TDCJ COVID-19 Cases Start to Decline

Both Offender and Employee Cases Drop

By Will Johnson

Messenger Reporter

EAST TEXAS –The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) is a major employer in both Anderson and Houston Counties. Prison facilities employ a significant number of workers and there are at least 20 prisons in the area to where people commute on a daily basis, including units in Huntsville, Rusk and Tennessee Colony.

Even though some prisons throughout the state have not yet seen a case of COVID-19, most others have – 94% as of Aug. 13. After a spike at the end of May, the numbers showed a steady decrease in the month of June. Unfortunately, as June rolled into July, the numbers started to climb. Then, when the midpoint of July hit, they dropped significantly. By the end of the month, however, the numbers were creeping back up. Now, as the middle of August approaches, the numbers are beginning to drop.   

On June 4, there were 4,570 positive cases of COVID-19. A week later, prison officials reported the number of offenders testing positive for the virus had fallen to 3,520. On June 25, the latest update reflected 617 active cases as well as an additional 6,625 recoveries. Two weeks later, on July 9, TDCJ officials reported 3,257 active cases as well as 7,428 recoveries. By July 16, however, the numbers dropped to 2,241 active cases while recoveries went up to 9,438. On Aug. 13, there were 2,896 active cases (3,788 last week) and 14,919 recoveries.  

The Messenger first started tracking COVID-19 cases within the prison population on April 16. At that time there had been 531 tests administered which revealed 327 positive cases and 204 negative results. There were also 31 pending tests on April 16. 

Three weeks later – on May 7 – the numbers showed a drastic increase. There were 244 pending tests. Of the other 1,536 tests given to offenders, there were 965 positive results and 571 negative results.

The numbers continued to climb as TDCJ reported the total number of positive cases had gone from 3,408 on May 28 to 4,570 active cases on Thursday, June 4.

Just as the number of offenders testing positive for COVID-19 has decreased since last week, the number of TDCJ employees testing positive has also started to fall. On June 4, 991 employees tested positive. By June 11, there were only 386 active cases among employees. On Thursday, June 25, TDCJ reported 385 active cases among employees as well as 908 recoveries. Three weeks later, on July 16, TDCJ officials reported 1,126 active cases among employees as well as 1,207 recoveries. On Aug. 13, there were 1,266 active cases (1,357 last week) and 2,652 recoveries.

When The Messenger first started tracking the TDCJ numbers on April 16, 158 employees and contract staff had tested positive for the virus while 647 tested negative. There are also 259 pending tests.

By May 7, 535 TDCJ employees had tested positive for the virus. Nearly 1,524 had tested negative and there were 424 pending tests. Three weeks later on May 28, 888 TDCJ employees had tested positive for the virus.

There are six regions in the TDCJ system along with private facilities, a multi-use facility and parole confinement facilities. Anderson County and Houston County fall in Region II and Region I, respectively.

In Region I there are 13 prison units, with one inside of Houston County and seven more relatively close to the county boundaries. These units are: Eastham; Ellis; Estelle; Ferguson; Goree; Holliday; Huntsville; and Wynne. 

In Region II there are also 13 prison units, with five inside of Anderson County. These units are: Beto; Coffield; Gurney Transfer; Michael; and Powledge.

Using the TDCJ categories of offender active cases, recoveries, medical isolation, employee active cases and employee recoveries, the 13 area prisons showed the following results.  

In Region I: 

Eastham Unit (Lovelady) – On Aug. 13, there were: 4 active cases; 171 recoveries; and 195 offenders on medical restriction. There were also 14 active cases among TDCJ employees and 21 recoveries. On July 30, there were: 12 active cases; 106 recoveries; and 12 offenders in medical isolation. There were also 6 active case among TDCJ employees and 20 recoveries. On June 25, there were: 0 active cases; 103 recoveries; and 1 offender in medical isolation. There was also 1 active case among TDCJ employees and 18 recoveries. Beginning on April 16, there were: 0 positive tests; 0 medical restriction; and 0 medical isolation. On May 28, there were: 20 positive tests; 56 recoveries; 934 medical restriction; and 20 medical isolation. There were also 17 TDCJ employees who tested positive for COVID-19.

Ellis Unit (Huntsville area) – On Aug. 13, there were: 2 active cases; 321 recoveries; and 237 offenders on medical restriction. There were also 21 active cases among TDCJ employees and 52 recoveries. On July 30, there was: 1 active cases; 333 recoveries; and 1 offender in medical isolation. There were also 20 active case among TDCJ employees and 46 recoveries.  On June 25, there were: 0 active cases; 326 recoveries; and 1 offender in medical isolation. There were also 9 active case among TDCJ employees and 37 recoveries. Beginning on April 16, there were: 61 positive tests; 106 medical restriction; and 1 medical isolation. On May 28, there were: 75 recoveries; 193 positive tests; 1,846 medical restriction; and 193 medical isolation. There were also 28 TDCJ employees who tested positive for COVID-19.

