A weekend religious service at the C.T. Terrell Unit in Brazoria County ended in chaos on Saturday, with five inmates hurt in a stabbing inside the state prison. According to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, three men suffered puncture wounds and two were taken to a hospital for additional care. All of the injured inmates were reported to be in stable condition as prison staff opened an investigation into what happened.
What officials say
TDCJ spokesperson Amanda Hernandez told reporters the disturbance started in the unit gym while inmates were gathered for a religious service, then escalated into a stabbing that left three men with puncture wounds and two requiring treatment outside the prison, according to ABC13. Officials have not yet said what kind of weapon was used, and the agency noted that an internal inquiry is underway.
About the Terrell Unit
The C.T. Terrell Unit is a medium-security state prison near Rosharon that houses more than 1,500 men. The facility is listed at 1300 FM 655 and has a capacity of about 1,603 inmates, according to the TDCJ unit directory.
Contraband and safety concerns
Prison officials have repeatedly warned that contraband, from cell phones to drugs, can fuel violence and be turned into improvised weapons behind bars. Earlier this spring, an interdiction operation led to arrests and large seizures of phones and narcotics, a case that TDCJ said underscores ongoing security challenges throughout the Texas prison system, per CBS News.
Investigation ongoing
The department said investigators will review surveillance footage and interview inmates and staff as they work to piece together how the stabbing unfolded. No criminal charges had been announced as of Saturday evening, according to KTRH. TDCJ said it will provide updates as more information becomes available.
