Life In TDCJ Prison
There are Basically Two Types of Housing in TDCJ. Cells and Dorms. Cells can be two man or one man cells. One man cells are usully given to a person because of their age or a G4/G5 Classification. Some cells have their own showers. Dorms are a better place to live. They allow you freedom to move around. There are two types of Dorms. One type contains sets of 2 man bunk beds like cells and other type contains cubicles with one bed per cubicle. These are areas separated by 4′ metal walls allowing more privacy.
Each Unit creates its own time schedule for Most Things. Day Room Time/Phones are About the Only Items that are the basically the Same Everywhere. There are Basically 3 Different Living Areas Depending on Your Classification Status. G1 to G5 and Administrative Segregation. G1-G3 are usually housed in Dorms if the Unit has them. G4-G5 are housed in more restrictive type housing (cell blocks) with fewer privileges. Adm-Seg is Can Be Solitary Confinement. There are also ECB (extended cold bed) cell blocks, Air Condition Areas for Inmates that have health Restrictions. Unfortunately, some of these ECBs are in the Same Areas that G4-G5s are housed and even If these ECB Inmates are G3, They are Treated Like G4-G5 Inmates.
General Population
Administrative Segregation
This is a typical Day/Week in TDCJ
1-Breakfast time is at 3:45am–Lunch chow usually starts at 10:30am to 1:00pm–Dinner chow starts at 5:30 pm through 7:00pm.
2-“Lay-Ins“-A Slip of Paper Approving you to Go To Class/Medical/Etc. are called at 7:00am, 7 days a week.
3-Day room time from 6.30am to 10:30pm, Monday through Thursday-Friday, Saturday, Sunday, To 11:30pm.
4-College. classes start again at 1:00pm to 3:00pm.
5-8:00 am, Outside rec and gym rec may be called at this time, along with school and college classes. 8:00am to 11:30am Monday through Thursday, along with Christian classes.
6-Population showers begin at 6:30am. Showers are multi-person showers, with no stalls, all open showers. Some dorms have their own showers. Showers are usually cold to Lukewarm, mostly at older units.
7-Outside Rec and Gym Rec may be called at this time 8:00 am.
8-Phones are on from 5:00am to 12:00 am. 7 days a week. 30 Minute per Call.
9-Industry (TCI) workers will turn out to work after breakfast. 4:30am-11:30am-Monday through Friday.
Solitary Confinement is a type of Administrative Segregation.
Administrative segregation/restrictive housing includes the following: security detention, pre-hearing detention, temporary detention (e.g., transient status pending the outcome of an Offender Protection Investigation (OPI), and death row segregation.
Administrative Segregation/ Restrictive Housing Plan) Cell Restriction (Administrative Directive AD-3.70, “Cell Restriction for General Population Inmates”) Note: This is a disciplinary action for inmates convicted of a disciplinary violation and applied in accordance with TDCJ “Disciplinary Rules and Procedures for Inmates.” Good Luck on Finding AD-3.70 Published anywhere on TDCJ Web Sites.
There is a Published “HEALTH EVALUATION AND DOCUMENTATION INMATES IN SEGREGATION / RESTRICTIVE HOUSING” Policy Directive E-39.1 which governs health care procedures for everyone that is held in Restrictive Housing.