AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Department of Criminal Justice facility at the Garza East Unit in Beeville is among two units slated for closure in upcoming months.
Texas State Sen. John Whitmire announced Thursday the Garza Unit and Jester Unit I in Sugarland will be closing.
Whitmire said all current employees at the two prison units will be offered jobs at nearby units, helping to address understaffing at other units. Also, existing pgrograms will be transferred to ensure inmates continue in their current progress.
The TDCJ plans to shutter the Beeville prison to ensure the state maintains adequate space should it ever see a spike in the number of inmates. The closer will provide an estimated savings of $20 million per year that can be used to cover shortfalls in other areas an enchance security and services at the remaining facilities in the system.
"I applaud the hard work of the leadership at the TDCJ for never backing down on the goal of reducing incarceration rates and recidivism while never compromising public safety," Whitmire said. "It's a triple wini for the taxpayers, the employees and the people trying to break the cycle of crime.
