Huntsville Unit

{{More citations needed section|date=May 2010}}

File:Texas State Penitentiary at Huntsville prison yard in 1870s.jpg

The prison's first inmates arrived on October 2, 1849.Hollister, Stacy. "[http://www.texasmonthly.com/2002-07-01/tidbits.php Texas Tidbits]." Texas Monthly. July 2002. Retrieved on July 3, 2010. The unit was named after the County of Huntsville."[https://web.archive.org/web/19980113083840/http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/tdcj1995.htm 1995 Annual Report]." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on July 21, 2010. Robert Perkinson, the author of Texas Tough: The Rise of America’s Prison Empire, wrote that the unit was, within Texas, "the first public work of any importance".Roth, Mitchel P. "[http://muse.jhu.edu/login?auth=0&type=summary&url=/journals/southwestern_historical_quarterly/v115/115.1.roth.html Texas Tough: The Rise of America's Prison Empire (review)]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20140714142656/http://muse.jhu.edu/login?auth=0&type=summary&url=/journals/southwestern_historical_quarterly/v115/115.1.roth.html Archive]). Southwestern Historical Quarterly, 2011, Vol.115(1), pp.106-107 [Peer Reviewed Journal] - Available at Project MUSE.

Originally Huntsville Unit was only for white Texans; the only penalties available to black Texans were whipping and hanging. During the American Civil War, prisoners at Huntsville produced tents and uniforms for Confederate forces at the prison textile factory.King, Michael. "[http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A1070701 Grim History]." Austin Chronicle. August 20, 2010. Retrieved on December 11, 2010. After the Civil War ended, Huntsville Unit was the only prison in the former Confederate States of America to remain. Perkinson stated that the prison became, within the state, the "first racially integrated public institution".

Originally women in the Texas Prison System were housed in the Huntsville Unit.Perkinson, Robert. Texas Tough: The Rise of America's Prison Empire. First Edition. Metropolitan Books, 2010. p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=HOxmcfIopugC&pg=PA93 93]. {{ISBN|978-0-8050-8069-8}}. "Conditions at the Walls provoked criticism as well, particularly with respect to female prisoners." Beginning in 1883 women were housed in the Johnson Farm, a privately owned cotton plantation near Huntsville.Perkinson, Robert. Texas Tough: The Rise of America's Prison Empire. First Edition. Metropolitan Books, 2010. p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=HOxmcfIopugC&pg=PA132 132]. {{ISBN|978-0-8050-8069-8}}. During this time there was some concern that "immoral practices may be resorted to" in regards to the female prisoners.The Texas State Library and Archives. Fear Force and Leather: The Texas Prison System's First Hundred Years, 1848-1948. [https://www.tsl.texas.gov/exhibits/prisons/convictlease/women.html].

Historically the prison served as the administrative headquarters of the Texas Prison System and the Texas Department of Corrections;{{cite web|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/jjt01 |title=Texas State Penitentiary at Huntsville |publisher=Texas State Historical Association |work=Handbook of Texas Online |access-date=2010-07-24|date=2010-06-15 }}Renaud, Jorge Antonio. "Diagnostic." Behind the Walls: A Guide for Families and Friends of Texas Prison Inmates. University of North Texas Press, 2002. 1. {{ISBN|1-57441-153-5}}, {{ISBN|978-1-57441-153-9}}. the superintendent and the other executive officers worked in the prison, and all of the central offices of the system's departments and all of the permanent records were located in the prison. In 1934 John Lomax and Alan Lomax recorded the earliest known recording of "This Little Light of Mine" when they recorded Jim Boyd of Jacksonville, Texas, singing at prison.{{Cite web|url=http://kodaly.hnu.edu/song.cfm?id=673|title = Kodály Center for Music Education - Song}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/item/afc9999005.635/|title = This little light of mine| website=Library of Congress }}

In 1965, the men's death row moved to the Ellis Unit.{{cite web|url=https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/death_row/dr_facts.html|title=Death Row Information|publisher=Texas Department of Criminal Justice|access-date=2024-10-05}}

In 1974, the prison was the site of an eleven-day siege, one of the longest hostage-taking sieges in United States history."[https://web.archive.org/web/20121024221355/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,908631,00.html?iid=chix-sphere Blood Hostages]", TIME, August 12, 1974. Retrieved on 2008-07-13. Three armed inmates, Fred Carrasco, Ignacio Cuevas, and Rudy Dominquez, held several hostages in the education department. The ringleader, Fred Carrasco, had been a porter in the chapel. Cuevas usually worked in the inmate dining hall. Ten hostages were employees of the prison system: two were educators, and one was a guard.

