Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Texas prisons and jails are on an immediate statewide lockdown following a rise in contraband and drug-related inmate homicides.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) issued a lockdown and comprehensive search on Wednesday for all facilities in the state. According to a statement issued by the agency, there have been 16 inmate homicides this year that are believed to be tied to illegal drugs.
“These incidents have heightened concerns regarding the safety and security of inmates, staff, and the public,” TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier said in a news release. "A lockdown is a necessary response to confront the root causes of this crisis, enhance security measures, and ensure the well-being of all individuals within our agency. We are committed to finding the narcotics, but also working with the Office of Inspector General and outside law enforcements to dismantle the networks that are trafficking drugs into our systems.”
Amanda Hernandez, spokesperson for TDCJ, said in an email that there have been no homicides in the Gatesville prisons this year.
“There is no time limit for the lockdown,” Hernandez said. “As units are searched, they will resume normal operations.”
During the lockdown, TDCJ said inmates and staff will be subject to increased searches, and facilities will limit the movement of inmates as well as contact outside of the prisons. Visitations to the facilities have also been canceled.
The agency announced an official roll out of a digital mail platform, a move to battle the increase of traditional mail soaked in synthetic marijuana and methamphetamines making their way into the prisons. Effective Wednesday for all units, incoming paper mail will now be sent to a digital processing center where it will be scanned and uploaded to a secure tablet for the inmate to view.
TDCJ is using other prevention methods, including tiplines to report suspicious activity and specialized search teams and narcotic dogs to help detect illegal drugs and contraband.
The Texas Tribune reported that this is not the first prison lockdown in the state. In 2008, former Gov. Rick Perry issued a lockdown on 112 prisons after a man on death row called a state senator from a smuggled cell phone.
“The safety of inmates, staff, and the public is our highest priority,” TDCJ Inspector General Cris Love said in the release. “Illegal drugs within our facilities will not be tolerated. Individuals found smuggling contraband will be arrested and subject to prosecution.”
