The Bartlett Innovation Unit

Unit "unicorn", Esther, lies in the sun on a cold morning.

When you walk onto the Bartlett Innovation Unit interior grounds, you will almost immediately be greeted by Esther, especially if you happen to have apples or Cheerios!

Esther is the unit unicorn. Actually, she is a one-horned goat that patrols the unit’s housing area walkway, seeking treats and pats, mostly treats. She, along with Penelope, the unit’s resident duck, are a couple of the “innovations” introduced to the unit by senior warden Lorie Larson and her staff. Larson plans to bring in more animals to the “petting zoo,” including a miniature horse and companionship dogs from the Williamson County Animal Shelter. The inmate handlers will provide attention, care and training for the dogs prior to their adoption by loving families. The animals create a regimen of responsibility for the inmates who care for them and provide a calming effect for both staff and inmates. They also foster a warm environment for children while they visit their incarcerated family members.

The Bartlett State Jail was a private facility in Bartlett, Texas, that was closed in 2017 due to the declining inmate population. With the population now increasing, the decision was made to reopen the unit, but this time with a new approach.

Reopening the unit in 2024 would prove to be a considerable task. In June, a small number of staff, along with 23 G1 inmates housed at the Hughes Unit in Gatesville, began the difficult task renovating the unit. “When the inmates learned about what the unit was going to offer and that they would be a part of something so big and a first for the agency, they got really excited about it and worked long, hard hours to get the job done,” Larson said.

Every inmate released from the unit goes home in a suit and tie. The first, Joe Bailey Smith, gets a little help with his tie from Assistant Warden Michael Voyles.

The 2030 Vision challenged the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to develop and implement new ways of operating all areas of the agency. This allowed TDCJ the creativity to open the doors, so to speak, of a facility like the Bartlett Innovation Unit.

The unit’s ambition is to “create avenues to enhance the environment of the unit,” Larson said, “and assist the men to release from the unit through the education and programs that we provide to be successful.”

After a few months, all health, safety, and security operations were in place and the unit began to transfer inmates from other units.

The inmates who transfer to the unit must meet a set of criteria. They must be G1 or G2, not have a sentence over 50 years, have no major disciplinary cases within 24 months, or have no history of security precaution designators. The inmates in the veterans’ dorm are recruited and must have previously served in the US armed forces. The inmates selected for the faith-based dorm must apply and provide rationale for why they would be good candidates for the unit.

Once inmates arrive at the unit, they go through a brief orientation program to learn about the unit, behavior and conduct guidelines and programs that will benefit them upon their release. All of the dorms on the unit have a theme or are housing for inmates seeking similar communities like particular backgrounds, education and programming, such as the veterans’ dorm, faith-based dorm, and peer support, reentry and education dorms.

Staff, who are selected for the unit, go through a rigorous interview process and must adhere to the philosophy of the unit.

Sunlght bathes the Freedom Bell at the Bartlett Innovation Unit. Inscribed on the bell: “Be strong and courageous for the Lord goes with you.” Deuteronomy 31:6.

One program in development is Veteran X. Currently, there are 16 veteran inmates training to be mentors for their fellow veterans. They will help them manage and overcome common issues that many inmate veterans face when they release back to their communities, such as poor physical health, mental issues like PTSD, family issues, homelessness and addiction. They will educate them about their veteran benefits and resources. For veterans like David Karimi, there is a sense of pride in knowing they were selected to come to Bartlett, live in the veterans dorm and be a peer mentor.

“It gives a sense of purpose, a way to give back. Being able to be a facilitator is not just for me. I’m helping all of these people as well,” he said.

TDCJ is collaborating with the Windham School District to develop programs in culinary arts, computer programming, veterinary technician, renewable energy and electrical power systems lineman. Together, TDCJ and Windham are establishing a program for the men at the unit similar to the successful female STRIVE Program. The THRIVE Program (Truth Healing Restoration Independence Vision and Empowerment), like the STRIVE Program, will deliver reentry support services through trauma-informed programming, career skill development, employment and community support referrals, and post-release supervision for participants who have not discharged their sentence. Training subjects include job interview and public speaking, personal self-care planning and grooming for professionals. Each program graduate will receive a set of work-appropriate clothing when they leave the program.

The Bartlett Unit will truly impact the inmates as they leave the unit better equipped and better educated to reenter their communities. Every inmate releasing from the unit will walk out in a suit and tie surrounded in support of their fellow inmates, Bartlett staff, Esther and Penelope as they ring the Freedom Bell on their way out.