Garza West Unit Everything You Need To Know About Garza West

Garza West Unit is a mixed medium security prison located on 304 acres of land in Bee County, Texas. The facility houses adult male inmates ranging from minimum G1 to medium G3 security levels as well as transient custody levels. The Garza West Unit can hold up to 2,278 inmates and is responsible for the initial intake of inmates from the surrounding region into the Texas Department of Corrections after their sentence is decided.

During the intake process, inmates undergo a variety of tests and assessments, including a substance abuse screening. After the intake process is complete, inmates are assigned a security classification, and if their classification is high, they may be transferred to a long-term commitment facility that best suits their rehabilitation needs. The facility is co-located with the Garza East Unit, which was originally called Chase Field East Unit when it opened in 1994. Garza East, like Garza West, was a transfer unit for minimum and medium security inmates but closed down in 2020.

The Garza West Unit is named after Raul “Rudy” Garza, Sr., who was a Beeville city council member that worked at the Chase Field Industrial Complex for many years. The prison employs a total of 401 employees, including 311 security employees, 81 non-security employees, 9 Windham education employees, 42 contracts medical, and five mental health employees. The facility is operated under the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and opened in May 1994, remaining functional to this day.

The Garza West Unit is located on the grounds of Chase Field Industrial Complex, formerly called Naval Air Station Chase Field, a former naval air station. The TDCJ operates a group of facilities on the grounds of the former air station, collectively referred to as the Chase Field Criminal Justice Center. These facilities include the Correctional Institutions Division Region IV Office, two transfer facilities (Garza East Unit, which is now defunct, and Garza West Unit), and the Beeville Distribution Center.

Garza West Unit is a significant facility in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) system. It is responsible for the initial intake of inmates from the surrounding region and houses adult male inmates ranging from minimum G1 to medium G3 security levels. The facility underwent a variety of tests and assessments during the intake process, including a substance abuse screening. The Garza West Unit can hold up to 2,278 inmates and employs a total of 401 employees, including security, non-security, education, medical, and mental health employees. The facility is located on the grounds of Chase Field Industrial Complex, a former naval air station, which is now the Chase Field Criminal Justice Center, consisting of several TDCJ facilities.

  • Rehabilitation facilities at Garza West Unit
  • Visiting Hours of Garza West Unit
  • What type of facilities is available at the Garza West Unit?
  • Is the Garza West Unit dangerous?
  • How do we search inmates in the Garza West Unit?
  • How to contact the Garza West Unit?

Rehabilitation facilities at Garza West Unit

At Garza West Unit, inmates have the opportunity to improve their education and job skills during their incarceration. The facility offers classes for adult literacy and basic education, and inmates can obtain their GED while serving their sentence.

In addition to educational opportunities, vocational training is also available in plumbing, repair, and maintenance. The facility’s maintenance operations provide work opportunities for inmates, including agricultural operations like gardening, regional pest control, and caring for security pack canines.

Garza West Unit is a transfer facility, so inmates do not stay for long before being transferred to a permanent institution. However, off-site medical, mental health, and dental services are available to all inmates during their stay.

Windham School District (WSD) provides educational services at Garza West Unit. Although WSD is a separate entity from TDCJ, it operates in prisons under TDCJ. Inmates start at the level of an American sixth-grader and can progress to adult secondary education and prepare for the GED test.

The Garza West Unit provides inmates with opportunities for education and vocational training, which can help them re-enter society with improved job prospects and reduce recidivism rates.

Visiting Hours of Garza West Unit

The Garza West Unit is a correctional facility that allows inmates to receive visits from individuals listed on their approved visitation list. This list is created by the inmate upon their arrival and can be updated periodically. Inmates housed within the general population of the Garza West Unit are permitted to receive visits from Friday to Sunday, between the hours of 7 am and 5 pm. It is important to note that inmates who are in the process of being transferred out may not be permitted to receive visitors.

The standard duration of a visit at the Garza West Unit is two hours, though this time frame may be shortened if the facility is overcrowded or if unexpected circumstances arise. Before visitors are allowed to meet with the inmate, they undergo a thorough search, including their vehicles if they have driven onto the facility grounds. Canine units may be used during the search process.

