Ellis Unit

The O.B. Ellis Unit is a multi-custody prison for male inmates located in Huntsville, Texas. This facility can house a maximum of 2,073 inmates and is operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The Ellis Unit also has a Trusty Camp that can house 409 inmates. Ellis Unit also has the Sex Offender Education Program (SOEP)

Ellis Unit sits on 11,427 acres and has numerous agricultural operations. They include Cotton Gin, Cow/Calf Operation, Egg Laying Operation, Farm Shop, Edible and Field Crops, Security Horses, Security Pack Canines, and Swine Farrowing/Nursery/Finishing Operations.

Manufacturing and Logistics Operations at Ellis Unit are the Bus Repair Facility, the Garment Factory, and the Chair Factory.

Steve Earle recorded "Ellis Unit One" for the 1995 film Dead Man Walking. The song's lyrics focus on the effect of the death penalty on the guards that carry it out. Ellis Unit housed Texas' death row from 1965 until 1999.

Quick Navigation

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Physical Address

General Phone Number

Inmate Mailing Address(es)

How to Call an Inmate

How to Send Money

Programs For Inmates

Pictures of Ellis Unit

Careers at Ellis Unit

Prison Insights

Ellis Unit

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ALL Insight Result

Overall Score = 5/10

Total Respondents = 2

Comment Section

My overall first visit to this facility was good as far as the initial intake process for visitors, however, the facility itself definitely needs a lot of modern improvement structurally. When entering the security gates I felt like it was back in the 1970s, the entrance to the main building and inside the floors needed to be redone, tiles were off of the floor and the floors were dirty. This lead me to believe that the state taxes to do repairs on a state facility like this one were not being enforced to making overall structural improvements, that I could see visually and needed great improvements. The non contact area was very old and it was hard to hear my family member so I had to lean forward whenever he was talking to understand him. I also didn't feel that it was at all a private conversation and it needs desperate improvement. I'm not quite sure why this facility is so behind in repairs and making modern correctional facility improvements but I would say that overall, someone in Austin needs to come out and see this facility to determine the quality of this building as well as buildings where the inmates sleep and eat and bath. Texas needs to make a huge improvement on their habilitation as well as rehabilitation services and mental health services to the inmates to improve return inmates due to the lack of funding not being applied to these facilities. I am so surprised as to how many mental health workers work at this facility and the enormous needs to those effected by mental health issues. Also my biggest concern is why is there no air conditioning in this building especially with inmates that take medications where they are not supposed to be subjected to high heat environments, I find this issue inhuman and neglectful and on the line of abuse to anyone taking medication that could cause them extreme health problems if not death.

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I am The Family/Friend of a Current Inmate Insight Result

Overall Score = 5/10

Total Respondents = 1

Comment Section

My overall first visit to this facility was good as far as the initial intake process for visitors, however, the facility itself definitely needs a lot of modern improvement structurally. When entering the security gates I felt like it was back in the 1970s, the entrance to the main building and inside the floors needed to be redone, tiles were off of the floor and the floors were dirty. This lead me to believe that the state taxes to do repairs on a state facility like this one were not being enforced to making overall structural improvements, that I could see visually and needed great improvements. The non contact area was very old and it was hard to hear my family member so I had to lean forward whenever he was talking to understand him. I also didn't feel that it was at all a private conversation and it needs desperate improvement. I'm not quite sure why this facility is so behind in repairs and making modern correctional facility improvements but I would say that overall, someone in Austin needs to come out and see this facility to determine the quality of this building as well as buildings where the inmates sleep and eat and bath. Texas needs to make a huge improvement on their habilitation as well as rehabilitation services and mental health services to the inmates to improve return inmates due to the lack of funding not being applied to these facilities. I am so surprised as to how many mental health workers work at this facility and the enormous needs to those effected by mental health issues. Also my biggest concern is why is there no air conditioning in this building especially with inmates that take medications where they are not supposed to be subjected to high heat environments, I find this issue inhuman and neglectful and on the line of abuse to anyone taking medication that could cause them extreme health problems if not death.

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What Do Inmate Families Think?

Drug Rehabilitation Programs	Needs Improvement Excellent
Mental Health Programs	Needs Improvement Excellent
Library Quality	Needs Improvement Excellent
Warden	Needs Improvement Excellent
Recreational Program Choices	Needs Improvement Excellent
Educational Program Quality	Needs Improvement Excellent
How Officers Treat Inmates	Needs Improvement Excellent
How Inmates Treat Each Other	Needs Improvement Excellent
Cleanliness of Facility	Needs Improvement Excellent
Safety of Inmate Personal Property	Needs Improvement Excellent
Phone Availability	Needs Improvement Excellent
Commissary Items and Prices	Needs Improvement Excellent
Treatment of Visitors	Needs Improvement Excellent
Visitation Rights	Needs Improvement Excellent
Inmate Privacy	Needs Improvement Excellent
Inmate Food Quality	Needs Improvement Excellent
Inmate Safety	Needs Improvement Excellent

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What Do Former Inmates Think?

Drug Rehabilitation Programs	Needs Improvement Excellent
Mental Health Programs	Needs Improvement Excellent
Library Quality	Needs Improvement Excellent
Warden	Needs Improvement Excellent
Recreational Program Choices	Needs Improvement Excellent
Educational Program Quality	Needs Improvement Excellent
How Officers Treat Inmates	Needs Improvement Excellent
How Inmates Treat Each Other	Needs Improvement Excellent
Cleanliness of Facility	Needs Improvement Excellent
Safety of Inmate Personal Property	Needs Improvement Excellent
Phone Availability	Needs Improvement Excellent
Commissary Items and Prices	Needs Improvement Excellent
Treatment of Visitors	Needs Improvement Excellent
Visitation Rights	Needs Improvement Excellent
Inmate Privacy	Needs Improvement Excellent
Inmate Food Quality	Needs Improvement Excellent
Inmate Safety	Needs Improvement Excellent

Go back

What Do Employees Think?