Estelle Unit (Huntsville area) – On Aug. 13, there were: 157 active cases; 605 recoveries; and 1,477 offenders on medical restriction. There was also 46 active cases among TDCJ employees and 86 recoveries. On July 30, there were: 56 active cases; 576 recoveries; and 58 offenders in medical isolation. There were also 47 active cases among TDCJ employees and 63 recoveries. On June 25, there were: 25 active cases; 411 recoveries; and 10 offenders in medical isolation. There were also 7 active case among TDCJ employees and 30 recoveries. Beginning on April 16, there were: 52 positive tests; 1,487 medical restriction; and 5 medical isolation. There were also 6 TDCJ employees who tested positive for COVID-19. On May 28, there were: 54 recoveries; 227 positive tests; 1,411 medical restriction; and 232 medical isolation. There were also 10 TDCJ employees who tested positive for COVID-19.

Ferguson Unit (Midway) – On Aug. 13, there was: 1 active case; 426 recoveries; and 487 offenders on medical restriction. There were also 27 active cases among TDCJ employees and 109 recoveries. On July 30, there were: 377 active cases; 53 recoveries; and 377 offenders in medical isolation. There were also 87 active cases among TDCJ employees and 43 recoveries. On June 25, there were: 0 active cases; 5 recoveries; and 0 offenders in medical isolation. There were also 0 active case among TDCJ employees and 2 recoveries. Beginning on April 16, there were: 0 positive tests; 0 medical restriction; and 0 medical isolation. On May 28, there were: 0 positive tests; 0 medical restriction; and 0 medical isolation.

Goree Unit (Huntsville) – On Aug. 13, there were: 0 active cases; 66 recoveries; and 0 offenders on medical restriction. There were also 6 active cases among TDCJ employees and 13 recoveries. On July 30, there were: 0 active cases; 68 recoveries; and 0 offenders in medical isolation. There were also 4 active cases among TDCJ employees and 10 recoveries. On June 25, there were: 0 active cases; 47 recoveries; and 0 offenders in medical isolation. There were also 4 active case among TDCJ employees and 6 recoveries. Beginning on April 16, there were: 2 positive tests; 62 medical restriction and 2 medical isolation. On May 28, there were: 22 recoveries; 3 positive tests; 106 medical restriction; and 3 medical isolation. There were also 7 TDCJ employees who tested positive for COVID-19.

Holliday Transfer (Huntsville) – On Aug. 13, there were: 0 active cases; 365 recoveries; and 0 offenders on medical restriction. There were also 10 active cases among TDCJ employees and 28 recoveries. On July 30, there were: 8 active cases; 266 recoveries; and 8 offenders in medical isolation. There were also 11 active cases among TDCJ employees and 26 recoveries. On June 25, there were: 0 active cases; 247 recoveries; and 1 offender in medical isolation. There was also 1 active case among TDCJ employees and 14 recoveries. Beginning on April 16, there were: 0 positive tests; 0 medical restriction; and 0 medical isolation. There was also 1 TDCJ employee who tested positive for COVID-19. On May 28, there were: 22 recoveries; 82 positive tests; 552 medical restriction; and 481 medical isolation. There were also 7 TDCJ employees who tested positive for COVID-19.

Huntsville Unit – On Aug. 13, there were: 0 active cases; 260 recoveries; and 159 offenders on medical restriction. There were also 4 active cases among TDCJ employees and 18 recoveries. On July 30, there was: 1 active case; 261 recoveries; and 1 offender in medical isolation. There were also 6 active cases among TDCJ employees and 15 recoveries. On June 25, there were: 6 active cases; 198 recoveries; and 7 offenders in medical isolation. There were also 5 active case among TDCJ employees and 5 recoveries. Beginning on April 16, there were: 0; 0 positive tests; 2 medical restriction; and 0 medical isolation. On May 28, there were: 36 recoveries; 68 positive tests; 593 medical restriction; and 80 medical isolation. There were also 1 TDCJ employees who tested positive for COVID-19

Wynne Unit (Huntsville) – On Aug. 13, there were: 0 active cases; 339 recoveries; and 628 offenders on medical restriction. There were also 14 active cases among TDCJ employees and 89 recoveries. On July 30, there were: 0 active cases; 335 recoveries; and 0 offenders in medical isolation. There were also 12 active cases among TDCJ employees and 84 recoveries. On June 25, there were: 3 active cases; 307 recoveries; and 3 offenders in medical isolation. There were also 4 active case among TDCJ employees and 68 recoveries. Beginning on April 16, there were: 38 positive tests; 1,830 medical restriction; and 39 medical isolation. There were also 14 TDCJ employee who tested positive for COVID-19. On May 28, there were: 68 recoveries; 197 positive tests; 1,573 medical restriction; and 197 medical isolation. There were also 37 TDCJ employees who tested positive for COVID-19.

