Polunsky Unit- Allan B. Polunsky Unit is the highest security prison situated in West Livingston, unincorporated Polk County, Texas, in the United States. The Polunsky Unit was created in November,1993 to house more challenging and dangerous convicts It is situated along Farm to Market Road 350, about 5 miles southwest of Livingston.
The building was originally known as the Terrell Unit but was later renamed in honour of Allan B. Polunsky, a former head of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice.
Key Features of Polunsky Unit
The Polunsky Unit is one of the ten worst prisons in the United States. On its 472 acres of land, the site has 23 buildings which can hold around 3,900 inmates. The unit has a kitchen, a clinic for medical care, psychiatric examination rooms, and office space for classification.
There are pastures and trees in the neighbourhood. Large concrete buildings, several gates covered with razor wire, four-armed guard towers, and a variety of electronic surveillance sensors and tools- all serve to protect the inmates at Unit.
Treatment of Prisoners in the Polonsky Unit
The treatment of prisoners in Segregation and those on Death Row who are awaiting execution is particularly noteworthy in the Polunsky Unit. The most renowned and dangerous criminals in Texas who have committed horrifying crimes are housed in the Polunsky Unit.
Prisoners at the Polunsky range in security level from G-1, the lowest, to G-5, the highest, and Death Row. 2,984 male inmates can currently be housed in the Polunsky Unit. Offenders are encouraged to take part in educational programmes while they are incarcerated, including those for adult basic education, GED preparation, and reading. The CHANGES programme, which provides additional classes for prisoners getting ready for release, is available.
HVAC and refrigeration, millwork and cabinetry, electrical systems, carpentry, and transmission technician are some of the vocational skills offered at Polunsky. Offenders can also take parenting programmes, life skills training, and join support groups. These activities may not be open to prisoners who are housed in solitary confinement or who are presently on death row.
How to Write to Prisoners-
- By Mail
All mail is subject to a search for contraband. Photos that are 4″ x 6″ or less can be sent to inmates. It is not permitted to use Polaroid or other instant cameras. Prisoners can receive books, magazines, and other publications. Nudity and depictions of gang activities, such as flashing gang signs or gang tattoos, are prohibited in photos.
- By Calling
A list of authorised contacts that inmates are permitted to phone will be established. Periodically, these listings may be changed. A user must register with Texas Prison Phone in order to accept calls.
Calls from the Polunsky Unit cannot be received on prepaid cell phones or VOIP lines. Calls are typically limited to 20 minutes. Typically, the phone banks are open daily from 7 am until 10 pm.
- By Visiting
The inmate’s approved visitation list is required for all visitors at the Polunsky Unit. This list is created during intake and may be periodically updated. The full name, birthdate, and current address of a visitor must be provided by the inmate.
This information can be conveyed to the prisoner in a letter if they don’t already have it. A valid government-issued ID is required for all adult guests. A student ID or birth certificate must be presented by minors. The vehicles and all visitors will be searched.
- By Sending Money
Inmates at the Polunsky prison have access to MoneyGram, Western Union, online, phone, and postal money transfers. At any of their kiosks, one can deposit money via MoneyGram. The Quick Collect form must be filled out for Western Union deposits.
Conclusion
The perks to get connected with the outside world are given to vey minimum number of people at the Polunsky unit. Most of the prisoners get cruel living conditions at the Polunsky Unit the day of their execution, which can take anywhere from three years during the mandatory appeals procedure to decades for those who keep fighting.
There have been instances where people opted to forego appeals or even commit suicide rather than endure a life of suffering inside a concrete cage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1. What tangible items may be sent to the convicts in the Unit?
Answer – Books, periodicals, and other publications can be delivered to prisoners. These need to be shipped by a reliable company like Amazon or Barnes & Noble. There may only be paperback publications. Publications may not promote hatred or include nudity.
Question 2. How prisoners are tortured in the Unit?
Answer – Without access to phones, televisions, or contact visits, the convicts are kept in solitary confinement during a 22-hour daily lockdown. They are separated into various cages for their daily “recreation” hour to reduce the chance of human contact.