Later on, the prison chaplain became a hostage. Four prisoners were held as hostages. On the final day, the inmates tried to escape using chalkboards and hostages as shields.Warden by Jim Willett and Ron Rozelle{{Page needed|date=September 2010}}{{Cite web|title = Observer-Reporter - Google News Archive Search|url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2519&dat=19740805&id=xw1eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ql8NAAAAIBAJ&pg=1668,489291&hl=en|website = news.google.com|access-date = 2016-01-19}} Dominquez was killed in the attempt. Carrasco killed Elizabeth Beseda and then shot himself. Julia Standley was also killed that day. Ignacio Cuevas was executed on May 23, 1991 for her murder.[https://web.archive.org/web/20010805120331/http://tdcj.state.tx.us/statistics/deathrow/executed/cuevas.jpg cuevas.jpg] (). Texas Department of Criminal Justice.{{Cite news|title = Participant in Prison Siege Is Executed in Texas|url = https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/23/us/participant-in-prison-siege-is-executed-in-texas.html|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 1991-05-23|access-date = 2016-01-19|issn = 0362-4331}}

File:HuntsvilleUnitBrickWalls.jpg

While the prison is officially the Huntsville Unit, the prison's red brick walls led to the nickname "Walls Unit."Graczyk, Michael. "[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZFAcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=l1gEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4955,2394511&dq=walls-unit+nickname&hl=en Tales from inside Texas death row]{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}." Associated Press at The Victoria Advocate. Sunday April 10, 2005. 1C. Retrieved from Google News (Page 16 of 47) on July 24, 2010. The prison is {{convert|160|mi|km|sp=us}} southeast of Dallas and {{convert|70|mi|km|sp=us}} north of Houston."[http://www.univision.com/content/content.jhtml?chid=3&cid=2377394&schid=160&secid=27168 Texas ejecutó a un hispano]." Univision. April 28, 2010. "[...]en la unidad carcelaria Walls, en Huntsville, a unos 250 kilómetros al sureste de Dallas." The original cellblock had been closed for several years prior to 2011.Ward, Mike. "[http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/politics/entries/2011/05/17/budget_writers_agree_to_shut_p.html?cxntfid=blogs_postcards Budget writers agree to shut old prison] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014215418/http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/politics/entries/2011/05/17/budget_writers_agree_to_shut_p.html/?cxntfid=blogs_postcards |date=2012-10-14 }}." Austin American-Statesman. Tuesday May 17, 2011. Retrieved on September 23, 2011. The electric chair was previously in a building adjacent to the institution's east wall. When the death row was in Huntsville, it was in the East Building."[http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/death_row/dr_facts.html Death Row Facts]." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on September 23, 2014.

The warden of the Huntsville Unit is in charge of the maintenance of the Captain Joe Byrd Cemetery, the TDCJ prisoner cemetery."[http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Eternity-s-gate-slowly-closing-at-Peckerwood-Hill-3761731.php Eternity's gate slowly closing at Peckerwood Hill]." Houston Chronicle. August 3, 2012. Retrieved on March 16, 2014. Prisoners from this unit are assigned to maintain the cemetery.Ross, Robyn. "[http://www.texasobserver.org/prison-inmates-laid-rest-huntsville/ Laid to Rest in Huntsville]" ({{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316052624/http://www.texasobserver.org/prison-inmates-laid-rest-huntsville/ |date=2014-03-16 }}) Texas Observer. Tuesday, March 11, 2014. Retrieved on March 16, 2014.

