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TDCJ - Beauford H. Jester IV Unit - Psychiatric Facility (J4)

State Prison

Last Updated: May 01, 2025

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Address

4 Jester Rd, Richmond, TX 77406

Beds

550

County

Fort Bend

Phone

281-277-3700

View Official Website

Beauford H. Jester IV Unit is for State Prison offenders sentenced anywhere from one year to life by the State Court in the county where the charges were filed

All prisons and jails have Security or Custody levels depending on the inmate’s classification, sentence, and criminal history. Please review the rules and regulations for State - low facility.

The phone carrier is Securus Tech®, to see their rates and best-calling plans for your inmate to call you.

If you are unsure of your inmate's location, you can search and locate your inmate by typing in their last name, first name or first initial, and/or the offender ID number to get their accurate information immediately Registered Offenders

Looking for an inmate at this facility? Visitation Information, Times and Rules

Satellite View of TDCJ - Beauford H. Jester IV Unit - Psychiatric Facility (J4)

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You can support your loved ones at Beauford H. Jester IV Unit on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 281-277-3700.

Located at 4 Jester Rd in Richmond, TX, Beauford H. Jester IV Unit carefully assigns inmates based on their custody level, considering factors like criminal history. Beauford H. Jester IV Unit offers diverse educational and vocational programs aimed at equipping offenders for successful reintegration into society and reducing recidivism. Through these initiatives, inmates gain skills and confidence, fostering personal growth and resilience.

When someone you care about ends up in a state prison, it can be tough to navigate the ins and outs of the system. From figuring out how to stay in touch to understanding what you can do to make their time easier, it can feel overwhelming. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get the lowdown on TDCJ - Beauford H. Jester IV Unit - Psychiatric Facility (J4) so you can stay connected and support your loved one during their time inside.

Communication is important, the prison offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

While incarcerated, reading is often the best use of time. Please note that books and magazines, puzzles, and word searches ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. Prisons and jails enforce this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

Beauford H. Jester IV Unit is a state prison located in Richmond TX co-located on 933 acres of land in the middle of a cornfield with two other Texas Department of Corrections (TDCJ) units Jester I and Jester III. The unit was established in 1993. The facility has wide hallways and has skylights and floor to ceiling windows. The cement walls have murals made by prisoners that depict wildlife.

Jester IV is classified as a Psychiatric Facility and houses about 550 male inmates at a mental health custody level. They are among the most mentally ill and violent prisoners in the TDCJ. While male death row prisoners are normally housed in the Polunsky Unit near Livingston, TX, eight are instead housed in Jester IV.

While some of the offenders at Jester IV are housed for long periods, most of the offenders are housed for short periods of time while their behavior and mental health are stabilized, at which point they return to their original unit.

Support groups, religious worship services and activities are provided to offenders who wish to participate. Medical, dental, and psychiatric services are provided to all offenders.

TDCJ - Beauford H. Jester IV Unit - Parole Division
TDCJ - Beauford H. Jester IV Unit - Specialized Programs
TDCJ - Beauford H. Jester IV Unit - eComm/Inmate Commissary
TDCJ - Beauford H. Jester IV Unit - Family Information Guide
TDCJ - Beauford H. Jester IV Unit - Inmate Handbook

Custody Levels Housed: Mental Health Approximate Acreage: 933 (Co-located with Jester I, Jester III, and Vance) Agricultural Operations: None Manufacturing and Logistics Op.: None Facility Operations: Unit Maintenance Additional Operations: None Medical Capabilities: Ambulatory medical, dental, and in-patient mental health services. Medical care available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Digital Medical Services (DMS), electronic specialty clinics, chronic care clinic, and CPAP accommodating housing available. There are 550 in-patient mental health beds available. All services on a single level. Managed by UTMB. Educational Programs: Special Education Alvin Community College Vocational: Food Service Preparation Additional Programs/Services: Adult Education Program (upon availability), Chaplaincy Services, GO KIDS Initiative Community Work Projects: None Volunteer Initiatives: Life Skills, Religious/Faith Based Studies and Activities

Table of Contents for Beauford H. Jester IV Unit

Inmate Locator

Beauford H. Jester IV Unit maintains a database of current inmates and their locations within the system. To locate an inmate, begin by using the DOC locator tool, which requires entering the first three letters of the inmate's first and last name, allowing for variations in spelling.

If unable to locate the desired information through free resources, users may opt to use the Arrest Record Search, which requires payment. While this option incurs a small fee, it provides access to the most up-to-date data available.

Get an Arrest Record immediately.

Visitation Information

Beauford H. Jester IV Unit - Visitation

Saturdays and Sundays - 8 am to 5 pm

Visits are two hours in duration and limited to one visit per weekend. The type of visit will depend on the inmate's internal status, which will determine if they are eligible for contact or non-contact visits. All visitors are encouraged to contact the facility before they visit to ensure visitation has not been canceled and that their inmate is still currently located at the unit.

