48-year-old Jose Ruiz, Correctional Officer V at the Hutchins State Jail, died on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. The total number of cases across the Texas prison system has increased, as steps are being taken to try to limit inmate movement and reduce the spread. Download it here. At the same time, about 4,000 incarcerated men resided in those units and would need to be rehoused, according to TDCJ data. As for Darcy Vargas, not a day goes by she is not thinking about her son. Copyright 2023 We strive daily to provide public safety, assist victims of crime, promote positive change in. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. "Until further notice, please contact unit prior to travelling for visitation.". Darcy Vargas said she has not seen her son in four years. As far as Darcy Vargas knows, her son has not started pre-release programming, as Sanchez State Jail remains on lockdown. Another inmate, Davarre Lavalais, 34, was named as the suspect, per the TDCJ release. In the Beto Unit, six of the 34 inmates in medical isolation have tested positive tied with Telford for the highest case total among all individual prison units. TCDJ representatives didn't elaborate on why visitation hours were canceled, though it's not an uncommon practice during high-profile escapes. Your heart is behind those bars, too, and you serve that sentence right along with them, Darcy Vargas said. In an interview with the Houston Chronicle, Whitmire added that hes pleased with the prison systems response to the virus. Under Texas law, he will automatically be charged with capital murder since he is accused of killing another inmate. 9 Texas a B12 title, No. Inmates are sent to medical isolation, in which they are placed in a single cell in another part of the unit, if they test positive or show symptoms of the virus. According to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), the Clements Unit in Amarillo and the Jordan Unit in Pampa are on that precautionary lockdown. Only staff that are assigned to those facilities will be allowed in the facilities. There are family members that already have a place in their hearts, in their communities, in their neighborhoods, right, that's disinfected. 2 Alabama rallies, beats rival Auburn 90-85 in, Kevin Durant scores 23 points in Charlotte in Suns, Gruver Lady Hounds basketball looks to reclaim UIL, Hall of Fame Cowgirl celebrates 92nd birthday, Upgrade your drinks for St. Patricks Day. In December 2019, The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles granted Gerald Vargas parole, upon completion of a six-month pre-release program. "The. Credit: Texas Department of Criminal Justice, 10 people run from traffic stop in west Houston, Memorial Villages PD says, Man ticketed for feeding Houston's homeless outside of library. He died two days later. What is the most visited state park in Texas? Abbott Sued Over Order Limiting Personal Bonds for Some Inmates, Gov. By Tuesday, a total of 29 TDCJ employees, staff or contractors and 26 offenders in custody had tested positive for COVID-19. According to TDCJ, the lone inmate in medical isolation at the Jordan Unit had tested positive. Look for a box or option labeled Home Page (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari) or On Startup (Chrome). Officer Drennan had two years of service with the TDCJ at the Jordan Unit in Pampa, Texas. Typically those inmates are restricted to one part of the unit, and medical staff checks on them twice a day. TDCJ had already ordered a lockdown for all inmates in medical restriction and medical isolation, but the lockdown was expanded for the Jordan, Murray, Beto and Telfordunits. researches product purchases and suppliers. ANDERSON COUNTY, Texas (KETK) An inmate killed another prisoner at the Michael Unit in Tennessee Colony last week, according to Texas Department of Criminal Justice officials. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The agency continues to administer and receive results for COVID-19 tests daily. All rights reserved. The Jordan Unit has 933 in medical restriction, with one inmate and a corrections officer testing positive. Enter https://www.corrections1.com/ and click OK. People do change, so they deserve the same amount of care that we get out here. Gerald Vargas is behind bars in the Sanchez State Jail in El Paso. Copyright 2023 Corrections1. Estelle is one of about 40 units on lockdown. You're helpless because you know, there's nothing. H.H. All inmates in those units have been confined to their cells, Desel said. Headlight flashing: What it means and is it illegal? Example video title will go here for this video. Starting tomorrow, TDCJs Health Services Divisions Patient Liaison Program and the Correctional Managed Healthcare partners at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) and Texas Tech University Health Science Center (TTUHSC) will be staffing three hotlines to address questions related to COVID-19. statewide search for an escaped Texas prison inmate, This isn't the first time escaped convict Gonzalo Lopez has successfully gotten away from law enforcement, according to data from the National Institute of Corrections, UPDATE: TDCJ raises reward on Lopez to over $22K. He tested positive for COVID-19 on January 9, 2022, and was placed in quarantine. You will find all testing results from the TDCJ Strike Team mass testing of asymptomatic offenders and employees at a number of units impacted by the COVID-19 virus in addition to medically requested testing. Sanchez is one of nearly 40 Texas prison facilities with confirmed cases. Officer Ruiz had 18 years of service with TDCJ. Among the prisons on lockdown, the Jordan Unit reported 993 inmates in medical restriction as of Tuesday. So, we really haven't stopped anything. 