The Ellis Unit is a Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison located in Walker County, Texas, United States. The prison was named after O.B. Ellis, a former director of the Texas Department of Corrections. The prison is located twelve miles north of Huntsville, Texas, and is one of the largest prisons in the state.
The Ellis Unit was established in 1965 and was originally used to house prisoners on death row. The prison remained the home of death row until 1999 when the Texas Department of Criminal Justice moved death row to the Polunsky Unit. The prison is now used to house male offenders who have been convicted of serious crimes and who are serving long sentences. Inmates at the Ellis Unit are required to participate in a variety of programs, including educational and vocational training programs, to prepare them for life after release.
The Ellis Unit has been the subject of controversy over the years, with critics alleging that the conditions at the prison are inhumane and that prisoners are often mistreated. Despite these criticisms, the prison continues to operate and is an important part of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s efforts to rehabilitate offenders and reduce recidivism.
| Security | Maximum |
| Capacity | 2,073 |
| Physical Address | 1697 FM 980 Huntsville, TX 77343 |
| 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 | (936) 295-5756 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
History of The Ellis Unit
The Ellis Unit, officially known as the O.B. Ellis Unit, is a correctional facility located in Huntsville, Texas. The prison was named after Samuel Ellis, a former slave who became a prominent landowner in the area during the late 1800s. The facility was established in 1962 and was originally intended to serve as a rehabilitation center for young offenders. However, due to overcrowding in other prisons, it was converted into a maximum-security prison in 1965.
In July 1965, the prison became the new home of death row inmates in Texas, replacing the Huntsville Unit. The electric chair, which was previously located in a building by the East Wall of the Huntsville Unit, was also moved to the Ellis Unit. The prison remained the site of Texas’ death row until 1999.
The Ellis Unit has a long and storied history. It has been the site of numerous riots and disturbances over the years, including a major riot in 1974 that resulted in the deaths of two inmates and one guard. The prison has also been the subject of criticism for its harsh conditions and overcrowding.
Despite its troubled history, the Ellis Unit remains an important part of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Today, the prison houses over 2,070 inmates and employs hundreds of staff members. The facility is accredited by the American Correctional Association and provides a range of educational and vocational programs to help inmates prepare for life after prison.
Location and Capacity
The Ellis Unit, also known as the O.B. Ellis Unit, is a male prison located in Walker County, Texas. It is situated twelve miles north of Huntsville, Texas, at 1697 FM 980, and is managed by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). The unit’s physical address is the same as its mailing address, and inmates can receive mail at this address.
The facility has a maximum capacity of 2,073 inmates and provides ambulatory medical, dental, and mental health services to its prisoners. It is a prison facility that houses male inmates and is managed by the TDCJ. The senior warden of the facility is Anthony Newton, and the regional director is Daniel Dickerson of Region I. Eric Guerrero serves as the deputy division director.
The Ellis Unit is equipped with CPAP accommodating housing, and its medical capabilities include ambulatory medical, dental, and mental health services. The facility is managed by the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), and inmates can access the clinic services during specified hours of operation.
Inmate Information
The Ellis Unit houses male inmates who are in the custody of the state of Texas. Upon admission, each inmate is assigned a Department Identification Number (DIN) that is used as an internal identifier throughout their term of commitment, regardless of which facility they are transferred to. To find an incarcerated individual, one or more of the following identifying information is required: DIN, first and last name, and date of birth.
The prison offers a variety of educational and vocational programs to help inmates improve their literacy and job skills. This includes Adult Basic Education (ABE) and General Education Development (GED) programs, as well as life skills courses such as anger management and parenting classes. These programs are designed to help inmates successfully reintegrate into society upon release.
Inmates at the Ellis Unit are classified into different custody levels based on their behavior and the level of supervision they require. Custody levels range from minimum to maximum security, with special housing units for inmates who require additional supervision and control. Inmates are regularly reviewed and reclassified as needed to ensure appropriate placement.
Overall, the Ellis Unit strives to provide a safe and secure environment for its inmates while also offering opportunities for personal growth and development.
Facilities and Operations
The Ellis Unit is a correctional facility located at 1697 FM 980 in Walker County, Texas. It is a maximum-security prison that houses male offenders. The unit has a capacity of 2,073 inmates and is under the jurisdiction of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Correctional Institutions Division (CID).
The facility has a garment factory that produces clothing items for TDCJ and other state agencies. In addition, the unit has a bus repair facility that maintains and repairs TDCJ’s fleet of buses. The computer maintenance technicians at the Ellis Unit provide technical support for TDCJ’s computer systems.
The Ellis Unit is also involved in agricultural operations, including a cow/calf operation, edible and field crops, a cotton gin, and an egg-laying operation. The unit has a farm shop where offenders can learn skills such as cabinetmaking, manufacturing, and logistics operations.
The horticulture program at the Ellis Unit provides offenders with the opportunity to learn about plant propagation and cultivation. The unit’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) program trains offenders in HVAC installation and repair.
The unit has a trusty camp where low-risk offenders can work outside the perimeter fence under minimal supervision. The trusty camp provides labor for various operations, including the chair factory and the swine farrowing/nursery/finishing operations.
Ellis Unit employs guards to maintain security and ensure the safety of staff and offenders. The unit also has security horses and security pack canines that are trained to detect contraband and assist in perimeter patrols.
In conclusion, Ellis Unit is a well-equipped correctional facility that provides various vocational and educational opportunities for offenders. The unit’s facilities and operations are designed to promote rehabilitation and prepare offenders for reentry into society.
Educational and Vocational Programs
The Ellis Unit provides a variety of educational and vocational programs to help inmates acquire literacy and marketable skills, so they can obtain employment after release. These programs include literacy classes, English as a Second Language, parenting classes, wellness education, adult continuing education, library services, and instruction in leisure-time activities.
The prison also offers a range of career and technology programs, such as refrigeration, welding, and carpentry. These programs are designed to teach inmates about general employment skills or skills needed for specific jobs and industries. Inmates who participate in vocational training programs have a significantly higher chance of obtaining employment following their release from prison.
The prison has a special education program for inmates with disabilities. The program is designed to meet the unique needs of inmates with disabilities and help them acquire the skills they need to succeed after release.
The Ellis Unit also offers cognitive intervention programs to help inmates develop the skills they need to make better decisions and avoid criminal behavior. These programs use evidence-based practices to help inmates develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
In addition to educational and vocational programs, The Ellis Unit provides a range of additional services to help inmates prepare for release. These services include peer education, reentry planning, and chaplaincy services. Inmates who participate in these programs have a higher chance of successfully reintegrating into society after their release.
Overall, the Ellis Unit provides a range of educational and vocational programs to help inmates acquire the skills they need to succeed after release. These programs are designed to meet the unique needs of each inmate and provide them with the tools they need to succeed in life.