Any visitor who is traveling over 300 miles to attend visitation may qualify for a special visit. Special visits allow for a longer visiting session to occur. Contact the warden's office for more information and to request a special visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

TDCJ - Beauford H. Jester IV Unit - Psychiatric Facility (J4) – FAQs

What is a state prison?
A state prison is a correctional facility operated by the Texas Department of Corrections, housing individuals convicted of state crimes. Inmates typically serve sentences longer than one year. State prisons have different security levels and provide rehabilitation, education, and work programs.
How do state prisons differ from federal prisons?
State prisons hold offenders convicted of crimes under state laws, while federal prisons house those convicted of federal offenses. State prisons are managed by state DOCs and vary in policies, security levels, and resources. Federal prisons, run by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP), often have more structured programs and uniform policies nationwide.
What are the different security levels in state prisons?
State prisons are classified as minimum, medium, or maximum security, based on inmate risk assessments. Minimum-security facilities house non-violent offenders with lower risks. Medium-security prisons have higher security protocols and structured daily routines. Maximum-security prisons, or supermax facilities, house the most dangerous offenders with strict confinement measures.
How are inmates classified in state prisons?
Classification is based on criminal history, sentence length, behavior, and medical or mental health needs. The DOC assesses inmates upon intake to determine their housing assignment, work eligibility, and rehabilitative program access. Inmates may be reclassified based on behavior or security concerns.
What types of programs are offered in state prisons?
State prisons offer GED courses, vocational training, substance abuse counseling, mental health treatment, religious programs, and work release opportunities. Many prisons collaborate with colleges and trade schools to provide certificates in fields such as welding, plumbing, and computer technology.
Can inmates earn early release from state prisons?
Some inmates qualify for parole, good behavior credits, or sentence reduction programs. State laws determine eligibility based on offense type, institutional behavior, and participation in rehabilitation programs. Some states offer compassionate release for elderly or terminally ill inmates.
How do state prisons handle medical care for inmates?
Inmates receive basic medical, dental, and mental health care inside the facility. For specialized care, they may be transported to hospitals under security escort. State DOCs often contract with private healthcare providers such as Corizon Health, Wellpath, and Centurion Health.
Are state prison inmates allowed to work?
Yes, inmates can work within the prison (kitchen, janitorial, maintenance) or in prison industries (manufacturing, farming, sewing, furniture-making). Some states allow inmates to participate in work-release programs, where they work outside the prison and return at night. Inmate workers may earn small wages (often $0.10 to $2.00 per hour) depending on the job.
What are the visitation rules for state prisons?
Visitation varies by facility but generally requires pre-approval of visitors, background checks, dress codes, and scheduled visiting hours. Some prisons allow contact visits (where inmates and visitors can hug or hold hands), while others allow only non-contact visits (separated by glass). Video visitation services are provided by companies like GTL (ViaPath), Securus, and IC Solutions.
Can inmates receive mail and packages?
Yes, inmates can receive letters, photos, and books, but all mail is screened for contraband. Some state prisons require mail to be sent through third-party processors, which convert letters into digital copies. Packages with clothing or hygiene items must often be ordered through approved vendors like Access Securepak, InmateCanteen, JailCanteen, iCareGifts, MyCarePack or Union Supply Group.
How do phone calls work in state prisons?
Inmates can make outgoing calls to approved numbers through prison phone services, but cannot receive calls. Calls are typically monitored and recorded. Services like GTL (ViaPath), Securus, and IC Solutions provide prepaid accounts for families to deposit funds for calls. Some states offer tablet-based calls with limited messaging services.
What are the disciplinary rules in state prisons?
Inmates must follow prison regulations regarding behavior, movement, and interactions with staff and other inmates. Infractions like fighting, possession of contraband, or rule violations can result in loss of privileges, solitary confinement, or additional time added to their sentence.
Do state prisons offer religious services?
Yes, state prisons have chaplains and religious volunteers who provide services for various faiths. Many facilities offer Bible study groups, prayer meetings, and religious dietary accommodations for inmates who follow specific religious beliefs.
How does parole work in state prisons?
Inmates eligible for parole must appear before a parole board, which reviews their behavior, program participation, and risk to society. If granted parole, inmates serve the remainder of their sentence under supervision in the community, following specific rules such as curfews and employment requirements.
Can inmates transfer between state prisons?
Yes, inmates may be transferred for medical needs, security risks, disciplinary actions, or administrative reasons. Some may request transfers to be closer to family, but approvals depend on facility capacity and eligibility requirements.
What happens when an inmate finishes their sentence?
Inmates released from state prison may receive reentry services, such as job training, housing assistance, and substance abuse counseling. Some states require certain inmates to remain under supervision (such as parole or probation) after release.
Are state prisons overcrowded?
Many states struggle with overcrowding due to high incarceration rates. Solutions include alternative sentencing programs, early release initiatives, and building new facilities to accommodate growing populations.
How can family members send money to an inmate?
Families can deposit funds into an inmate’s commissary account through services like JPay, ConnectNetwork, or Access Corrections. Money is used for purchasing snacks, hygiene items, and phone calls. Some states have limits on how much an inmate can receive per month.
Do state prisons offer educational opportunities?
Yes, many prisons provide GED classes, college courses, and vocational training programs. Some offer Pell Grants for inmates to take college-level courses. Popular vocational programs include auto repair, HVAC, and culinary arts.
Can inmates be placed in protective custody?
Yes, inmates who are at risk of harm due to gang conflicts, former law enforcement ties, or other safety concerns can be placed in protective custody (PC). These inmates are housed separately from the general population, often with limited movement and privileges for their safety.

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