George Beto Unit
The George Beto Unit is a multi-custody prison for male inmates located in Tennessee Colony, Texas. It is operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and it can house a maximum of 3,150 inmates. The custody levels housed at Beto Unit are G1-G4, Administrative Segregation, Outside Trusty, and Transient.
Prison Insights
George Beto Unit
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Visiting Hours and Rules
Visiting hours at the George Beto Unit are on Saturdays and Sundays from 7 am to 5 pm.
Ombudsman Visitation Hotline: Members of the public may call this line inquire about offender location,basic visitation policy questions, unit family liaison officer information, and how to appeal a visitation denial. The hotline will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at (936) 437-4927 or toll free at (844) 476-1289.
All offenders, except those who are being processed through intake, in solitary confinement, G5, lockdown status, or administrative segregation, are allowed one visit every weekend, normally two adults for two hours.
Children under the age of 18 are not counted in this number, and must be accompanied by an approved adult visitor (18 years or older). The number of children allowed per visit will be based on the amount of space available for visitation and on the visitor’s ability to manage and control the children.
Additional adult visitors may be allowed at the warden’s discretion if special circumstances arise and space permits.
Dress Code and Permissible Items
Visitors must follow the dress code. Shirts and shoes must be worn. Shirts and blouses of fishnet, transparent material are not allowed. 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, and long pants are allowed. Exceptions for pre-adolescent boys and girls may be made. If a dress, pants, skirt, or any attire appears to be inappropriate, the duty warden shall be contacted for a decision.
Hats may be worn, but will be searched. Visitors are not permitted to wear all white. Clothing marked by words or pictures considered profane or offensive by current public standards will not be allowed.
Items allowed inside the secured perimeter of a unit:
- A small wallet, clear plastic bag (Ziploc type) or change purse
- $25 cash (in coins) – Vending machines are available in the visitation areas.
- Offender 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 shall be stored in a clear plastic bag.
All vehicles and visitors are subject to search upon entering TDCJ property. Visitors shall be pat searched and scanned with a metal detector prior to entering the visitation area. Small children and infants shall be removed from carriers or strollers.
The parent, guardian, or accompanying adult shall carry the child through the walk-through metal detector. Under no circumstances shall children and infants be separated from their parent, guardian or accompanying adult.
Any visitor refusing the search procedure shall be required to leave TDCJ property.
Cash (except coins), alcoholic beverages, tobacco, cell phones, cameras, drugs, firearms, escape implements, or dangerous weapons are strictly prohibited by statute and TDCJ rules and policies.
Visitor Checklist
- Confirm the offender is assigned to the unit you are planning to visit, has visitation privileges and that you are on the Visitors List.
- Bring valid identification (ID).
- Call prior to leaving. If you have made special arrangements with the unit, ensure that plans for your visit have been made and are in place.
- Check clothing for compliance with visiting rules and regulations.
- If you are bringing a child and you are not the legal guardian or parent, you MUST have the notarized statement from the child’s legal guardian or parent with you.
- Before leaving home, check your vehicle for contraband and/or hazardous items. This includes, but is not limited to, implements of escape, drug paraphernalia, illegal narcotics, intoxicants, poisons, any items that pose a danger to others, weapons, knives, scissors, firearms, and any item used to show a gang affiliation. Remove these items before entering the correctional facility grounds.
- Arrive on the designated day during proper visiting hours. Do not have any contraband on you when you enter the facility.
- Leave purses, food items, diaper bags, briefcases, cameras, baby strollers, toys, dolls, photographs, tobacco, lighters, matches, cell phones, pagers, or any other type of electronic/wireless devices in your vehicle.
- Be sure to secure (lock) your vehicle. Do not leave minor children waiting in the car while you visit, or your visit will be terminated.
- Remember to treat correctional staff with respect. Do not bring anything to the visiting room to give to the offender.
- Offenders are not permitted to take anything from the visiting area or receive any item from visitors.
Physical Address
George Beto Unit
1391 FM 3328
Tennessee Colony, TX 75880
Driving Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/fqqv91aNQcUyg1537
General Phone Number
(903) 928-2217
Inmate Mailing Address(es)
Inmate Name/DOC Number
George Beto Unit
1391 FM 3328
Tennessee Colony, TX 75880
Families and friends of offenders are encouraged to write often. Letters sent to offenders should include the offender’s name, TDCJ number, and unit address on the envelope.
All mail for offenders must be received through authorized channels. Letters for different offenders should not be included in the same envelope.
Mail is forwarded to offenders who transfer from one unit to another within TDCJ. Letters will be forwarded to offenders who are released from prison, if the offender provides a forwarding address at his last unit of assignment.
eMessages
Offenders can receive incoming eMessages. To register, please contact JPAY at 1-866-333- 5729 or www.jpay.com on the web. Only incoming mail is available. The offender is not allowed to return the eMessage.
Friends and family members must purchase electronic stamps on-line from www.jpay.com (the price of a US postage stamp). The message to the offender is completed on-line and sent to the JPAY facility interface. TDCJ unit mailroom staff download and review incoming messages, and upon approval, the messages are printed and delivered to the offender.
