How Many Prisons Are in Texas?

Texas has one of the largest prison populations and the most prisons of any U.S. state. As of 2023, there are over 140 state prisons, private prisons, federal prisons, and other detention facilities located throughout Texas.

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History of the Texas Prison System

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) oversees all state-run adult correctional facilities in Texas. The origins of the Texas prison system date back to 1848, when the state opened its first penitentiary in Huntsville.

In the decades that followed, the TDCJ expanded to operate additional facilities across Texas to house the state’s growing inmate population. Significant growth periods for the Texas prison system included:

1867-1882: Texas constructed six new state prisons.
1910s-1920s: The state added several new units focused on housing youth and women prisoners.
1980s-1990s: Texas opened over 20 new prison facilities in response to harsher sentencing laws and the War on Drugs.

Today, the majority of TDCJ prisons are located in rural areas across Texas. Most state facilities were built between 1950-2000.

Total Number of Prisons in Texas

There are 108 state-run prisons in Texas under the authority of TDCJ as of 2023. This includes:

87 male prison units
10 female prison units
2 co-gender units
9 transfer facilities

Here is the total number of prisons in Texas by type:

Prison Type	Number of Facilities
State-Run Prisons	108
Private Prisons	11
Federal Prisons	19
County Jails	234
Other Detention Centers	4+
Total Prisons in Texas	376+

Texas has one of the largest numbers of prisons of any state in the country. Only California, with well over 100 facilities, has more state prisons than Texas.

When county jails, federal prisons, private prisons, and other detention facilities are factored in, there are over 376 different prisons located in the state of Texas.

Major State Prisons in Texas

The TDCJ operates dozens of different state prison units. Some of the major men’s and women’s prisons in Texas include:

Large Men’s Prisons

Beto Unit – Tennessee Colony – 3,940 prisoners
Coffield Unit – Tennessee Colony – 4,021 prisoners
Connally Unit – Kenedy – 3,074 prisoners
Ellis Unit – Huntsville – 2,016 prisoners
Estelle Unit – Huntsville – 3,082 prisoners
Ferguson Unit – Midway – 2,467 prisoners
Hodge Unit – Rusk – 1,368 prisoners
Huntsville Unit – Huntsville – 1,082 prisoners
Michael Unit – Tennessee Colony – 1,977 prisoners
Pack Unit – Navasota – 1,479 prisoners
Ramsey Unit – Rosharon – 1,797 prisoners
Terrell Unit – Rosharon – 2,610 prisoners

Major Women’s Prisons

Crain Unit – Gatesville – 1,438 prisoners
Dr. Lane Murray Unit – Gatesville – 1,508 prisoners
Hilltop Unit – Gatesville – 1,337 prisoners
Mountain View Unit – Gatesville – 1,508 prisoners

The largest men’s prisons in Texas house over 3,000-4,000 prisoners each in dorm-style housing units. The women’s prisons have capacities closer to 1,500 prisoners each.

Private Prisons in Texas

In addition to state-run prisons, Texas contracts with private prison companies to operate secure adult correctional facilities:

Big Spring Correctional Center – GEO Group – 3,258 capacity
Bridgeport Correctional Center – MTC – 518 capacity
Bartlett State Jail – CoreCivic – 1,049 capacity
Bradshaw State Jail – MTC – 2,103 capacity
Dawson State Jail – CoreCivic – 2,216 capacity
East Texas Multi-Use Facility – GEO Group – 1,900 capacity
East Texas Treatment Facility – GEO Group – 1,000 capacity
Lindsey State Jail – CoreCivic – 1,031 capacity
Mineral Wells Pre-Parole Transfer – Corrections Corporation of America – 2,103 capacity
Sanders Estes Unit – GEO Group – 1,080 capacity
Willacy State Jail – MTC – 1,069 capacity

Private prisons house around 10% of the total Texas inmate population. The state has contracted with prison companies since the late 1980s to provide additional bed space.

