The Garza-West Unit is a Texas state prison located in Beeville that is notorious for its history of violence, gang activity, and harsh conditions. With a capacity to house over 1,500 male inmates, Garza-West has developed a reputation as one of the toughest prisons in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system.
A Brief History of Garza-West Unit
The Garza-West Unit first opened in 1993 as an expansion of the Garza East Unit located next door. The unit was named after former Texas Department of Corrections director W.J. Estelle. Here are some key facts about the history of Garza-West:
- Built in 1993 at a cost of $44.7 million
- Initial capacity was 2,200 inmates
- Part of a larger “prison boom” in Texas in the 1990s
- Had a reputation for violence from the start
Overcrowding has been an ongoing issue at Garza-West. In the early 2000s, the unit housed nearly 3,000 inmates despite only having capacity for 2,200. Conditions worsened due to the overcrowding, contributing to more violence and unrest among the inmate population.
The Notorious Reputation of Garza-West
Almost since its inception, Garza-West has had a notorious reputation for being a violent, gang-run prison. Here are some of the factors that led to this reputation:
- Presence of major prison gangs like the Texas Syndicate, Aryan Brotherhood, and Mexican Mafia
- History of deadly inmate-on-inmate violence and homicides
- Correctional officers unable or unwilling to control gang activity and violence
- Contraband weapons and drugs routinely smuggled in
- Lockdowns and use of force commonplace
Between deadly riots, inmate homicides, and attacks on staff, Garza-West has seen a persistent level of violence and disorder over the decades. Gang politics, racial tensions, and overcrowding have all contributed to the volatile environment.
Notable Incidents of Violence
Some of the most notorious incidents that have occurred at Garza-West include:
- 1993 riot: Just months after opening, a racially charged riot broke out leaving one inmate dead and 12 injured.
- 2001 stabbing: 3 inmates died and 6 were injured in a coordinated attack by Mexican Mafia members against African American inmates.
- 2012 homicide: An Aryan Brotherhood member was beaten and stabbed to death by rival white inmates.
- 2013 attack: A correctional officer was attacked with sharpened bars of soap and beaten into a coma by an inmate.
- 2015 gang fight: Members of the Crips and Bloods prison gangs engaged in a brawl involving makeshift knives, resulting in 23 inmates being rushed to hospitals.
Contraband and Corruption
A major factor behind the violence and gang activity at Garza-West has been the widespread smuggling of contraband within the facility. Weapons, cell phones, and drugs are routinely trafficked by inmates and corrupt staff.
In 2022, a major shakedown found contraband including:
- 39 shanks and prison-made knives
- 67 cell phones
- Over 350 grams of methamphetamine and cocaine
At least 18 staff members have been arrested for smuggling banned items to inmates in exchange for bribes over the last decade. This flow of contraband empowers the prison gangs to continue operating their criminal enterprises from behind bars.
Living Conditions at Garza-West
The volatile environment has made living conditions within Garza-West harsh and oppressive for inmates, even by prison standards. Here is an overview:
Housing Units
- Housed in 17 dormitory-style housing areas
- Multi-occupancy cells holding up to 44 inmates
- Cells overcrowded with often 5-10 more inmates than bunks
- Little privacy or personal space
Security Measures
- Constant lockdowns and security checks after incidents
- Monitoring by surveillance cameras throughout unit
- Restrictions on inmate movement and group gatherings
- Searches and checkpoints when entering/exiting housing areas
Access to Amenities
- Limited access to phones, TV, and recreation time
- No air conditioning in housing areas
- Restricted visiting hours for family and friends
- Long waits for medical and mental health services
The crowded conditions, security measures, and lack of amenities contribute to a tense and volatile environment with little outlet for inmates.
Impact of Gang Culture
Prison gangs wield enormous power and influence at Garza-West, directly impacting day-to-day life for inmates.
Protection and Extortion Rackets
Inmates often join gangs like the Aryan Brotherhood and Texas Syndicate for protection. Gangs provide protection from rival groups, but then force inmates to pay “taxes” by extorting money and contraband items. Refusal to pay often results in violence or punishment.
Division along Racial Lines
The gangs have increased racial divides and tensions within the inmate population. Inmates are expected to stick with their own racial group or face consequences. Cross-racial interactions are rare.
