Retrieve Unit

The Retrieve Unit[1] (TDCJ code: RV), later the Wayne Scott Unit,[2] was a Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) prison farm located in unincorporated Brazoria County, Texas.[3][4] The unit, southwest of Houston,[5] is along County Road 290, 8 miles (13 km) south of Angleton. Scott, which was established in September 1919, has about 5,766 acres (2,333 ha) of land.[4]

Retrieve Unit (later Wayne Scott Unit)
Retrieve Unit is located in Texas
Retrieve Unit
Location in Texas
Location6999 Retrieve
Angleton, Texas postal address 77515
Coordinates29.0916667°N 095.4813889°W / 29.0916667; -095.4813889
StatusOperational
Security classG1-G4, Administrative Segregation, Outside Trusty
CapacityUnit: 809 Trusty Camp: 321
OpenedSeptember 1919
ClosedMain prison: 2020
Trusty camp: Not stated
Former nameRetrieve Unit
Managed byTDCJ Correctional Institutions Division
WardenDonald Muniz, Assistant Warden Richard Waldron
CountyBrazoria County
CountryUSA
Websitewww.tdcj.state.tx.us/unit_directory../rv.html
Aerial view of the Retrieve Unit and Brazoria County Airport, January 23, 1995 - U.S. Geological Survey
Topographical map of the Retrieve Unit and Brazoria County Airport, July 1, 1984 - U.S. Geological Survey

History

The prison was formerly known as the Retrieve Unit.[6] The prison opened on the grounds of the former Retrieve Plantation, which opened in 1839.[7] The final main building opened in the 1930s.[8]

In 1935 Retrieve housed White prisoners.[9] In 1963, before racial desegregation occurred, the facility housed second offenders, habitual criminals, and African Americans over the age of 25.[10] A post office in the nearby community of Snipe served the prison farm from 1921 to 1949.[11]

In September 2018, some 45 boxes of unclaimed bananas were donated to the Scott Unit.[12] and the boxes were found to contain 540 packages of cocaine, which at the time held a street value of US$17,820,000.[13]

In 2020 307 people worked at Wayne Scott. The main prison unit was scheduled to end operations by late 2020. According to Bryan Collier, the executive director of the prison agency, the cost to revamp the main building would exceed $30,000,000. The trusty camp at that time remained open.[8] As of 2023 the TDCJ no longer lists the former Retrieve Unit.[14] In 2021 the Jester IV Unit in Fort Bend County was renamed the Wayne Scott Unit.[15]

References
  1. "RETRIEVE (RV)". Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Archived from the original on 2001-02-10. Retrieved 2023-02-19. Unit Address/Phone: Route 5 Box 1500, Angleton, Texas 77515[...]
  2. Isensee, Bridie. "TDCJ makes overtime changes." Brazosport Facts. Wednesday August 13, 2003. Retrieved on May 9, 2010.
  3. "2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Brazoria County, TX" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. p. 42 (PDF p. 43/67). Retrieved 2022-08-12. Wayne Scott Unit
  4. "Scott Unit." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on May 9, 2010. "6999 Retrieve, Angleton, Texas 77515"
  5. Ward, Mike. "Driving tour shows times have changed at suburban Houston prisons." Austin American-Statesman. Saturday April 24, 2010. Retrieved on May 9, 2010.
  6. Armintor, Carlos. "‘Meanest man in Texas’ was guest of Brazoria." Brazosport Facts. Monday September 8, 2003. Updated Wednesday April 7, 2010. Retrieved on July 16, 2010.
  7. "Retrieve Plantation." Handbook of Texas. Retrieved on July 16, 2010.
  8. McCarty, Maddy (2020-10-30). "TDCJ main Wayne Scott unit closing". The Brazosport Facts. Clute, Texas. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
  9. Trulson, Chad R., James W. Marquart, and Ben M. Crouch. First Available Cell: Desegregation of the Texas Prison System. University of Texas Press, 2009. 81. Retrieved from Google Books on July 16, 2010. ISBN 0-292-71983-3, ISBN 978-0-292-71983-5.
  10. Trulson, Chad R., James W. Marquart, and Ben M. Crouch. First Available Cell: Desegregation of the Texas Prison System. University of Texas Press, 2009. 82. Retrieved from Google Books on July 16, 2010. ISBN 0-292-71983-3, ISBN 978-0-292-71983-5.
  11. "Snipe, Texas." Handbook of Texas. Retrieved on July 16, 2010.
  12. Chapman, Sydney (2018-09-24). "$18 million worth of cocaine found in bananas donated to Texas prison, report says". DeseretNews.com. Retrieved 2018-09-24.
  13. "$17.8 million worth of cocaine found in hidden fruit". NBC News. Retrieved 2018-09-24.
  14. "Facility Map". Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
  15. "TDCJ to Rename Three Prison Units". Criminal Justice Connections. Texas Department of Criminal Justice. June 2021. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
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