French_M._Robertson_Unit

French M. Robertson Unit

French M. Robertson Unit

Maximum-security state prison in Abilene, Texas, US

The French M. Robertson Unit is a maximum-security state prison located on Farm to Market Road 3522 in Abilene, Texas, United States, 10 miles (16 km) northeast of Downtown Abilene in Jones County.[1][2]

Quick Facts Location, Coordinates ...

The prison for males, classified as a "prison," is operated by the Correctional Institutions Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, administered as within Region VI.[1]

The Robertson Unit has space for 1,244 inmates in General Population, plus a large Restricted Housing facility. The Unit has a large garment manufacturing facility, which makes garments for several other State and local corrections facilities. Also notable, is the Robertson Unit's kennel of tracking dogs, and horses for mounted operations.[citation needed]

The unit is named after French M. Robertson, a lawyer and oil businessman from Abilene, Texas.[3]

Beginning in September 2010, the prison serves as a regional release unit for prisoners exiting the TDCJ.[4]

History

The unit opened in November 1992.[3]

In 1996 a correctional officer fired a bullet, which he described as a "warning" shot, towards an inmate that he said was running from an outside work squad. The bullet hit the inmate between the eyes, killing him. No outside investigation occurred. The Robertson warden declared the "Officer of the Year" award over, giving it to the officer who shot the prisoner.[5]

On July 16, 2016, Correctional Officer Mari Anne Johnson was beaten to death by an inmate. Her body was found near the kitchen; she had also suffered an injury to the throat. The inmate, Dillion Compton, who was serving time for child rape, was sentenced to death for the murder in 2018.[6][7]

Notable prisoners

More information Inmate name, TDCJ Number ...

References

  1. [1]
    "Robertson Unit Archived July 25, 2010, at the Wayback Machine." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on July 23, 2010.
  2. [2]
    "Super Neighborhood Areas Archived June 9, 2011, at the Wayback Machine." (Direct map link Archived June 9, 2011, at the Wayback Machine) City of Abilene. Retrieved on July 23, 2010.
  3. [3]
    Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice (2004). Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Turner Publishing Company. p. 107. ISBN 1-56311-964-1. "The unit was named after French M. Robertson, an Abilene lawyer and oilman."
  4. [4]
    "New regional release centers now operating across state Archived 2011-02-20 at the Wayback Machine." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. September–October 2010. Retrieved on March 1, 2011.
  5. [5]
    Renaud, Jorge Antonio. "Living Quarters." Behind the Walls: A Guide for Families and Friends of Texas Prison Inmates. University of North Texas Press, 2002. xiii. (PDF 11/25) Retrieved on May 23, 2010. ISBN 1-57441-153-5, ISBN 978-1-57441-153-9.
  6. [6]
    Gutschke, Laura. "Compton sentenced to death for capital murder of correctional officer Mari Johnson". Abilene Reporter-News.
  7. [7]
    Beyer, Blain. "Inmate who killed Abilene corrections officer sentenced to death by lethal injection". KTXS-TV.
  8. [8]
    "Remains found in wooded area identified as Christina Morris". NBC. 8 March 2018. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  9. [9]
    "Jury sentences man to 40 years for burning boy in 1998". ABC News. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  10. [10]
    "Two Charged in Videotaped Slaying". AP News. 1 April 1993. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  11. [11]
    "The Unexplained Death of Jennifer Cave". Austin Chronicle. 7 September 2007. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  12. [12]
    "APD Releases Photo Of Suspect In Goosey, Barnett Murders". Essentials News. 5 August 2009. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
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