Mark W. Michael Unit

Operations

Michael was one of the first prisons to no longer use the "telephone-pole" layout, which has central pickets with dead-end cell blocks extending from them. The telephone-pole layout, while inexpensive to build, is difficult to police without building tenders, convicts paid to police other convicts. Instead Michael uses a modular pod design, which allows for riot control and visual surveillance. Most pods have double-bunk, reinforced concrete cells with security features such as slit windows and bolted-down metal toilets. Some pods have dormitories. Michael was one of several new prisons to have the ability to have many prisoners in extended lockdowns. State officials said that Michael's features allowing for extended lockdowns of prisoners were modeled on the United States Penitentiary, Marion.

Notable prisoners

Current:

Former:

• Richard Acosta Jr. - One of the perpetrators of the 2021 Garland Shooting serving life without parole. Currently incarcerated at Telford Unit
• Michael Morton - Exonerated of the crime which he was convicted of. He was transferred to Michael after obtaining his master's degree.
• Steven Jay Russell - The prisoner is a character in the film I Love You Phillip Morris
• Elmer Wayne Henley

References

References

1. "2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Anderson County, TX". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
2. "[http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/unitdirectory/mi.htm Michael Unit] {{webarchive. link. (2010-07-25 ." [[Texas Department of Criminal Justice]]. Retrieved on July 23, 2010.)
3. 978-0-8050-8069-8.
4. Rhor, Monica. "[http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Jun08/0,4670,UnidentifiedMurderer,00.html Serial killer wrestles with his crimes]." ''[[Fox News]]''. Sunday June 8, 2008. Retrieved on December 12, 2010. "Henley, who turned 52 in May, sits behind a glass divider in the visiting room at the Michael Unit, a Texas prison set amid cow pastures and sprawling ranches about an hour south of Dallas."
5. 978-0-8050-8069-8.
6. 978-0-8050-8069-8.
7. 978-0-8050-8069-8.
8. 978-0-8050-8069-8.
9. (2015-08-30). "Texas Deputy Slaying: Suspect Shannon Miles Charged in Killing of Darren Goforth".
10. (2017-09-13). "Man Pleads Guilty To Killing Texas Deputy At Gas Station - CBS Texas".
11. (2017-09-13). "Shannon Miles gets life in prison for murder of Deputy Goforth".
12. "Waco's beloved minister, after nearly 20 years, still claims he isn't guilty of murdering his wife - ABC News".
13. "Inmate Information Details - BAKER, MATT DEE".
14. "Documented gang member Christian Cavazos sentenced to life for Houston murder spree that claimed 5 lives, charging docs say - ABC13 Houston".
15. "Inmate Information Details - CAVAZOS, CHRISTIAN IVAN".
16. Colloff, Pamela. (December 2012). "The Innocent Man, Part Two".
17. Day, Elizabeth. "[https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/sep/06/steven-russell-elizabeth-day-jim-carrey I love you Phillip Morris: a conman's story]." ''[[The Observer]]''. Sunday September 6, 2009. Retrieved on December 10, 2010.
18. "[http://offender.tdcj.texas.gov/OffenderSearch/offenderDetail.action?sid=01924387 Henley, Elmer Wayne Jr]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20151227195603/http://offender.tdcj.texas.gov/OffenderSearch/offenderDetail.action?sid=01924387 Archive]). [[Texas Department of Criminal Justice]]. Retrieved on December 28, 2015.