The Huntsville Unit serves as one of the TDCJ's regional release centers for male prisoners. Most male prisoners are released to be closer to their counties of conviction, approved release counties, and/or residences. Male prisoners who have detainers, are classified as sex offenders, have electronic monitoring imposed by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, and/or have certain special conditions of the Super Intensive Supervision Program (SISP) are released from the Huntsville Unit, regardless of their counties of conviction, residences, and/or approved release counties."[http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/publications/executive/2010_Gen_Info_Guide_for_Families_of_Offenders_print.pdf General Information Guide for Families of Offenders]." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. December 2010. 36 (40/46). Retrieved on March 1, 2011.

Rick Thaler, the director of the Correctional Institutions Division, predicted in 2010 that the Huntsville Unit, which serves as the regional release center for Greater Houston, will remain the TDCJ's largest release center."[http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/mediasvc/connections/SeptOct2010/agency2_vol18no1.html New regional release centers now operating across state] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220035504/http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us//mediasvc/connections/SeptOct2010/agency2_vol18no1.html |date=2011-02-20 }}." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. September–October 2010. Retrieved on March 1, 2011. Throughout the history of the Texas Prison System 90% of male prisoners were sent to the unit for the final portions of their sentences before being released. Starting in September 2010 the TDCJ instead began to use regional release centers for male prisoners.Schiller, Dane. "[http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6997586.html Walking free - now what?]" Houston Chronicle. May 9, 2010. Retrieved on May 10, 2010.

The Huntsville Unit is the location of the State of Texas execution chamber."[http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/faq/faq-victim.htm Frequently Asked Questions Victim Survivors Viewing Executions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725204214/http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/faq/faq-victim.htm |date=2010-07-25 }}." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on August 15, 2010. "Executions in Texas normally take place around 6:00 p.m. at the Huntsville Unit in downtown Huntsville, Texas." The TDCJ generally houses male death row inmates in the Polunsky Unit (formerly Terrell Unit) and female death row inmates in the Patrick O'Daniel Unit (formerly Mountain View Unit)."[http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/drowfacts.htm Death Row Facts] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090806085208/http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/drowfacts.htm |date=August 6, 2009 }}." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on August 15, 2010.

Between 1819 and 1923 the method of execution was hanging until Texas authorized the use of the electric chair; the use of the electric chair ended the execution of death sentences by counties in Texas. The chair—often euphemistically called "Old Sparky"—was constructed by inmates.{{cite web|url=http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/TXHUNprison.html |title=Texas Prison Museum: Home of Old Sparky |publisher=RoadsideAmerica.com |access-date=2007-12-08}} Between 1924 and 1964, 362 inmates were executed by electrocution. The chair now resides at the Texas Prison Museum, located on Interstate 45 on the north side of Huntsville which features displays of historical items from the prison system, including shanks and other items confiscated from inmates.

On one occasion the prison used a facility below the current warden's office as a death row for women. Emma "Straight Eight" Oliver, the first female death row inmate under Texas state jurisdiction, was sentenced to death in 1949. In 1951 her sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. Subsequently the Goree Unit and then the O'Daniel Unit were used as women's death rows.Jackson, Bruce and Diane Christian. In This Timeless Time: Living and Dying on Death Row in America. University of North Carolina, 2012. {{ISBN|0807835390}}, 9780807835395. p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=PG7IEOzabuMC&pg=PA143 143].

Inmates scheduled for execution are brought from death row on the Polunsky Unit to the Huntsville Unit early in the afternoon of their execution date. Unlike other states, Texas abolished the ritual of last meals, following abuse of the privilege by executed, and the rationale that their victims were not afforded the same. Inmates may, but are not required to, issue a last statement prior to execution. By law, executions are to be held after 6:00 p.m. Huntsville (Central) time.[http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/CR/pdf/CR.43.pdf Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 43.14, "Execution of Convict"]

Until that time, the condemned inmates are housed about {{convert|30|ft|m}} from the door of the execution chamber. The Texas Death House is located at the northeast corner of the Huntsville Unit, just below the #1 picket.{{Page needed|date=September 2010}} No law prohibits multiple executions in a single day, but this has not happened since August 2000.

