Shuttered Bartlett State Jail Will Reopen As TDCJ Bartlett Unit

In a press release this week the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and the city of Bartlett in Williamson County announced the reopening of the Bartlett Unit, formally known as Bartlett State Jail.

TDCJ states the decision to reactivate the facility stems from a rise in the states’s prison population and the need for additional beds.

According to TDCJ the former State Jail was shuttered in 2017 due to a declining inmate population. The Unit was managed under contract by the former Correction Corporation of America (CCA), which is now Core Civics.

Prior to the State Jail’s closure the facility was a topic of controversy after allegations and a lawsuit was filed over the alleged sexual hazing of an inmate.

“This reopening is positive for both TDCJ and the city of Bartlett,” TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier said. “The Bartlett Unit will not only enhance public safety by providing secure housing for inmates but also contribute to the economic growth of the community.”

The Bartlett Unit will have a capacity of 1,049 inmates and is set to operate as what TDCJ describes as an “innovation unit” for the agency. TDCJ stated “it will offer a new approach to programs and services designed to support successful rehabilitation and reintegration into society upon release.”

“The Barlett Unit opening will bring a significant boost to our local economy by offering much-needed jobs, from corrections officers to support staff,” City of Bartlett Mayor Chad Mees said.

The Bartlett Unit is hosting a hiring event that will take place on the unit July 23, 2024, and July 24, 2024, at 1018 Arnold Dr., Bartlett, Texas. The unit’s projected opening date is early October 2024.

Although TDCJ would not respond to our press inquiry regarding if the facility would be managed by TDCJ or under private contract, we found several job postings by TDCJ. Those listing included state jobs for correctional officers and maintenance positions at the Bartlett Unit.