Federal Prisons in Texas

Texas has 19 different federal prisons operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP):

Bureau Detention Center – Houston
Carswell FMC – Fort Worth
Bastrop FCI – Bastrop
Beaumont FCI – Beaumont
Big Spring CI – Big Spring
Bryan FPC – Bryan
Carswell FMC – Fort Worth
El Reno FCI – El Reno
Fort Worth FMC – Fort Worth
La Tuna FCI – Anthony
Seagoville FCI – Seagoville
Three Rivers FCI – Three Rivers
Texarkana FCI – Texarkana
Reeves County Detention Camps I & II – Pecos
Joe Corley Detention Facility – Conroe
Eden Detention Center – Eden
Dalby Correctional Facility – Post
Giles W. Dalby Correctional Facility – Post

These facilities have a mix of security levels, including low, medium, and high. Several BOP prisons in Texas also have adjacent minimum security satellite camps for inmates nearing release.

County & Other Detention Facilities

With 254 counties in the state, Texas has hundreds of county jails and other detention centers:

234 county jails managed by sheriff’s offices
17 SAFPF substance abuse treatment facilities
5 private detention centers housing inmates for U.S. Marshals, ICE, etc.
Several US military corrections facilities

The largest county jails are found near major cities like Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, and Fort Worth. Harris County Jail in Houston is the largest in Texas with a capacity exceeding 9,000 inmates.

Distribution of Prisons in Texas

Prisons are located across Texas, with certain regions of the state housing more facilities:

East Texas Region – Highest concentration of state prisons, including Huntsville and Tennessee Colony.
North Texas Region – Many federal and private prisons near Dallas-Fort Worth metro.
West Texas Region – Home to federal prisons and facilities for ICE detainees.
Central Texas Region – Numerous county jails around cities like Austin and San Antonio.
South Texas Region – Lower concentration of prisons compared to other parts of Texas.

The map below shows the approximate locations of major state, federal, and private prisons in Texas:

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(Image Source: Texas Tribune)

The rural areas of Huntsville, Tennessee Colony, Richmond, Dayton, Beeville, Kenedy, Rusk, and Navasota have significant concentrations of larger TDCJ prison units.

Private prisons are clustered near the I-20 corridor south of Dallas and west Texas towns along I-10.

Why Does Texas Have So Many Prisons?

There are several reasons why Texas has one of the largest prison populations and most prisons of any U.S. state:

High Incarceration Rates

Texas has a high violent crime rate and incarceration rate relative to other states.
Over 140,000 inmates were in Texas prisons as of 2020.
Texas incarcerates over 600 inmates per 100,000 residents – one of the highest rates in the U.S.

Harsh Sentencing Laws

Texas has stringent sentencing guidelines that require long prison terms for many offenses.
About 1 in 10 Texas inmates are serving life sentences.
Texas eliminated parole for many new inmates after 1996.

Prison Expansion

Texas expanded its prison capacity dramatically since the 1980s and 1990s in response to the War on Drugs.
Dozens of new prisons were constructed to keep pace with inmate growth.

Use of Private Prisons

Texas relies heavily on private prisons to provide extra bed space, operating over 10% of its prisons.

The combination of these factors has led to a massive network of state, federal, and private prison facilities throughout Texas to house inmates.

Texas Incarceration Statistics:

Here are some key statistics on the Texas incarcerated population and prison system capacity:

132,000: Current population of Texas state prisons
147,000: Total capacity of Texas state prisons
671: Incarceration rate per 100,000 population
10-15%: Estimated percent of Texas inmates held in private prisons
19,000: Number of inmates in Texas federal prisons
40,000+: Number of inmates in Texas county jails
700+: Number of different prisons, jails, and detention centers in Texas

Texas has the second highest incarcerated population in the U.S. after California. The state’s prison occupancy rate is around 90%.

Recent Changes and Prison Closures

While Texas still has a very large prison system, there have been some declines in the incarcerated population and number of prisons recently:

Texas closed 8 prisons in 2011 and 2012 during a fiscal crisis that reduced inmate populations.
Several juvenile detention facilities were closed as youth incarceration rates fell.
Private prisons reduced populations after failures to meet state standards emerged.
The Texas incarcerated population dropped about 5% from its peak by 2020. But it still remains very high compared to most states.

Further prison closures or decreases in capacity could occur if criminal justice reforms reduce inmate populations going forward. However, Texas is still projected to operate one of the nation’s largest prison systems for the foreseeable future.

