Tucker Unit is a correctional facility located in Jefferson County, Arkansas. It is one of the state’s “parent units” for male prisoners, serving as one of several units of initial assignment for processed male inmates.
The facility houses minimum to medium custody-level inmates and can hold approximately 610 inmates at any given time.
Inmates incarcerated in Tucker Unit have access to a variety of programs, including educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and religious services.
The Arkansas Department of Correction provides fair, firm, consistent, and superior correctional services for Arkansas, and Tucker Unit is no exception. The facility employs over 200 staff members who work diligently to ensure the safety and security of both inmates and staff.
The facility has a Maximum Security Unit constructed a short distance north of the Tucker Unit in 1983. The DOC publishes the names of their current inmates and identifies which of their locations the inmate is being held.
Family and friends of inmates can visit during designated visiting hours and communicate with them through mail and inmate phones.
| Security | Mixed |
| Capacity | 612 |
| Physical Address | 2400 State Farm Rd, Tucker, AR 72168 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 240, Tucker, AR 72168-0240 |
| Can You Send a Gift? | No |
| Visitation Hours | Saturday and Sunday: 11:30 am – 1:30 pm, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | 501-842-2519 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
Location and History
Geography
The Tucker Unit is a maximum security prison and working farm located in Tucker, Arkansas, in Jefferson County.
It covers an area of 4,500 acres and is roughly twenty-five miles northeast of Pine Bluff, the county seat of Jefferson County. The prison is situated in Dudley Lake Township, an unincorporated community in the county.
The land at the Tucker Unit is primarily used to farm rice and soybeans. Additionally, the unit houses a campus of the Riverside Vocational Technical School.
History
The Tucker Unit, often referred to simply as Tucker or Tucker prison farm, is one of 13 prison units in the Arkansas Department of Correction.
Education in the Tucker Unit began in 1968 when the England School District started a night program. The unit has a long history, and a Maximum Security Unit was constructed a short distance north of the Tucker Unit in 1983.
The Tucker Unit has been the site of several notable incidents over the years. In 1997, a riot broke out at the prison, resulting in the death of one inmate and injuries to several others. In 2017, two inmates escaped from the Tucker Unit, leading to a manhunt that lasted several days.
Despite these incidents, the Tucker Unit has also been the site of positive developments. In recent years, the prison has implemented several programs aimed at reducing recidivism and helping inmates prepare for life after release. These programs include vocational training, counseling, and educational opportunities.
Overall, the Tucker Unit remains an important part of the Arkansas Department of Correction, providing a secure and structured environment for inmates while also contributing to the local economy through its farming operations.
Facilities and Programs
The Tucker Unit is a correctional facility that provides various programs to inmates to help them improve their lives. Some of these programs include education, work, and substance abuse treatment programs.
The facility has several housing units that cater to different security levels.
Housing Units
The Tucker Unit has several housing units, including the East, West, and South units.
The East unit is a maximum-security unit that houses inmates with the highest security risk.
The West unit is a medium-security unit that houses inmates with a lower security risk.
The South unit is a minimum-security unit that houses inmates who are close to being released.
Education Programs
The Tucker Unit provides education programs to inmates to help them improve their literacy skills.
The facility offers a GED program that allows inmates to earn their high school equivalency diplomas. The education programs are administered by the Riverside Vocational Technical School.
Work Programs
The Tucker Unit provides various work programs to inmates to help them develop vocational skills.
The facility has several agriculture programs, including field and vegetable crops, garden operations, and a bee hive.
The facility also has a mattress manufacturing program, a furniture refinishing program, a fire truck refurbishing program, and an athletic equipment program. Inmates can also participate in metal fabrication, auto body, and chair manufacturing programs.
Substance Abuse Programs
The Tucker Unit provides substance abuse treatment programs to inmates who struggle with addiction.
The facility offers a Substance Abuse Therapeutic Community Program and a PAWS in Prison Program.
The Substance Abuse Therapeutic Community Program is a long-term residential program that provides counseling and therapy to inmates. The PAWS in Prison Program allows inmates to train and care for dogs.
Visitation
The Tucker Unit allows inmates to have visitation with their friends and family members. Visitors must follow specific guidelines, including dress code and behavior rules.
The facility also has a Think Legacy Program and a Pre-Release Program to help inmates prepare for their release.
Communication
Communication is an essential part of maintaining relationships with loved ones who are incarcerated.
Tucker Unit offers several communication options for inmates to stay in touch with their friends and family.
Phone Calls
Inmates at Tucker Unit have access to phones in their housing units during designated hours. Phone calls are limited to 15 minutes per call, and inmates must have funds in their commissary account to make calls. Calls may be monitored and recorded for security purposes.
It is important to note that Tucker Unit was once known for its use of the “Tucker Telephone,” a torture device used on inmates. However, this device has not been used since the 1970s, and the prison now follows strict guidelines for inmate communication.
Inmates at Tucker Unit may send and receive mail. All incoming mail is opened and inspected for contraband, and outgoing mail may be inspected as well.
Mail should be addressed to the inmate’s full name and ADC number, and sent to the following address:
- P.O. Box 240, Tucker, AR 72168-0240
Tucker Unit does not offer email services for inmates.
Sending Money
Friends and family members may send money to inmates at Tucker Unit through the Arkansas.gov website or by mail.
To send money online, visit the Arkansas.gov website and follow the instructions.
To send money by mail, send a money order to the following address:
- Inmate Trust Fund
- P.O. Box 8908
- Pine Bluff, AR 71611
It is important to note that inmates may use funds in their commissary account to purchase phone time, hygiene items, and snacks.
Spouse of an Inmate
Spouses of inmates at Tucker Unit may visit their loved ones during designated visitation hours. It is recommended to check the prison’s website or call ahead to confirm visitation times and any restrictions.