The Sanders “Sandy” Estes Unit, commonly known as the Estes Unit, is a correctional facility located in Venus, Texas. The facility houses male offenders and has a capacity of 1,040 inmates. The unit is accredited by the American Correctional Association (ACA) and provides various educational and vocational programs to help offenders reintegrate into society.
The Estes Unit has a long history, dating back to 1989 when it was established as a privately operated correctional facility. The facility has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years, including the addition of a new medical unit and a new dormitory. The prison also has a specialized program for offenders with intellectual disabilities.
Despite its accreditation and various programs, the Estes Unit has faced criticism and controversy over the years. In 2015, a report by the Texas Civil Rights Project cited numerous issues at the facility, including inadequate medical care and poor living conditions.
| Security | Mixed |
| Capacity | 1,040 |
| Physical Address | 1100 FM 1807, Venus, TX 76084 |
| 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 | (972) 366-3334 |
| Jurisdiction | MTC |
Historical Overview
The Estes Unit, also known as the Sanders Estes Unit or the Sanders ‘Sandy’ Estes Unit, is a correctional facility located in Venus, Texas. The prison was named after Sanders Estes, a former warden of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
The Estes Unit was constructed in 1989 and began housing inmates in 1991. The prison has a capacity of 1,040 inmates.
Over the years, the Estes Unit has been the site of several incidents, including assaults on staff and inmates, and inmate suicides. In 2002, the prison was the subject of a lawsuit filed by the family of an inmate who died in custody. The lawsuit alleged that the inmate had been denied medical care and that his death was the result of negligence on the part of the prison staff.
In 2015, the Estes Unit was renamed the Grady Wallace Unit in honor of a former TDCJ executive director. The decision to rename the facility was controversial, with some arguing that it was inappropriate to name a prison after someone who had never worked in corrections.
Despite its troubled history, the Estes Unit continues to operate as a correctional facility. The prison provides a range of programs and services to inmates, including education and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and religious services.
Location and Infrastructure
The Sanders “Sandy” Estes Unit is located in Venus, Texas, in Johnson County. The unit is situated approximately one mile southeast of Venus on Highway 1807. The facility is a mixed-security prison that houses male inmates. The Estes Unit’s senior warden is Grady Wallace, and the deputy director of operations is Tara Burson. The Private Facility Contract Monitoring/Oversight Division Director is David Sweetin.
The Estes Unit is a large facility that spans over 169 acres and has a capacity of 1,040 inmates. The unit houses mixed-security inmates and has a variety of programs to help rehabilitate offenders. The facility has a medical unit that provides medical, dental, and mental health services to inmates.
The Estes Unit has a variety of buildings and facilities to support its operations. The facility has a visitation center, a chapel, a gymnasium, and a recreation yard. The unit also has a commissary where inmates can purchase items such as food, toiletries, and clothing. The facility has a laundry room where inmates can wash their clothes.
The Estes Unit is equipped with a variety of security features to ensure the safety of both inmates and staff. The facility has a perimeter fence and a patrol road that surrounds the unit. The facility also has a surveillance system that monitors the premises 24/7. The unit has a variety of security staff, including correctional officers, sergeants, and lieutenants, who work to maintain order and safety within the facility.
Overall, the Estes Unit is a well-maintained and secure facility that is designed to provide a safe and secure environment for both inmates and staff. The unit’s location in Johnson County, Texas, provides easy access to the surrounding community, making it easier for inmates to maintain contact with their families and loved ones.
Inmate Profile
The Estes prison is a mixed-security facility operated by the MTC and houses male inmates. Typically, inmates at Estes are serving sentences ranging from 5 to 99 years for various crimes, including drug offenses, assault, and murder.
Inmates at Estes are provided with basic necessities, such as food, clothing, and medical care. They can also participate in various educational and vocational programs to help them acquire new skills and prepare for their eventual release. Inmates can also receive mail from their loved ones, but they must follow strict guidelines regarding the content and format of the letters.
Family and friends of inmates can use the TDCJ Inmate Search tool to find information about their loved ones, including their current location, sentence length, and projected release date. Inmates can also provide their mailing addresses to their friends and family so that they can send letters and packages.
It is important to note that inmates at Estes are subject to strict rules and regulations, and any violation can result in disciplinary action. Inmates are expected to behave appropriately and follow the rules to avoid any additional time added to their sentences.
Overall, the Estes Unit provides a secure and structured environment for inmates to serve their sentences and prepare for their eventual release.
Educational and Skill Development Programs
The Estes Unit offers a variety of educational and skill development programs to help inmates prepare for life after release. These programs are designed to help inmates develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the workforce and in their personal lives.
Academic Programs
Estes offers several academic programs, including GED preparation, Adult Basic Education, and college courses through Hill College. These programs are designed to help inmates improve their reading, writing, and math skills, as well as earn a high school equivalency diploma or college credit.