2023, Charter Communications, all rights reserved. But obviously public health and the safety and the welfare of the inmates and employees are the highest priority. He wasnt sentenced to die. This may be called Tools or use an icon like the cog. Six of the 22 prisoners in medical isolation at Telford tested positive. Desel said a statewide lockdown has not been necessary. We should all be treated the same, regardless if we're on the inside or not, Casey Phillips said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. They're all human beings. Seventeen Murray Unit inmates were in medical isolation as of Monday, including four with a positive test. He said the decision to lockdown the entire system should be based on daily and hourly evaluations within the states prisons. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Lexipol. The video above is from related reporting. Texas prisons and parole officials said COVID-19 has not stopped the parole review process, as parole panels review cases and interview family members, attorneys, and victims via teleconference or videoconference. The Rufe Jordan Unit, the Dr. Lane Murray Unit, the George Beto Unit and the Barry B. Telford Unit have all been placed on a complete lockdown, according to Whitmire, who serves as chair of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee. She had hoped to see her son this summer. You kind of put your life on hold until hes home, because things that you really like to do, don't matter anymore, she said. Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Select the option or tab named Internet Options (Internet Explorer), Options (Firefox), Preferences (Safari) or Settings (Chrome). The advisory listed more than 40 facilities in central, eastern, and southeast Texas that were impacted. HOUSTON - Late Wednesday, officials with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice announced at least 15 prison facilities were placed in lock-down because of the coronavirus outbreak. 39-year-old Jade Drennan, Correctional Officer IV at the Jordan Unit, died on Thursday, May 19, 2022. 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Bracht arrived at TDCJ on Jan. 14, 2019, three years before his death to serve a five-year sentence for burglary of habitat in Nueces County. Officials say its unclear whether he died from the virus. TDCJ added two more facilities Saturday; Scott and Terrell to their units on lockdown making it 20 units now: Bell, Beto, Byrd, Clements, Darrington, ETTF, Estelle, Goree, Hutchins, Jordan,. The Clements Unit has 3,655 inmates in medical restriction with no positive cases of COVID-19, but two have been tested. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. The agency maintains a visitation hotline for the public to answer questions about visitation policies and other topics. CID - TDCJ Correctional Institutions Division. According to TDCJ data, 1,798 Texas prisoners have tested positive for the coronavirus, and 30 have died. I mean, he could have been almost done with this program by now, Darcy Vargas said. The hospital pronounced him dead roughly 90 minutes after being found. Inmates are placed in medical restriction if theyve been exposed to a confirmed case or someone showing symptoms of the virus. They are given a face masks, and nurses regularly check their respiratory status, officials said. 95 talking about this. Overcrowded and often understaffed, an airborne virus is easily transmitted. Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Now other inmates and their families face cancellations of visiting hours at dozens of facilities across the state. Units on lockdown and inmates on Commissary Restriction will not be eligible for an eComm package until after the lockdown/restriction is lifted. Wes Alan Bracht, 44, was taken to the units medical facility where officials contacted Palestine Regional Medical Center. (A lockdown) is a tremendous hardship on the inmates and the correctional officers, he said. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Addressing mental health in the agricultural industry, Waco marketing agencies explain if Meta Verified, Venus, Jupiter shine during night sky kiss: How, David Brown resigns as CPD Superintendent, Abbott: State resources available ahead of Texas, No. As of 6 p.m. on May 14, Sanchez State Jail has 34 confirmed COVID-19 cases, according to data published on the Texas Department of Criminal Justice website. There have been some minor changes made, where some courses have been made smaller, as far as the class size goes, so that we can keep those class sizes to 10 or under, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, Desel said. Not, Casey Phillips said families face cancellations of visiting hours at dozens of facilities across the.! Eligible for an eComm package Until after the lockdown/restriction is lifted where officials contacted Palestine Regional medical.. 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