Comparison to Other States

Texas has significantly more prisons than most other U.S. states. Here is how Texas compares for number of state prisons:

State	Number of State Prisons
California	~35
Texas	108
Florida	143
New York	52
Georgia	47
Ohio	28
Illinois	25
Pennsylvania	23

And here is a look at how Texas compares by incarcerated population:

State	Incarcerated Population
California	~122,000
Texas	~140,000
Florida	~96,000
New York	~38,000
Georgia	~54,000
Ohio	~49,000
Illinois	~39,000
Pennsylvania	~47,000

Texas far surpasses most large states in both number of prisons and prisoners, trailing only California overall.

Some key factors driving Texas’ very large prison system compared to other states include:

Larger overall population and geographic size
Higher violent crime and poverty rates
Stricter sentencing laws
Greater reliance on incarceration
Higher use of both public and private prisons

Texas Currently Operates the Most Prisons of Any State

In summary, Texas currently has the most operational prisons of any U.S. state, with over 140 state facilities plus county jails, federal prisons, and private prisons.

Major expansion of the prison system occurred in recent decades in response to rising inmate populations. While Texas has closed some prisons and reduced incarceration rates slightly in recent years, it still maintains the second largest inmate population in the country.

Ongoing changes in crime rates, sentencing laws, parole and alternatives to incarceration could potentially reduce the number of prisons Texas operates in the future. But the state is still projected to have one of the nation’s largest incarceration systems for years to come.

How Texas Prisons Operate and Life Inside Prison

Operating the largest prison population in the U.S. after California comes with major challenges. Here is some background on how the prison system functions and what life is like inside Texas state prisons:

Typical Living Conditions & Facilities

Most Texas state prisons were built between the 1950s-1990s and have dormitory or cell-block housing units. Living conditions vary but often include:

Small cells or dorms housing 2-4 prisoners sharing toilets/showers
Limited recreation time and access to outdoor yards
Open dorm designs with lower privacy
Frequent lockdowns and restrictions on movement
Extensive security procedures

Rehabilitation and education programs are limited. Most inmates take part in prison work programs.

Health care, mental health treatment, air conditioning, cooling and nutrition are frequent sources of complaints and lawsuits regarding living conditions.

Prisoner Demographics and Data

91% male, 9% female prisoners
57% Black, 29% Hispanic, 13% White
Over 50% incarcerated for violent crimes
69% have not completed high school
15% ages 17-20, 55% ages 21-40
Est. 40% have mental health issues, 10% severe mental illness

Prison Staffing and Officers

25,000+ prison officers employed by TDCJ
Guard to prisoner ratio around 1:6
Officers monitor cell blocks, escort prisoners, conduct checks
Officers not required to wear body cameras
Staffing shortages are a chronic problem

Prison Violence in Texas

Assaults on inmates rose from 558 in 2007 to 1,054 in 2019
Assaults on staff jumped from 363 to 676 over same period
Contraband cell phones/weapons are major issues
Gangs active in drug trafficking and violence inside prisons
Solitary confinement used to punish and control inmates

Despite prevention efforts, violence remains an issue in many Texas prisons. Lack of staffing contributes to unsafe conditions.

Rehabilitation and Recidivism

Vocational and life skills programs available but limited
Faith-based programming and classes focus on reform
Average educational attainment is 9th grade
3-year recidivism rate around 22% as of 2018
Parole approval rate is around 25%

Limited rehabilitation offerings and parole contribute to high rates of re-offending and re-incarceration.

Costs of Housing Texas Prisoners

$63/day average cost per state prisoner
$750 million annual budget for prisoner healthcare
$3 billion annual cost for all state prisons ->$1 billion paid to private prisons annually

Managing such a vast system puts strain on the Texas corrections budget. Yet costs are lower than some states.

Despite recent improvements, Texas state prisons continue to face challenges around overcrowding, understaffing, violence, health care, and rehabilitation. But the system remains focused on punishment, security, and management over reform.

Texas County Jails Play Major Role

With 234 county jails across Texas, county facilities make up a significant segment of the overall prison system:

Key Facts on Texas County Jails

Hold 40,000+ inmates in county jails on a typical day
Largest county jail is Harris County Jail in Houston (>9,000 capacity)
Average jail houses 150-500 inmates
Pretrial detainees make up ~75% of county jail inmates
Most jails run by county sheriff’s offices
19 Texas counties without a jail contract with others
Used for short sentences and pretrial detention

While Texas Department of Criminal Justice operates the most prisons and inmates, county sheriffs oversee a majority of the jail facilities in the state.