Drug Rehabilitation Programs	Needs Improvement Excellent
Mental Health Programs	Needs Improvement Excellent
Library Quality	Needs Improvement Excellent
Warden	Needs Improvement Excellent
Recreational Program Choices	Needs Improvement Excellent
Educational Program Quality	Needs Improvement Excellent
How Officers Treat Inmates	Needs Improvement Excellent
How Inmates Treat Each Other	Needs Improvement Excellent
Cleanliness of Facility	Needs Improvement Excellent
Safety of Inmate Personal Property	Needs Improvement Excellent
Visitation Rights	Needs Improvement Excellent
Inmate Privacy	Needs Improvement Excellent
Inmate Food Quality	Needs Improvement Excellent
Inmate Safety	Needs Improvement Excellent

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Sorry, there are no insights for this section of the facility yet.

Overall Score = /10

Total Respondents =

Visiting Hours and Rules

The visiting hours at the Ellis Unit are on Saturdays and Sundays from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. Each inmate is allowed one visit per weekend with a maximum of two (2) adults, ages 18 and older. Children ages 17 and younger may visit without being counted in the visitor number.

Please call the Ombudsman Visitation Hotline at (936) 437-4927 or toll free at (844) 476-1289 if you have questions. The hotline is open Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Visiting Applications

Before you can visit an inmate at Ellis Unit, you must submit a visiting application and get approval from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The visiting application and instructions are below.

List of Items Permitted Through Checkpoint

Dress Code

The Ellis Unit requires that visitors dress conservatively. If you are not dressed appropriately, you will not be allowed to visit with your inmate. The duty warden makes the final decision on whether or not clothing is appropriate.

Sandals, flip-flops, and open-toe shoes are allowed
Clothing that is tight fitting, revealing, or made with see-through fabrics is prohibited
Sleeveless shirts and dresses are allowed but must cover the shoulders.

Shorts and skirts no shorter than three inches above the middle of the knee while standing, capri pants, or long pants are allowed
Length is not restricted for pre-adolescent boys and girls, generally ages 10 and younger
Clothing with pictures or language that may be considered profane or offensive by current public standards is prohibited

For a complete list of the visiting rules, click here.

What can you bring to a visit?

The only items allowed inside the visiting room are:

A small wallet, clear plastic bag, or change purse
$25 cash (in coins) for the vending machines
Visitors with infants or small children may bring no more than three diapers, a supply of baby wipes, and two baby bottles (“sippy” cup for toddlers). These items must be stored in a clear plastic bag.

Visitor Identification: For visitors 18 years of age and older, a pictured government identification (ID) is required.

All other items must be kept in your vehicle. Visitors are not allowed to bring any electronic devices into the visiting room.

Physical Address

Ellis Unit
1697 FM 980
Huntsville, TX 77343

Driving Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/XszxW5W3mW51qYh97

General Phone Number

(936) 295-5756 (**010)

Inmate Mailing Address(es)

Inmate Name/DOC Number
Ellis Unit
1697 FM 980
Huntsville, TX 77343

eMessages

Offenders can receive incoming eMessages. To register, please contact JPAY at 1-866-333- 5729 or www.jpay.com on the web.

How to Call an Inmate

You can't call an inmate at Ellis Unit, but they do have access to phones during certain hours. For complete details on how to call an inmate in Texas, please click here.

How to Send Money

The most popular ways to send money to an inmate at Ellis Unit are:

ECOMMDIRECT

Click here and enter offender number, name and confirm offender. Add deposit amount to your cart and checkout using a Visa, MasterCard or Discover card for a service fee.

MONEY ORDERS or CASHIER’S CHECKS made payable to “Inmate Trust Fund for Offender Name and Number”

You may obtain deposit slips from offender or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Inmate Trust Fund, PO Box 60, Huntsville, TX 77342-0060
Send deposit and completed deposit slip to Inmate Trust Fund, PO Box 60, Huntsville, TX 77342-0060

ACCESS CORRECTIONS – SECURE DEPOSITS

1. Visit www.AccessCorrections.com

2. Telephone (toll-free): 1.866.345.1884 for live bilingual agents available 24/7

3. Cash Walk-In at most stores available from 8am to 9pm, some 24/7

4. Visit www.CashPayToday.com or call 1.844.340.2274 to enroll, find locations, or get your barcode for Dollar GeneralDeposits

5. Send money with Debit Card or Cash at Dollar General; new barcode system required

JPAY allows you to send money to an offender for a service fee. Visit their website at www.jpay.com or call 1.800.574.5729 to send funds using Visa or MasterCard credit/debit card.

Programs For Inmates

Educational Programs: Literacy (Adult Basic Education/GED), Special Education, CHANGES/Pre-Release, Cognitive Intervention

Career and Technology Programs: Computer Maintenance Technician

Lee College Academic

Lee College Vocational: Cabinetmaking; Horticulture; Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration

Additional Programs/Services: Faith Based Dormitory, Gang Renouncement and Dissociation (GRAD) Process, Adult Education Program (upon availability), Peer Education, Reentry Planning, Chaplaincy Services, GO KIDS Initiative

Volunteer Initiatives: Substance Abuse Education, Literacy/Education, Life Skills, Support Groups, Religious/Faith Based Studies and Activities

Pictures of Ellis Unit

Ellis Unit - Overhead View — Ellis Unit – Overhead View

Careers at Ellis Unit

If you are interested in a career with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and would like more information about available jobs at Ellis Unit, click here.

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