TDCJ - Dolph Briscoe Unit (DB)

State Prison

Last Updated: February 09, 2024
Address
1459 W Hwy 85, Dilley, TX 78017
Beds
1132
County
Frio
Phone
830-965-4444

Briscoe Unit is for State Prison offenders sentenced anywhere from one year to life by the State Court in the county where the charges were filed

All prisons and jails have Security or Custody levels depending on the inmate’s classification, sentence, and criminal history. Please review the rules and regulations for State - medium facility.

The phone carrier is Securus Tech®, to see their rates and best-calling plans for your inmate to call you.

If you are unsure of your inmate's location, you can search and locate your inmate by typing in their last name, first name or first initial, and/or the offender ID number to get their accurate information immediately Registered Offenders

Satellite View of TDCJ - Dolph Briscoe Unit (DB)

You can support your loved ones at Briscoe Unit on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 830-965-4444.

Located at 1459 W Hwy 85 in Dilley, TX, Briscoe Unit carefully assigns inmates based on their custody level, considering factors like criminal history. Briscoe Unit offers diverse educational and vocational programs aimed at equipping offenders for successful reintegration into society and reducing recidivism. Through these initiatives, inmates gain skills and confidence, fostering personal growth and resilience.

When someone you care about ends up in a state prison, it can be tough to navigate the ins and outs of the system. From figuring out how to stay in touch to understanding what you can do to make their time easier, it can feel overwhelming. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get the lowdown on TDCJ - Dolph Briscoe Unit (DB) so you can stay connected and support your loved one during their time inside.

Communication is important, the prison offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

While incarcerated, reading is often the best use of time. Please note that books and magazines, puzzles, and word searches ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. Prisons and jails enforce this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

The Briscoe Unit, housing male inmates, has a total capacity of 1,132 individuals, including 628 TDCJ inmates and 504 confinees. Covering approximately 426 acres, the facility accommodates inmates with custody levels G1, G2, and G4. Briscoe Unit engages in agricultural operations such as managing security horses, security pack canines, cultivating edible crops, and participating in the Texas Gleaning Project to contribute to food sustainability efforts.

While the facility does not have manufacturing or logistics operations, it focuses on unit maintenance to ensure smooth facility operations. Briscoe Unit provides ambulatory medical and dental services managed by UTMB, with Telemedicine and Digital Medical Services (DMS) available. The facility offers CPAP accommodating housing and ensures all medical services are provided on a single level for ease of access.

Educational programs at Briscoe Unit include literacy courses covering Adult Basic Education and GED preparation, along with Special Education, CHANGES/Pre-Release, and English as a Second Language classes. Inmates also have access to vocational programs such as Construction Carpentry, Electrical Trades, and Landscape Design, Construction, and Maintenance. Additionally, Southwest Texas Junior College offers academic and vocational courses in Construction Carpentry and Construction Carpentry II.

Additional programs and services provided at Briscoe Unit encompass a Faith-Based Dormitory, Adult Education Program (subject to availability), Peer Education, Chaplaincy Services, and the GO KIDS Initiative, promoting holistic development and rehabilitation among inmates.

The facility actively engages in community work projects, extending services to city agencies, the local food bank, various organizations, and Habitat for Humanity. Volunteer initiatives at Briscoe Unit focus on literacy, substance abuse education, employment/job skills, support groups, life skills, and religious/faith-based studies and activities. These initiatives aim to address diverse needs and promote personal growth and development among inmates, fostering a sense of responsibility and accountability within the community.

Inmate Locator

Briscoe Unit maintains a database of current inmates and their locations within the system. To locate an inmate, begin by using the DOC locator tool, which requires entering the first three letters of the inmate's first and last name, allowing for variations in spelling.

If unable to locate the desired information through free resources, users may opt to use the Arrest Record Search, which requires payment. While this option incurs a small fee, it provides access to the most up-to-date data available.

Get an Arrest Record immediately.

Visitation Information

Inmate Visitation

Visitation plays an important role in maintaining the association between inmates and their friends and family as well as strengthening family ties. Visitation Procedure Update (effective December 28, 2023)

Preparing for your visit:

Before you travel to a unit:

  • Confirm the inmate is assigned to the unit you are planning to visit and has visitation privileges.
    Inmate Information Search

  • Confirm the unit visitation schedule and verify that visitation has not been canceled. An eligible inmate cannot receive visitors if visitation has been canceled.

  • Do not bring cash (except coins, not more than $35).

  • No cell phones inside the secure perimeter.

  • Spiritual visits must be coordinated through the warden’s office.

Each inmate is only allowed one visit per weekend. To the extent possible, individuals on an inmate’s Visitors List should coordinate with one another and with the inmate to prevent subsequent visitors from being declined when they arrive at the unit.

General Information Guide for Families of Inmates (English/Español) - PDF
Inmate Rules and Regulations for Visitation (English/Español) - PDF

Ask The Inmate

Ask a former inmate questions at no charge. The inmate answering has spent considerable time in the federal prison system, state and county jails, and in a prison that was run by the private prison entity CCA. Ask your question or browse previous questions in response to comments or further questions of members of the InmateAid community.