Long-Term Overcrowding Issues

Most county jails stay around 75-100% occupancy
Dozens of jails remain over 100% capacity despite new construction
Releases and transfers to state prisons help manage overcrowding
Lawsuits filed over crowded and unsafe conditions

Too many inmates and limited space is an ongoing problem at many Texas county jails.

Reforms to Reduce Jail Population

Bail reform and cite-and-release policies keep more defendants out of jails prior to trial
Specialty courts divert those with mental illness or drug issues to treatment
Some counties looking to replace jails with rehabilitation centers
Harris County adopted reforms to reduce jailing nonviolent defendants

While progress has been made, most Texas counties continue to rely heavily on jails for housing inmates and pretrial detainees. Managing larger jail populations strains county resources.

Federal Prisons Play Smaller Role in Texas

With 19 federal prisons, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has a smaller footprint in Texas than state and county correctional systems:

Key Facts on Federal Prisons in Texas

19 BOP facilities located in Texas as of 2023
Nearly 19,000 inmates housed in Texas federal prisons
5 administrative security prisons, 12 low and medium security prisons, 2 detention centers
Largest federal facilities include FCI El Reno, FCI Fort Worth, FCI Seagoville

The BOP houses around 10% of prisoners in Texas. Most federal prisons in the state are lower security.

Inmate Population and Trends

Most Texas federal inmates prosecuted for immigration or drug offenses
Texas federal prisons are chronically overcrowded like the national BOP system
Texas federal prison population dropped 14% from 2013 peak levels
Future growth tied to federal policy on drugs, immigration enforcement etc.

Inmate levels can fluctuate more in federal prisons based on national trends.

What Are the Largest Prisons in Texas?

With over 140 state prisons, Texas has dozens of major correctional facilities. Here are the 10 largest prisons in Texas by population:

Beto Unit (TDCJ) – Tennessee Colony – 3,940 inmates
Coffield Unit (TDCJ) – Tennessee Colony – 4,021 inmates
Connally Unit (TDCJ) – Kenedy – 3,074 inmates
Eastham Unit (TDCJ) – Lovelady – 2,768 inmates
Ellis Unit (TDCJ) – Huntsville – 2,016 inmates
Estelle Unit (TDCJ) – Huntsville – 3,082 inmates
Ferguson Unit (TDCJ) – Midway – 2,467 inmates
Michael Unit (TDCJ) – Tennessee Colony – 1,977 inmates
Ramsey Unit (TDCJ) – Rosharon – 1,797 inmates
Stiles Unit (TDCJ) – Beaumont – 2,136 inmates

The largest Texas prisons house 2,000 to 4,000 inmates in dormitory and cell block housing units. Most of the biggest state prisons are located in rural East and Southeast Texas.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice generally prefers larger facilities with economies of scale. But some major prisons have faced overcrowding challenges.

Here are the 5 biggest federal prisons and county jails in Texas:

Federal:

FCI Bastrop – 1,735 inmates
FCI Beaumont Low – 1,521 inmates
FCI El Reno – 1,477 inmates
FCI Fort Worth – 1,152 inmates
FCI La Tuna – 1,052 inmates

County Jails:

Harris County Jail – 9,434 capacity
Dallas County Jail – 7,100 capacity
Bexar County Adult Detention Center – 4,596 capacity
Tarrant County Jail – 4,253 capacity
Travis County Jail – 2,250 capacity

The largest Texas federal prisons have around 1,000-1,700 inmates. Major county jails house thousands of pretrial detainees and sentenced offenders near major cities.

What is Daily Life Like in Texas State Prisons?

Between security measures, overcrowding, and strict schedules, life inside Texas state prisons poses major challenges for inmates. Here is an overview of daily prison life:

Typical Day Schedule

5:00 am – Wake up
5:30 am – Breakfast
6:00 am – Prison work programs
11:30 pm – Lunch
1:00 pm – More work time
5:00 pm – Dinner
9:30 pm – Lockdown in cells/dorms

Inmates follow strict schedules for meals, work, recreation time, and other activities. Free time is very limited.

Housing Conditions

Small cells housing 2-4 inmates
Open dorms with rows of bunk beds
Shared toilets and showers
Little air conditioning
Limited personal storage space

Privacy is very restricted in crowded prisons. Sanitation can be poor.