Trade Skills
In addition to academic programs, the Estes Unit offers a range of trade skills training programs. These programs are designed to help inmates develop practical skills that can be used in a variety of industries. Some of the trade skills training programs available at Estes include:
- Culinary Arts: Inmates can learn how to prepare and cook meals, as well as develop skills in food service and management.
- Electrical Trade: Inmates can learn how to install, repair, and maintain electrical systems, as well as develop skills in wiring and circuitry.
- Building Trades: Inmates can learn how to construct buildings and structures, as well as develop skills in carpentry, masonry, and other building trades.
- Plumbing: Inmates can learn how to install, repair, and maintain plumbing systems, as well as develop skills in water supply and drainage.
Overall, the educational and skill development programs at the Estes Unit are designed to help inmates develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the workforce and in their personal lives. By participating in these programs, inmates can improve their chances of finding employment and successfully reintegrating into society after release.
Visitor Information
The Sanders “Sandy” Estes Unit is a Texas Department of Criminal Justice facility that allows visitors to see their loved ones who are incarcerated. Visitors must follow the rules and regulations set by the facility to ensure the safety and security of everyone involved.
Visitors
Visitors must be on the inmate’s approved visitation list before they can visit. Visitors who are not on the list will not be allowed to enter the facility. To be added to the list, visitors must fill out an application and submit it to the facility for approval. The application can be downloaded from the TDCJ website or obtained from the unit. Visitors must provide valid identification and pass a background check before they can be added to the list.
Visitors are required to follow a dress code when visiting the facility. The dress code is strictly enforced and visitors who do not comply will not be allowed to enter the facility. Visitors should wear modest clothing that covers the entire body, including the legs and arms. Shorts, skirts, and dresses must be knee-length or longer. Visitors should not wear revealing or provocative clothing, including low-cut tops, tank tops, or clothing with offensive language or graphics.
Visiting Hours
Visiting hours at the Estes Unit are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Visitors are allowed to arrive at the facility up to one hour before the start of visiting hours. Visitors who arrive before the start of visiting hours must wait in their vehicle until the gates open.
Visitors are allowed to bring a clear plastic bag containing a small amount of personal items, including identification, car keys, and cash. Visitors are not allowed to bring food, drinks, or any other items into the facility. The facility provides vending machines where visitors can purchase snacks and drinks.
Overall, visitors should be prepared to follow the rules and regulations set by the facility when visiting the unit. By doing so, visitors can ensure a safe and enjoyable visit with their loved ones who are incarcerated.
Community Involvement
The Estes Unit recognizes the importance of community involvement in the rehabilitation of offenders. Community service is an integral part of the prison’s reentry program, allowing offenders to give back to the community while also gaining valuable skills and work experience. Offenders may participate in a variety of community service projects, such as cleaning up parks and public spaces, assisting at local events, and working at local food banks.
In addition to community service, the Estes Unit also partners with the local animal shelter to provide offenders with the opportunity to work with animals. Animal-assisted therapy has been shown to have numerous benefits for offenders, including reduced stress and anxiety, increased empathy, and improved social skills. Offenders may participate in a variety of activities at the animal shelter, such as walking and grooming dogs, cleaning cages, and assisting with adoptions.
The Estes Unit also recognizes the importance of community involvement in the reentry process. The prison partners with local businesses and organizations to provide job training and employment opportunities for offenders. These partnerships not only benefit the offenders but also the community as a whole by reducing recidivism and improving public safety.
Overall, community involvement is an important aspect of the Estes Unit’s reentry program. By providing offenders with opportunities to give back to the community and gain valuable skills and work experience, the prison is helping to ensure their successful reintegration into society.
Safety and Security Measures
The Estes Unit takes the safety and security of its inmates, staff, and visitors seriously. The prison has implemented various measures to ensure that everyone on the premises is safe and secure.
The Department of Corrections oversees the safety and security of all prisons in the state, and Estes is no exception. The prison follows all the guidelines and regulations set forth by the Department of Corrections to ensure that the safety and security of everyone on the premises are maintained.
One of the measures implemented by the Estes Unit to ensure safety is the use of security cameras. The prison has installed security cameras in various locations throughout the facility to monitor the activities of inmates and staff. The cameras are monitored 24/7 by trained personnel to ensure that any suspicious activity is detected and addressed promptly.
The prison also has a strict policy on the use of contraband. Inmates are not allowed to possess any items that are not authorized by the prison. The prison has implemented various measures to detect and prevent the introduction of contraband into the facility, including random searches of inmates and their belongings.
Probation officers also play a role in ensuring the safety and security of the prison. They work closely with the prison staff to monitor the behavior of inmates who are on probation. The probation officers help to identify any potential security risks and work with the prison staff to address them promptly.
Overall, the Estes Unit has implemented various measures to ensure the safety and security of everyone on the premises. The prison follows all the guidelines and regulations set forth by the Department of Corrections and works closely with probation officers to monitor the behavior of inmates. The use of security cameras and strict policies on contraband also help to maintain a safe and secure environment for everyone in the prison.