates. The program is managed by the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) and is fully staffed with medical professionals.
Ambulatory Medical
The Cotulla Unit provides ambulatory medical services to its inmates. Medical care is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The prison has a fully staffed 13-bed infirmary, which includes two mental health observation cells. The infirmary is equipped to provide medical care for inmates with chronic and acute medical conditions.
The prison also offers educational programs to inmates to help them improve their literacy skills. The programs include Adult Basic Education and GED programs. These programs help inmates improve their reading, writing, and math skills.
Dental Services
The Cotulla Unit provides dental services to its inmates. The dental services are provided by licensed dentists and dental hygienists. The prison has a dental clinic that is equipped with modern dental equipment, including digital radiography and intraoral cameras.
The dental clinic provides routine dental care, including cleanings, fillings, and extractions. The clinic also provides emergency dental care for inmates who experience dental pain or trauma.
Overall, the Cotulla Unit provides comprehensive medical services to its inmates, including ambulatory medical and dental services. The prison is committed to providing high-quality medical care to its inmates and works closely with UTMB to ensure that the medical care is consistent with accepted community standards.
Visitation Information
Visiting an inmate at the Cotulla Unit is possible, but there are strict rules and regulations that visitors must follow. The following sub-sections provide important information about visiting hours and visiting rules.
Visiting Hours
Visiting hours at the Cotulla Unit are on Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Visitors must arrive at least 30 minutes before the end of the visiting hours to be allowed in. It is important to note that the prison may cancel visitation due to security reasons or other unforeseen circumstances.
Visitors should check the TDCJ Visitation website to confirm visiting hours before traveling to the prison. The website provides a unit visitation schedule showing unit names and visiting hours for each type of visit.
Visiting Rules
Visitors must follow strict rules and regulations when visiting an inmate at the Cotulla Unit. Failure to comply with these rules may result in the cancellation of the visit or even criminal charges.
Some of the important visiting rules include:
- Visitors must be on the inmate’s approved visitation list.
- Visitors must present valid photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport.
- Visitors must pass a security check before being allowed to enter the prison.
- Visitors are not allowed to bring any items into the visitation area, including cell phones, purses, and bags.
- Visitors must dress appropriately, with no revealing clothing or gang-related attire.
- Visitors must not engage in any physical contact with the inmate, including handshakes, hugs, or kisses.
- Visitors must not bring any gifts or money for the inmate.
It is important to note that the prison may have additional rules and regulations that visitors must follow. Visitors should check the TDCJ Visitation website for a complete list of rules and regulations before visiting the prison.
In conclusion, visiting an inmate in the Cotulla Unit is possible, but visitors must follow strict rules and regulations. It is important to check the TDCJ Visitation website for visiting hours and rules before traveling to the prison.