Tucker Unit

The Tucker Unit is an Arkansas Department of Correction prison located in Tucker, Arkansas. This facility has a maximum capacity of 1,126, and houses minimum and medium-security inmates.

Tucker Unit - formerly known as Tucker State Prison Farm - has a long history. It used to be the maximum-security prison with death row and the electric chair before the Maximum Security Unit was built. From 1933 to 1964, all male inmate executions were performed at Tucker Unit.

The resident physician at Tucker during the 1960s was Dr. A.E. Rollins, who invented a torture device known as the Tucker Telephone. Made with parts from an old-fashioned crank telephone, the Tucker Telephone can administer electric shocks to another person.

Dr. Rollins used this device on inmates who were taken to the “hospital room.” He would restrain the inmate before applying two wires - one to the big toe and one to the genitals. Using this torture device on inmates often resulted in organ damage and mental health problems.

The Tucker Unit is where the West Memphis Three were incarcerated for more than 15 years until they were all released in 2011.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Visiting hours at the Tucker Unit are generally on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4:00 p.m. However, because this unit does have a rotating schedule, so you must communicate with your loved one to find out the specific day and time they can receive visits.

Each inmate can have no more than four visitors during a visit, including children. The only exception to this rule is when the spouse of an inmate and all children, regardless of the number, visit at one time.

How To Get On The Approved Visit List

If you would like to visit an inmate at Tucker Unit, you need to start the process by asking your incarcerated friend or loved one to mail you a visit application. Once you receive it, fill it out completely and mail it to the Tucker Unit Visitation Clerk at the address provided on the form. Do not mail it back to the inmate.

All visiting applications are processed, reviewed, and either approved or denied by the Warden. The screening process takes at least a week, and when the ADC reviews your application they run a criminal history check.

It is the inmate’s responsibility to let you know if you have been approved or denied.

General Visit Rules

There are a lot of rules when it comes to visiting an inmate, and many of them you need to know ahead of time.

One of the most important things to remember is that everyone over the age of 12 needs to bring a photo ID, and all children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an approved adult visitor.

The only things you are allowed to bring into the visiting room are:

• A clear plastic bag containing a small amount of cash for buying drinks and snacks
• Prescription medication in the visitor’s name and in original pharmacy container
• Photo ID
• Baby bottles, baby diapers, and diaper wipes
• Car keys
• jewelry (being worn)

Do not bring in cell phones or other electronic devices.

The dress code for visitors is extremely conservative. You must wear modest clothing or else your visit will be denied.

You can’t wear halter-tops, tank tops, sleeveless tops, hats, shorts, mini-skirts/dresses, see-through clothing, leggings, jeggings, or camouflage.

Before you enter the visiting area you will walk through a metal detector, and it is possible you will be pat searched. If you refuse, you will not be allowed to visit.

Be aware that the Tucker Unit randomly drug tests visitors with an Ion Scanner, and a positive scan can lead to a search of you and your vehicle.

Any visitor unable to successfully clear all entrance procedures will be denied entry and may have their visitation privileges suspended.

You can only send letters to this address. If you want to send books, magazines, newspapers, or catalogs, they must be mailed directly from the publisher or vendor.

In order to reduce contraband in Tucker Unit, the staff makes photocopies of all inmate mail instead of giving them your actual letter. Inmates will receive two sheets of copy paper, which will include a copy of the envelope and the correspondence.

Since they only make black and white copies, be sure use dark ink only (black or blue ink).

You can’t mail food or care packages to an inmate. However, Arkansas is part of the Inmate Package Program where you can buy up to $100 of goods through participating vendors at different times throughout the year.

• www.ARInmatePackage.com
• www.arkansaspackages.com

You can also send email and photos through www.accesscorrections.com, but you will need to open an account with them first before sending any correspondence.

All snail mail and email is subject to review by the facility staff prior to delivery, so make sure your content is appropriate.

How to Call an Inmate

For complete details on how to call an inmate in Arkansas, please click here.

How to Send Money

One of the best things you can do to support your loved one who is behind bars is to send them some money. Prisoners do not have the opportunity to earn a lot of money, even though they are usually required to work a full-time job.

Online

The fastest way to send money to an inmate at the Tucker Unit is to use the ONLINE INMATE DEPOSIT SERVICE through the Arkansas Department of Corrections. You must have a credit or debit card and this method does have a processing fee. Prepaid cards and payroll cards are not accepted.

US Mail

If you prefer snail mail, there are a couple of things to remember.

• Only send money orders
• Don’t send cash or a check
• Don’t mail it directly to the prisoner
• Always include a Money Order Deposit Slip
• Mail your money order to:

Arkansas Department of Correction:
Trust Fund Centralized Banking
P.O. Box 8908
Pine Bluff, AR 71611

Money orders should be made payable to the inmate’s name and you must include their ADC number.

Phone

You can also send money to an inmate by calling 1-866-250-7697. You will need a credit or debit card for this method, and there is a small processing fee.

​Programs For ​Inmates

• GED Program

GED classes are offered at Tucker Unit and the Board of Correction mandates attendance for all inmates without a GED or high school diploma unless they are unable to participate due to health reasons.

• Paws in Prison

Selected inmates have the opportunity to become trainers of rescue dogs in the Paws in Prison program. Inmate trainers work with the dogs on proper socialization and basic obedience skills in order to improve their chances of adoption.

Eligibility requirements for inmate trainers are based, in part, on interest, training, attitude, length of sentence, criminal history (at a minimum no convictions for animal cruelty or abuse), institutional behavior/adjustment, and the inmate’s overall ability to assist in the care and training of a dog.

• Think Legacy Program

The Think Legacy Program is a voluntary program that inmates can sign up for when they are 6 to 18 months from their release date.

The program focuses on Employment Readiness, Community Resources, Social Skill Readiness, Mentoring, Cognitive Behavior Awareness through “Thinking for a Change,” Victim Impact, Budgeting, Life Skills, Healthy Relationships, and Family Reunification.

• Agriculture

Allows inmates to be trained in work habits and allows them to develop marketable skills in the areas of: Field and Vegetable Crops, Garden Operations, Farm Garage, and Bee Hive and Canine Unit.

• Vo-Tech

Job skills training programs developed and managed by Riverside Vo-Tech and funded through the Department of Workforce Education.

• Faith-Based Principles and Applications for Life (PAL) Program

The PAL Program (Principles and Applications for Life) includes worship services, religious materials, and counseling services. It also covers Principles for Daily Living, Character Qualities, Commands to Live By, and Uprooting Anger.

This program is designed to help inmates with approaching everyday decisions and life, financial affairs, becoming a leader/servant in their home, community, church, parenting, etc.

• Industry - Mattress Manufacturing, Furniture Refinishing, Bus and Fire Truck Refurbishing, Athletic Equipment, Chair Manufacturing, Metal Fabrication, Metal Powder Coat and Auto Body/Repair Work

Other programs include: Regional Maintenance, Substance Abuse Therapeutic Community Program (TC),  Substance Abuse Treatment Program (SATP), and Hay Operations.

Pictures of Tucker Unit

Careers at Tucker Unit

If you are interested in pursuing a career with the Arkansas Department of Corrections, you can find available positions at the Tucker Unit by visiting their website.