Heavily Controlled Routines

Head counts 5-6 times per day
Restricted movement with escorts
Pat downs and cell searches for contraband
Constant monitoring by guards

Texas prisons emphasize security, control, and containment of inmates.

Health and Medical Care

Access to medical staff limited
Long waits for healthcare services
Mental health treatment is minimal
Poor diets and nutrition
Some prisons lack air conditioning

Providing adequate physical and mental health care is a challenge.

Violence and Safety Issues

Gangs and violence a constant issue
Assaults and sexual abuse occur
Solitary confinement used for rule breakers
Understaffing strains ability to control issues

Texas prisons can be dangerous places despite security measures. Rehabilitation takes a back seat to punishment.

In summary, life inside Texas prisons is difficult. Loss of freedom, privacy, comforts, and autonomy under strict control takes a major toll on inmates. Some are able to access education and vocational programs, but conditions are designed to punish.

How Much Do Texas Prisons Cost Taxpayers?

With over 140 state prisons housing about 140,000 inmates, the Texas prison system requires massive spending:

$3 billion: Annual budget for TDCJ operations and administration
$750 million: Annual cost for inmate healthcare
$63/day: Average cost to house a Texas prisoner
$50 million: Annual payments to counties to house state inmates
$1 billion: Annual payments to private prisons holding state inmates

The annual cost for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to run state prisons approaches $3 billion yearly. Most spending goes toward staffing, facilities, and inmate health care.

Private facilities receive over $1 billion in payments from TDCJ. The average cost to imprison one Texas inmate is around $63 per day, or over $22,000 per year.

Critics argue too much is spent on a punitive model focused on imprisonment over rehabilitation. But costs are lower than some states.

Prison Cost Control Measures

To control prison budgets, Texas uses tactics like:

No air conditioning in most prisons
Having inmates grow food and do janitorial work
Using lower-cost private facilities
Limiting health care services and programs
Keeping prisons in low-cost rural areas

The state prioritizes cutting costs and running prisons cheaply over inmate living conditions and services.

Potential Savings from Reduced Incarceration

While costly to run, Texas prisons could save significant taxpayer funds if the state reduced incarceration and closed units, including:

Over $60 million saved annually if prison population cut 5%
10 prison closures would save ~$30 million per year
1,000 fewer inmates saves $20 million+ yearly
Lower recidivism cuts long-term costs

Texas has already seen lower prison budgets from closures in recent years. But major reforms would be needed to produce significant savings. The massive system still strains state resources.

Key Historical Events for Texas Prisons

Throughout their history, Texas prisons have undergone periods of reform, expansion, and crisis:

1848 – First Texas State Penitentiary Opens

The Huntsville Unit opened with 70 inmates leased to local plantations.

1867-1910 – Prison Expansion and Convict Leasing

Texas opened multiple new state prisons and leased inmates to companies.

1930s – Texas Prison System Modernizes

The state took over all prisons from private contractors.

1980s-1990s – “Tough on Crime” Leads to More Prisons

Harsher sentencing laws drove rapid prison expansion.

2006 – Prison Sex Abuse Scandal

The TDCJ faced lawsuits over widespread guard-on-inmate sexual abuse.

2011-2012 – Texas Closes 12 Prisons

A shrinking prison population allowed unit closures to cut costs.

2018 – Heat Lawsuit Settlement

TDCJ agreed to install air conditioning in prisons after inmate deaths.

2020s – COVID-19 Hits Texas Prisons

The pandemic caused inmate deaths and revealed poor conditions.

These events shaped the growth and reforms of what became one of America’s largest prison systems. Challenges with costs, conditions, staffing and more persist today.

Notable Prisoners in Texas History

Many famous criminals and controversial figures have served time in Texas prisons over the years:

John Wesley Hardin – Notorious outlaw jailed at Huntsville in the 1870s; he was pardoned in 1894 and shot dead the next year.
Clyde Barrow – Of Bonnie & Clyde fame; did time at Eastham Prison Farm in the early 1930s.
Lee Harvey Oswald – JFK assassin; served at the Texarkana Prison for defecting to the Soviet Union in 1959.
Charles Manson – Cult leader; was at federal prison in Terminal Island, Texas before his murder convictions.
Jeffrey Dahmer – Serial killer; was beaten to death by another inmate at the Columbia Correctional Institution in Portage, Texas in 1994.
Yolanda Saldívar – Murderer of Tejano singer Selena; has been jailed at Mountain View Unit since 1995.
Andrea Yates – Drowned her five children in 2001; was held at various units before being moved to a low-security mental health prison.
Tom Delaey – Former Texas judge; imprisoned for bribery at Jester III Unit.