Criminal Activities
Gangs are actively involved in organizing contraband smuggling, operating drug trafficking rings, carrying out hits on rivals, and coordinating gambling and extortion rackets even from within prison confines. Corrupt officers often facilitate these criminal activities.
Impact on Non-Gang Inmates
Inmates who are not affiliated with gangs face harassment, intimidation, exploitation, and the threat of violence on a daily basis. They must comply with gang rules or be punished through beatings, extortion, and worse.
Gang culture permeates every aspect of daily life at Garza-West. Refusing to join or cooperate with a gang makes serving time extremely dangerous.
Rehabilitation and Reentry Challenges
The volatile conditions within Garza-West make meaningful rehabilitation extremely difficult for inmates. Additionally, lack of reentry preparation leads to high rates of recidivism.
Lack of Educational and Vocational Programs
Access to classes, counseling, treatment, and vocational training is very limited at Garza-West. Most inmates pass time idle or working menial prison jobs for just $9-$20 per month.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Issues
An estimated 30-60% of Garza-West inmates suffer from mental illness or drug/alcohol addiction. Treatment resources are scarce within the prison system.
Release without Transition Planning
Many inmates are released directly from maximum security with less than $100 in “gate money”, no housing or job prospects, no mental health or addiction treatment plan, and no parole officer supervision.
High Recidivism Rates
Within 3 years of release, around 48% of inmates from units like Garza-West wind up back in the Texas prison system due to parole violations, new charges, or rearrests. The lack of rehabilitation makes reoffending more likely.
Meaningful reforms are needed to help inmates transition successfully when their sentences end and break the cycle of reincarceration.
Initiatives to Reduce Violence and Improve Conditions
In response to the ongoing violence, lawsuits, and human rights complaints, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice has implemented various initiatives at Garza West aimed at improving security, safety, and conditions.
Cell Phone Interdiction
Installing technology to block illegal cell phone signals which inmates use to direct criminal activities both inside and outside prison walls.
New Leadership
Bringing in new wardens with reputations for reducing violence and disciplinary infractions. Warden Mark Adcock was hired in 2021 specifically to crack down at Garza-West.
Facility Upgrades
Upgrading the prison facility itself, including renovating housing areas, expanding space for rehabilitation programs, and installing air conditioning.
Gang Renunciation
Creating a “GRASP” program encouraging inmates to renounce their gang affiliation in exchange for better housing and privileges. Over 300 gang members at Garza-West have completed renunciation.
Oversight
Increasing oversight efforts through monitoring use of force incidents, investigating corruption, and auditing operational practices.
While these initiatives have shown some progress, lasting change takes time. Meaningful reform requires sustained effort, funding, and political will in order to transform prison culture and improve public safety.
Life After Release from Garza-West
For inmates serving time at Garza-West, release from prison can be both liberating and extremely challenging. Here is what former inmates face after serving their sentences:
Readjusting to Society
After months or years of regimented prison life, becoming a functioning member of society again poses difficulties. Technology, slang, and cultural references can be entirely foreign.
Finding Work
Most employers are reluctant to hire felons. Many former inmates struggle to find stable employment that pays a living wage, especially those with limited education or job skills.
Housing Insecurity
Securing affordable housing with a criminal record is difficult. Many end up in temporary shelters, transitional homes, or on the streets.
Parole Requirements
Even after release, parole oversight brings restrictions (like curfews, travel limits, bans on drug/alcohol use) that complicate reentry. Violating parole can easily land someone back in prison.
Stigma and Barriers
The stigma of having been in prison makes it hard to reconnect with family or find community. Ex-offenders face legal barriers to public housing, student loans, voting rights and more.
Successfully transitioning after incarceration at Garza-West requires overcoming many psychological, social, and economic hurdles. Support systems and rehabilitation resources are often sorely lacking.
Conclusion
While Garza-West was built to increase prison capacity in Texas, overcrowding, understaffing, and lack of oversight led to it becoming notorious for gang violence, deadly riots, contraband trafficking, and inhumane conditions. Meaningful reforms are still needed to improve safety, bolster rehabilitation programs, and prevent released inmates from ending up back behind bars. Transforming prison culture and better preparing inmates for reentry can help break the cycle of violence and recidivism plaguing the unit. With sustained focus, Texas can turn Garza-West into a facility where inmates are given opportunities to change their lives rather than fall deeper into the criminal underworld.