TDCJ - Buster Cole State Jail (CL)

State Prison

Last Updated: February 19, 2024
Address
3801 Silo Rd, Bonham, TX 75418
Beds
900
County
Fannin
Phone
903-583-1100

Cole 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 - medium 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

Satellite View of TDCJ - Buster Cole State Jail (CL)

You can support your loved ones at Cole Unit on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 903-583-1100.

Located at 3801 Silo Rd in Bonham, TX, Cole Unit carefully assigns inmates based on their custody level, considering factors like criminal history. Cole 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 - Buster Cole State Jail (CL) 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.

The Cole Unit, a male correctional facility, has a capacity to accommodate 900 inmates and houses individuals across custody levels J1-J5, G2, and Transient status. It occupies approximately 697 acres, co-located with C. Moore, facilitating collaboration in agricultural operations. These operations include a Unit Garden, Contract Farming and Grazing, Security Horses, and the Unit Food Bank Garden Program, contributing to self-sustainability and vocational opportunities.

In terms of medical services, the Cole Unit provides ambulatory medical, dental, and mental health services, all managed by UTMB. These services are available on a single level, including housing that accommodates CPAP machines to support inmate health needs.

Educational programs at Cole encompass Literacy (Adult Basic Education/GED), CHANGES/Pre-Release, and Cognitive Intervention. The facility also offers Career and Technology Programs in Electrical Trades and Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration, providing inmates with valuable skills for potential employment upon release.

Additional services at Cole include a Faith-Based Dormitory, Adult Education Program (subject to availability), Fathers Reading Every Day (FRED) initiative, Chaplaincy Services, and the GO KIDS Initiative, which focuses on supporting inmates with children. Community engagement is facilitated through various work projects, offering services to city agencies, local organizations, the area food bank, the Texas Department of Transportation, and Texas Parks and Wildlife.

Volunteer initiatives play a crucial role in providing support and resources to inmates. These initiatives cover areas such as Substance Abuse Education, Literacy/Education, Support Groups, Employment/Job Skills, Life Skills, Parent Training, and Religious/Faith-Based Studies and Activities. Additionally, the Storybook Project aims to foster family connections by allowing inmates to record themselves reading stories for their children, enhancing emotional bonds and literacy skills.

Inmate Locator

Cole 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

Inmate Visitation

Visitation plays an important role in maintaining the association between inmates and their friends and family as well as strengthening family ties. Visitation Procedure Update (effective December 28, 2023)

Preparing for your visit:

Before you travel to a unit:

  • Confirm the inmate is assigned to the unit you are planning to visit and has visitation privileges.
    Inmate Information Search

  • Confirm the unit visitation schedule and verify that visitation has not been canceled. An eligible inmate cannot receive visitors if visitation has been canceled.

  • Do not bring cash (except coins, not more than $35).

  • No cell phones inside the secure perimeter.

  • Spiritual visits must be coordinated through the warden’s office.

Each inmate is only allowed one visit per weekend. To the extent possible, individuals on an inmate’s Visitors List should coordinate with one another and with the inmate to prevent subsequent visitors from being declined when they arrive at the unit.

General Information Guide for Families of Inmates (English/Español) - PDF
Inmate Rules and Regulations for Visitation (English/Español) - PDF

Ask The Inmate

Ask a former inmate questions at no charge. The inmate answering has spent considerable time in the federal prison system, state and county jails, and in a prison that was run by the private prison entity CCA. Ask your question or browse previous questions in response to comments or further questions of members of the InmateAid community.