The execution chamber is a {{convert|9|ft|m|adj=on}} by {{convert|12|ft|m|adj=on}} room, with mint green-painted walls and a gurney. When Jim Willett was warden of Huntsville Unit, he added a pillow to the gurney. Texas uses a single lethal dose of pentobarbital to execute condemned inmates.{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/13/us/facing-challenge-to-execution-texas-calls-its-process-the-gold-standard.html | title=Confronted on Execution, Texas Proudly Says It Kills Efficiently| newspaper=The New York Times| date=2014-05-12| last1=Fernandez| first1=Manny| last2=Schwartz| first2=John}} Two adjacent rooms, which allow viewing into the execution room through glass windows, are for two groups. One room is reserved for witnesses from among the family and friends of the crime victim(s), while the other is for the family and friends of the condemned.Perkinson, Robert. Texas Tough: The Rise of America's Prison Empire. First Edition. Metropolitan Books, 2010. p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=HOxmcfIopugC&pg=PA40 40]. {{ISBN|978-0-8050-8069-8}}.

This list does not include death row inmates who were only housed in other units (Ellis, Polunsky, and/or O'Daniel) and executed in Huntsville on the days of their executions. For people held at Huntsville Unit only for execution, see Lists of people executed in Texas.

Current:

• Buck Barrow, Barrow Gang
• George Hassell: Huntsville Unit Death Row, Executed in February 1928.
• W. D. Jones, Barrow Gang, 6 years at Huntsville

• "Huntsville", a song on Merle Haggard's 1971 album, Someday We'll Look Back references being sent to Huntsville Prison.
• The Getaway, a 1972 Sam Peckinpah film, which starred Steve McQueen, was filmed here.
• Cross Canadian Ragweed has a song that is about the prison called "Walls of Huntsville" on their 2002 self-titled album.
• Steve Earle recorded "Ellis Unit One" (after the Ellis Unit) for the 1995 film Dead Man Walking. The song's lyrics focus on the effect of the death penalty on the guards that carry it out. Earle has been a vocal critic against the death penalty.
• Kevin Costner portrayed the convict Butch Haynes in the 1993 film A Perfect World, who escaped from Huntsville Prison.
• Texas Country artist Cody Johnson refers to the prison in his song "Texas Kind of Way", with the lyric "might as well just lock me up in Huntsville, if your memory's here to stay".
• In the 2007 film No Country for Old Men, it was mentioned that the Sheriff in Terrell County, Texas had sentenced a man to death in the Huntsville Unit for killing a 14-year-old girl.
• Subject of a song by country singer Bobby Bare - "Back Home In Huntsville Again"
• In Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown, the characters played by Samuel L. Jackson and Robert De Niro first met while doing time in Huntsville.
• In the 2003 video game Freelancer, the LPI Huntsville is a prison ship orbiting Houston planet in the Texas system.
• David Allan Coe refers to the "Huntsville prison walls so high" in his song "Houston, Dallas, San Antone".
• The 2003 film, The Life of David Gale, was shot in multiple places, including Huntsville, Texas. In the film, Kevin Spacey played the eponymous character, a college professor and longtime activist against capital punishment who is sentenced to death for killing a fellow capital punishment opponent.
• Werner Herzog's 2011 documentary Into the Abyss, follows the execution of Jason Burkett which took place in the Huntsville unit. It features numerous shots of the chamber and describes the execution process.
• Jason Boland & The Stragglers released a song off 2015 CD Squelch titled "Christmas in Huntsville".

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• List of Texas state prisons
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{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons}}

• [http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/unit_directory/hv.html Huntsville Unit] - Texas Department of Criminal Justice
• {{Handbook of Texas|id = jjt01 | name = Texas State Penitentiary at Huntsville}}
• [http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/tslac/20046/tsl-20046.html Texas Prison Board: An Inventory of Records of the Texas Prison System at the Texas State Archive 1913-1933, 1943, undated]
• [http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/texas-prisons/units/huntsville/ List of prisoners at the Huntsville Unit] - The Texas Tribune
• [http://www.txprisonmuseum.org/ Texas Prison Museum]
• "[https://web.archive.org/web/20100626104338/http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/explorer/4082/Photos#tab-Photos/0 Inside Death Row]." - National Geographic Explorer

{{TDCJ}}

{{Execution sites in the United States}}

{{Huntsville, Texas}}

Category:1849 establishments in Texas

Category:Prisons in Huntsville, Texas

Category:Women's prisons in Texas

Category:Capital punishment in Texas

Category:Execution sites in the United States