To gain entry to the facility, visitors must have valid identification such as a state ID, passport, or driver’s license. However, if someone is traveling from over 300 miles away to visit an inmate, they may arrange for a special visit which is twice as long as a standard visit. Any spiritual visits made by religious personnel who are not family members must be pre-approved by the warden’s office.

The Garza West Unit allows inmates to maintain contact with approved visitors through visitation. While standard visits last two hours, special visits can be arranged for those traveling long distances. All visitors are subject to thorough searches before entering the facility, and religious personnel must obtain prior approval for spiritual visits.

What type of facilities is available at the Garza West Unit?

Garza West Unit acknowledges the importance of productive behavior from inmates, and as such, provides access to a plethora of amenities, including educational and vocational opportunities, as well as rehabilitation. Such facilities can be accessed by the inmates, and some of the most notable ones are highlighted below.

Educational Programs:
The Garza Unit seeks to actively engage its inmates in educational initiatives, offering a suite of courses for their development. The Texas Workforce Commission – Education Services (WSD) facilitates the Adult Basic Education/GED Preparation and Test, CHANGES/Pre-Release program, and cognitive intervention courses, all of which are provided with appropriate study material to help inmates prepare for tests.

Career and Technology Programs:
The prison provides employment opportunities to inmates, which allows them to stay occupied while honing new skills. Popular trades within this initiative are masonry, construction, and woodwork.

Medical Capabilities:
Garza West Unit offers a full range of medical assistance, managed by the University of Texas Medical Board. These include ambulatory care, dental services, mental health assistance, and Digital Medical Services (DMS). CPAP housing is available, and inmates have access to offender intake/receiving, substance abuse screening, and addiction treatment. All services are provided in a single-level setting.

Additional Programs/Services:
Incarcerated individuals have the opportunity to engage in various initiatives, including a two-year Faith-Based Dormitory program, basic and secondary Adult Education Programs, peer-educational support, religious activities, and the GO KIDS program, dedicated to aiding the children of prisoners.

Community Work Projects:
The lack of community work projects at the transfer facility is due to its location in an unincorporated area and the short stay of many of the inmates before they are transferred out. As a result, providing such opportunities for the inmates is not feasible.

Volunteer Initiatives:
However, the facility offers various programs and activities for the inmates to participate in, including literacy and education programs, employment and job skills training, substance abuse education, life skills courses, parenting classes, support groups, victims awareness programs, family visitation centers, and religious or faith-based studies. These programs are designed to support the inmates in their personal development and help them acquire valuable skills and knowledge that can aid their reintegration into society.

Is the Garza West Unit dangerous?

Since April 2007, the Garza West Unit has held accreditation from the ACA, indicating that the facility meets the humane standards of living outlined by the United Nations and ensures that inmates’ human rights are respected.

As a transfer facility, Garza West Unit does not house high-risk felons, and most medium-security prisoners are transferred to other facilities. Those who remain are either awaiting transfer or are minimum-security inmates, who pose little to no threat to others. Therefore, the facility is relatively safe for both inmates and officers.

The inmates at Garza West Unit choose to engage in various activities and programs provided by the facility, such as substance abuse and addiction programs, anger management counseling, and other support programs. These programs aim to aid the inmates in their personal development and rehabilitation.

The Garza West Unit is a safe environment for all due to its low-risk inmate population and the availability of various programs to help them in their rehabilitation. Additionally, its ACA accreditation ensures that the facility meets the necessary standards for humane treatment of inmates.

How do we search inmates in the Garza West Unit?

When an inmate is transferred to the Garza West Unit, their information is added to the TDCJ database. Family members who are unsure about an inmate’s location can follow several steps to obtain information about their incarceration at Garza West Unit.

Firstly, they need to know the inmate’s first and last name and ID number, which is assigned to inmates who are not transferred elsewhere. This ID serves as their unique identifier, and it is essential to locate them in the system.

To obtain information about an inmate, one can browse the Garza West Unit’s database by providing their first name, last name, and ID number on the facility’s website. Additionally, one can call the Garza West Unit Visitor Information Line at (361)-358-9890 (**095) to receive the information they require about the inmate, such as visiting regulations, prison policies, or their prison account status. However, some inmates may not be allowed visitors until they are transferred to a permanent facility.