Texas prisons have confined some of the most infamous killers, criminals, and corrupt officials over the decades. Their notoriety shines light on a notorious prison system.

Controversies and Issues with Texas Prisons

Throughout its history, the Texas prison system has come under fire for chronic problems with conditions, abuse, and underfunding:

Healthcare and Mental Health Treatment Failures

Lack of prompt care, doctors, dentists, and mental health services
Heat exacerbates health issues; many prisons still lack full air conditioning
Mentally ill inmates disciplined instead of treated
At least 14 heat-related inmate deaths since 1998

Understaffing and Failure to Control Violence

Texas prisons have ~1 guard per 6 inmates, less than recommended staffing
Assaults, trafficking, and gang activity persist due to limited oversight
Solitary confinement used to control vulnerable inmates
Sexual abuse of inmates by staff was rampant until reforms

Overcrowding Lawsuits and Closures

Most prisons stay around 95% capacity with limited space
DOJ sued Texas over crowding at psychiatric prisons in 2014
Population drop allowed closure of 8 prisons in 2011-2012
Covid outbreaks spotlighted unhealthy overcrowding

Rehabilitation Failures and High Recidivism

Texas focused on prison growth, not reform programs
Vocational, mental health, addiction treatment options lag other states
About 1 in 5 inmates returns to prison within 3 years
Low parole rates result in prisoners serving most of sentences

Legal Challenges and Oversight Failures

Prison agency faced over 1,000 federal civil rights lawsuits in just 5 years
Independent oversight of prisons seen as inadequate
Escape scandals showed security failures

Texas has faced growing calls to improve conditions, reduce incarceration, and invest more in reform programs to address persistent problems with its prisons.

The Future of Texas Prisons

While Texas maintains one of the largest prison populations, shifting political winds and tight budgets could drive changes in coming years:

Sentencing and Justice Reforms

Texas passed modest bipartisan reforms in 2007 and 2013 to treat 17-year-olds as juveniles and offer rehabilitation programs for some prisoners. But the state lags most others on justice reforms.
Lawmakers face growing calls from both parties to revisit mandatory sentencing, parole restrictions, and other measures to curb incarceration.

Growing Cost Pressures

Operating so many aging prisons strains budgets, especially amid Texas’ boom-and-bust economy.
Even with low costs per prisoner, total costs now exceed $3 billion per year and could face cuts.

Right on Crime and Conservative Critics

Groups like Right on Crime call for probation, reentry programs, and alternatives to incarceration to control costs and improve outcomes.
Even conservative voices argue Texas over-incarcerates and would benefit from reforms.

Legal Pressure

Lawsuits over heat, healthcare, disability access, sexual abuse, COVID-19 precautions and more could push costly changes.
The DOJ threatened to sue Texas over extreme summer heat risks in prisons unless air conditioning is added.

While challenges remain, pressures are mounting from politicians, advocates and taxpayers for Texas to evolve its prison system. Significant reforms could eventually reduce its vast scale and punitive approach. But progress is likely to be very gradual.

Conclusion

With 108 state prisons and well over 300 total public and private prisons, Texas maintains by far the largest state prison system in the U.S. after California.

A “tough on crime” political focus led Texas to rapidly expand incarceration and prison capacity since the late 20th century in response to the War on Drugs, harsh sentencing laws, and population growth. Major prison construction turned small rural towns into prison hubs.

While Texas prisons are costly, they remain focused on maximum security confinement at minimum cost – often at the expense of rehabilitation services and decent living conditions. Aging facilities and chronic understaffing contribute to violence risks and inadequate healthcare.

Still, modest bipartisan reforms and falling crime rates led to some Texas prison closures in recent years. Growing calls for change point toward gradually reducing incarceration and shifting to a more balanced model. But Texas’ sheer scale makes rapid transformation of its prison system unlikely anytime soon.