How to Call an Inmate
You can't call an inmate at George Beto 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 Inmate Trust Fund provides safekeeping of an offender’s funds, to which the offender may have access to, but not physical control of, during their confinement. Here are the options for depositing money into an inmate's trust fund account.
MONEY ORDERS or CASHIER’S CHECKS made payable to “Inmate Trust Fund for Offender Name and Number”
1. You may obtain deposit slips from the offender or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Inmate Trust Fund, PO Box 60, Huntsville, TX 77342-0060.
2. Send deposit and completed deposit slip to Inmate Trust Fund, PO Box 60, Huntsville, TX 77342-0060.
MONTHLY CHECKING ACCOUNT DEBIT (ACH) is a free service provided by TDCJ.
1. To have a set amount automatically debited from a personal checking account once each month for deposit to a specified offender. Debit transaction will occur on or around the 5th day of each month and credit to the Offender’s account on or around the 10th.
a. Complete an ACH authorization form http://www.tdcj.texas.gov/documents/finance/ACH Agreement.pdf).
b. Attach a voided check on the account to be debited.
c. Submit completed form with voided check to:
Inmate Trust Fund
PO Box 629
Huntsville, Texas 77342-0629.
2. Change ACH – complete an ACH stop/change form http://www.tdcj.texas.gov/documents/finance/ACH Change Form.pdf and send completed form to Inmate Trust Fund. Must be received 3-5 business days before the 5th day of the month.
ACCESS CORRECTIONS – SECURE DEPOSITS send money, your way! Choose the most convenient way to send money to your loved one at TDCJ Facilities for a service fee.
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 with ACE, AMERICA’S CASH EXPRESS available from anywhere in the United States. Deposit funds to an offender trust fund account for a service fee. Call 1.866.734.2306 or visit www.acecashexpress.com for the nearest ACE location.
ECOMMDIRECT is the secure way to make a deposit in an offender’s trust fund account. Visit www.texas.gov/eCommDirect, enter offender number, name, and confirm offender.
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. Senders can make cash deposits at any MoneyGram location nationwide using an Express Payment form and using RECEIVE CODE 3570.
TOUCHPAY PAYMENT SYSTEMS provides convenient ways to send money to your loved one; service fees apply.
1. Online: www.tdcjpayment.com
2. Telephone (toll-free): 1.877.868.5358 MasterCard and Visa credit/debit cards are accepted, as well as MoneyPak, which is a remote cash option available at retailers nationwide.
Visit https://www.moneypak.com/Partner/Payment.aspx/TouchPay for details and locations.
Note: Sender’s name and address are required when making a deposit to an offender’s account. Direct any questions to Inmate Trust Fund, telephone number 936.438.8990.
Only senders that are on the approved visitor list or Offender Telephone List will be allowed to deposit money to inmates. Cash and personal checks are not accepted and will be returned to the sender. Do not send trust fund deposits to the offender's facility of assignment and do not send offender's personal mail or other items to the Inmate Trust Fund.
Programs For Inmates
Agricultural Operations: Beto, Coffield, Gurney, Michael, and Powledge work in cooperation: Feedmill and Grain Storage, Farm Shop, Cow/Calf Operation, Poultry Laying Operation, Swine Farrowing/ Nursery/Finishing Operations, Pork Processing Plant, Security Horses, Security Pack Canines, Edible and Field Crops, and Unit Garden.
Manufacturing and Logistics Operations: Metal Sign Plant
Facility Operations: Region II (Northern Region) Maintenance Headquarters, Unit Maintenance
Additional Operations: Northern Region Offender Transportation; Scent-Specific Canines; Narcotic Canines; Laundry services provided for the Gurney Unit.
Medical Capabilities: Ambulatory medical, dental, and mental health services. Medical care available 24 hours, seven days a week. Forty-six bed assisted living infirmary, including two respiratory isolation rooms. Physical therapy, brace and limb clinic, chronic care clinic, Telemedicine, and Digital Medical Services (DMS) available. All services on a single level, including CPAP accommodating housing. Managed by UTMB.
Special Treatment Programs: Sex Offender Treatment Program (SOTP)
Educational Programs: Literacy (Adult Basic Education/GED), Special Education, CHANGES/Pre-Release, English as a Second Language, Cognitive Intervention
Career and Technology Programs: Mill and Cabinetmaking; Bricklaying/Stone Masonry; Construction Carpentry; Piping Trades/Plumbing; Welding
Trinity Valley Community College Vocational: Business Computers; Drafting; Electrical Technology; Electronics
Additional Programs/Services: Faith Based Dormitory, Adult Education Program (upon availability), Life Decisions Program, Peer Education, Reentry Planning, Chaplaincy Services, GO KIDS Initiative, Community Tours
Community Work Projects: Services provided to area school districts and local organizations.
Volunteer Initiatives: Literacy/Education, Employment/Job Skills, Substance Abuse Education, Life Skills, Parent Training, Support Groups, Religious/Faith Based Studies and Activities, Post-Release Housing
Pictures of George Beto Unit
Careers at George Beto Unit
To find out more information about a career with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and available jobs at George Beto Unit, click here.