To confirm the information, one may visit the Garza West Unit directly and inquire about the inmate. It is crucial to note that if an inmate has not listed someone on their visitor’s list, that individual will not be allowed to meet with them.

How to contact the Garza West Unit?

To obtain information on an inmate at Garza West Unit, there are several ways you can contact the facility.

Firstly, you can visit the facility in person and inquire at the information center. The staff will be able to assist you with any questions you may have, including visitation policies, dress codes, and other prison regulations. The facility is located at Garza West Transfer Facility, 4250 Highway 202, Beeville, TX 78102, United States.

Another option is to call the Garza West Unit directly at (361)-358-9890 (**095). You can also set up an account on JPay to send messages to the inmate, and they can call you during approved daytime hours after paying the call fees. It’s important to note that all calls are monitored by the staff at Garza West Unit. If you have any additional questions or concerns, you can call the Ombudsman Visitation Hotline at (936) 437-4927 or toll-free at (844) 476-1289. The hotline is open on weekends from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Finally, you can also visit the official website of the Garza West Unit to access their database and search for a particular inmate. When mailing something to an inmate, you must include their name, TDCJ number, and unit address, which is Garza West Transfer Facility, 4250 Highway 202, Beeville, TX 78102, United States.

It’s important to note that before you can visit an inmate, they must add you to their approved visitation list. Additionally, some inmates may not have the privilege of receiving visitors before being transferred to a permanent facility.

There are several ways to contact the Garza West Unit and obtain information on an inmate, including visiting the facility, calling the facility directly or through the Ombudsman Visitation Hotline, and visiting the official website. It’s crucial to follow the facility’s guidelines and regulations when contacting or visiting an inmate.

  • Inmate Name, ID Number
  • Garza West Transfer Facility
  • 4250 Highway 202
  • Beeville, TX 78102

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Garza West Unit?

Garza West Unit is a transfer facility under the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. It houses inmates who are either awaiting transfer to another facility or serving short sentences as minimum-security inmates.

What is the address of Garza West Unit?

The address of Garza West Unit is 4250 Highway 202, Beeville, TX 78102, United States.

How can I contact Garza West Unit?

You can contact Garza West Unit by phone at (361)-358-9890 (**095) or by visiting their website. You can also visit the facility in person to get information.

How do I send mail to an inmate at Garza West Unit?

To send mail to an inmate at Garza West Unit, you must include the inmate’s name and ID number in the mailing address. The mailing address for inmate mail looks like this:
Inmate Name, TDCJ ID Number
Garza West Transfer Facility
4250 Highway 202
Beeville, TX 78102

Can I visit an inmate at Garza West Unit?

Yes, you can visit an inmate at Garza West Unit. However, you must first be on the inmate’s approved visitor list and follow the facility’s visitation policies.

What are the visitation policies at Garza West Unit?

The visitation policies at Garza West Unit include dress code requirements, a maximum of two visitors per visit, and no physical contact between visitors and inmates. You can find the full list of visitation policies on the facility’s website.

How do I find out information about an inmate at Garza West Unit?

To find out information about an inmate at Garza West Unit, you can visit the facility in person, call the information center, or visit the facility’s website. You will need the inmate’s first and last name and ID number to access their information.

What kind of programs does Garza West Unit offer to inmates?

Garza West Unit offers various programs to inmates, including literacy and education programs, job skills training, substance abuse education, anger management counseling, and faith-based studies. Inmates can also participate in support groups, parenting courses, and family visitation centers.

Conclusion

The Garza West Unit is a transfer facility located in Beeville, Texas. The facility primarily houses minimum-security inmates and those awaiting transfer to another facility. The unit provides various programs to the inmates, including literacy and education, employment and job skills, substance abuse education, life skills, parenting courses, support groups, victim awareness, family visitation centers, religious or faith-based studies, and activities. The facility is accredited by the ACA, ensuring that inmates are treated humanely and their human rights are not violated.

For families seeking information about an inmate at the Garza West Unit, there are several ways to obtain it. They can visit the facility’s information center, call the Garza West Unit, set up an account on JPay, or visit the official website and browse through the database. It is important to note that the Garza West Unit is safe for both inmates and staff, and inmates who stay there are unlikely to pose a threat due to their short sentences or minimum-security classification.

Dewayne

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