AUSTIN (WBAP/KLIF News ) – The Texas Department of Criminal Justice said a rise in contraband, violence and drug related inmate murders triggered a lock down on Wednesday.
16 inmates have been killed by other inmates over the last year.
In a press release, the agency said there’s been a “substantial increase” in the volume of illegal narcotics being smuggled into Texas prisons over the past five years, which directly impacts both inmates and staff.
During the lock down, inmates will have limited movement and limited contact with anyone outside the prison system.
TDCJ will conduct comprehensive contraband searches at all state correctional facilities. Officials said once the facilities are cleared, they will return to normal operations.
The department is also completing its rollout of a digital mail program. According to the release, there’s been a sharp increase in paper soaked in K2 or methamphetamines coming into state prisons.
Amid the lockdown and subsequent comprehensive searches, all visitations are cancelled until further notice.
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