TDCJ - Mark W. Michael Unit (MI)

TDCJ - Mark W. Michael Unit (MI) basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 903-928-2311

The inmates housed at Michael Unit located at 2664 FM 2054 in Tennessee Colony, TX are placed according to their custody level (determined by a number of factors including the past criminal history and the length of their sentence). There are ample educational and vocational training programs for all inmates, especially ones that show a willingness to learn new things that will prepare them for a better life when they are released. The mission is to promote and prepare the offender to leave in better shape than when they arrived, giving them the best chance to never come back and thus lower the state's recidivism rate.

Michael Unit is a mixed custody state prison consisting of inmates who range from minimum security to maximum custody levels operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). The Michael Unit is located in Tennessee Colony TX, it can house about 3,000 inmates (of which 10% are in the Trusty Camp). This facility is situated on over 20,000 acres and is co-located with Powledge, Beto, Coffield, and the Gurney Transfer Unit. The design on the facility is based on a modular pod, which allows for extended lock-downs, easy control of offenders, and both video and visual surveillance. Inmates at the Michael Unit can be housed in a pod with dormitories, double-bunked cells, single cells, or in segregation depending on the inmate's internal classification status.

Select inmates are allowed to work in agricultural operations that include raising cows and calves, swine, poultry laying, a feed and grain storage operation, in the processing of pork, farming edible crops, and caring for security horses and canines. Most offenders are eligible and encouraged to participate in the educational and vocational programs available here. These include adult basic education courses, literacy classes, and the ability to earn a GED during their incarceration. Vocational training provided includes horticulture, computers, plumbing, sheet metal fabrication, masonry, landscaping, air conditioning/refrigeration, and automotive electronics.

TDCJ - Mark W. Michael Unit - Parole Division
TDCJ - Mark W. Michael Unit - Specialized Programs
TDCJ - Mark W. Michael Unit - eComm/Inmate Commissary
TDCJ - Mark W. Michael Unit - Family Information Guide
TDCJ - Mark W. Michael Unit - Inmate Handbook

Offender Gender: Male Maximum Capacity *: Unit: 2,984
Trusty Camp: 321 Custody Levels Housed: G1-G5, Administrative Segregation, Outside Trusty, Safekeeping Approximate Acreage: 20,528 (Co-located with Coffield, Gurney, Powledge, and Beto) Agricultural Operations: Michael, Beto, Coffield, Gurney, and Powledge work in cooperation: Feedmill and Grain Storage, Farm Shop, Cow/Calf Operation, Poultry Laying Operations, Swine Farrowing/ Nursery/Finishing Operations, Pork Processing Plant, Security Horses, Security Pack Canines, Edible and Field Crops, and Unit Garden. Manufacturing and Logistics Op.: Mechanical Shop Facility Operations: Unit Maintenance Additional Operations: None Medical Capabilities: Ambulatory medical, dental, and mental health services. Medical care available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Chronic care clinics available. Twenty-four bed infirmary, including 22 hospice beds, one respiratory isolation room and one medical observation room. All services on a single level, including CPAP accommodating housing. Managed by UTMB. Educational Programs: Literacy (Adult Basic Education/GED), CHANGES/Pre-Release, Cognitive Intervention Career and Technology Programs: Automotive Specialization (Electronics); Piping Trades/Plumbing; Sheet Metal Trinity Valley Community College Vocational: Air Conditioning and Refrigeration; Business Computers; Horticulture; Landscaping; Masonry Additional Programs/Services: Adult Education Program (upon availability), Peer Education, Reentry Planning, Chaplaincy Services, Community Tours, Crime Stoppers, GO KIDS Initiative Community Work Projects: Services provided to county agencies and Texas Parks and Wildlife. Volunteer Initiatives: Substance Abuse Education, Mentoring, Life Skills, Support Groups, Religious/Faith Based Studies and Activities