Accountability.
It has been a busy year for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. From a dramatic prison evacuation to a major contraband sting operation, TDCJ has been making headlines across the state. Here’s a rundown of what’s been happening.
A North Texas Prison Had to Be Completely Evacuated
On June 3, 2026, officials evacuated the entire prison in Wise County after dangerously high carbon monoxide levels were detected inside the facility along with a possible gas leak. Every single inmate was moved out to the yard while emergency crews responded. Once it was safe, inmates were transported to nearby facilities. No injuries were reported, but the incident raised serious questions about the condition of aging prison infrastructure across the state.
Drones Are the New Contraband Pipeline — And TDCJ Is Fighting Back
In January 2026, the Office of Inspector General ran a major sting operation at the Mark W. Michael Unit in Tennessee Colony that exposed just how sophisticated prison contraband operations have become. When it was over, investigators had seized more than 100 cell phones and large quantities of narcotics — all of it delivered by drone. Multiple civilians and former correctional officers were arrested in connection with the operation. It was one of the largest contraband busts in recent TDCJ history.
The State Is Investing Billions to Fix the System
The Texas Legislature approved a massive funding package for TDCJ that signals a serious commitment to overhauling the state’s prison infrastructure. The approved dollars break down like this: $301 million for 14 brand new expansion dorms, $214.8 million for major repairs and renovations at existing units, $258.3 million for technology and security upgrades including drone detection systems, upgraded inmate phone systems, and a new corrections technology platform, and $313 million to reopen previously shuttered prison units across the state.
For a system that has struggled with aging facilities and staffing shortages for years, this level of investment is significant. Whether it translates into real improvements for the people inside — and the families waiting on the outside — remains to be seen.
Sources: CBS News Texas, TDCJ Office of Inspector General, Texas Legislature SB1/HB500 Funding Summary