In Region II:

Beto Unit (Palestine area) – On Aug. 13, there were: 2 active cases; 315 recoveries; and 0 offenders on medical restriction. There were also 5 active cases among TDCJ employees and 62 recoveries. On July 30, there was: 1 active case; 307 recoveries; and 1 offender in medical isolation. There were also 6 active cases among TDCJ employees and 57 recoveries. On June 25, there were: 1 active cases; 299 recoveries; and 1 offender in medical isolation. There were also 5 active cases among TDCJ employees and 49 recoveries. Beginning on April 16, there were: 118 positive tests; 2,346 medical restriction; and 118 medical isolation. There was also 1 TDCJ employee who tested positive for COVID-19. On May 28, there were: 156 recoveries; 55 positive tests; 437 medical restriction; and 58 medical isolation. There were also 31 TDCJ employees who tested positive for COVID-19.

Coffield Unit (Palestine area) – On Aug. 13, there were: 9 active cases; 801 recoveries; and 1,237 offenders on medical restriction. There were also 35 active cases among TDCJ employees and 29 recoveries. On July 30, there were: 42 active cases; 759 recoveries; and 44 offenders in medical isolation. There were also 29 active cases among TDCJ employees and 26 recoveries. On June 25, there were: 5 active cases; 4 recoveries; and 7 offenders in medical isolation. There were also 3 active case among TDCJ employees and 3 recoveries. Beginning on April 16, there were: 0 positive tests; 2 medical restriction; and 0 medical isolation. On May 28, there were: 0 recoveries; 0 positive tests; 0 medical restriction; and 0 medical isolation. There was also 1 TDCJ employee who tested positive for COVID-19.

Gurney Transfer (Palestine area) – On Aug. 13, there were: 15 active cases; 226 recoveries; and 187 offenders on medical restriction. There were also 12 active cases among TDCJ employees and 15 recoveries. On July 30, there were: 3 active cases; 156 recoveries; and 3 offenders in medical isolation. There were also 3 active cases among TDCJ employees and 11 recoveries. On June 25, there were: 0 active cases; 140 recoveries; and 1 offender in medical isolation. There were also 2 active case among TDCJ employees and 6 recoveries. Beginning on April 16, there was: 1 positive test; 81 medical restriction; and 1 medical isolation. On May 28, there were: 30 recoveries; 98 positive tests; 556 medical restriction; and 98 medical isolation. There were also 7 TDCJ employees who tested positive for COVID-19.

Michael Unit (Palestine area) – On Aug. 13, there were: 2 active cases; 421 recoveries; and 106 offenders on medical restriction. There were also 14 active cases among TDCJ employees and 68 recoveries. On July 30, there were: 7 active cases; 425 recoveries; and 7 offender in medical isolation. There were also 8 active cases among TDCJ employees and 64 recoveries. On June 25, there were: 5 active cases; 425 recoveries; and 9 offenders in medical isolation. There were also 13 active case among TDCJ employees and 50 recoveries. Beginning on April 16, there were: 0 positive tests; 0 medical restriction; and 0 medical isolation. On May 28, there were: 52 recoveries; 287 positive tests; 1,145 medical restriction; and 293 medical isolation. There were also 35 TDCJ employees who tested positive for COVID-19.

Powledge Unit (Palestine area) – On Aug. 13, there were: 0 active cases; 3 recoveries; and 52 offenders on medical restriction. There were also 3 active cases among TDCJ employees and 8 recoveries. On July 30, there were: 0 active cases; 3 recoveries; and 0 offenders in medical isolation. There were 7 active cases among TDCJ employees and 2 recoveries. On June 25, there were: 0 active cases; 2 recoveries; and 1 offender in medical isolation. There was also 1 active case among TDCJ employees and 1 recovery. Beginning on April 16, there were: 0 positive tests; 0 medical restriction; and 0 medical isolation. On May 28, there were: 0 recoveries; 0 positive tests; 0 medical restriction; and 0 medical isolation.

Since TDCJ began tracking the pandemic, system wide, 181,679 tests have been administered to offenders. Of those tested, 18,591 offenders have been positive for COVID-19. Of those who tested positive, 14,919 have recovered, 117 have presumably died because of the virus and there are 44 pending autopsies.

For TDCJ employees, 58.384 tests have been administered. Of those tested, 3,935 employees have been positive for COVID-19. Of those who tested positive, 2,652 have recovered and 17 have presumably died because of the virus. 

Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].