Mark Stiles Unit

Mark W. Stiles Unit is a Texas Department of Criminal Justice men's prison located in an unincorporated area of Jefferson County, Texas, near Beaumont. The unit, located along Farm to Market Road 3514, is 4 miles (6.4 km) southeast of downtown Beaumont. The approximately 776 acres (314 ha) unit is co-located with the Gist Unit and the LeBlanc Unit.^[1]

The unit opened in June 1993. The unit serves as the University of Texas Medical Branch hub site for treatment of HIV and other infectious diseases.^[1] As a result, the Stiles facility houses many HIV positive prisoners.^[2] A hospice for people with HIV opened at Stiles in 1997.^[3]

In 2011 the metal products plant closed; its operations were consolidated to the plants at the Coffield Unit and the Powledge Unit.^[4]

The unit offers Buddhist meditation classes.^[5]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Stiles Unit." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on July 20, 2010.
2. ^ Bass, Emily. "Separate but Equal?" HIV Positive. December/January 2000. No. 6. Here Publishing. 30. Retrieved from Google Books on July 20, 2010. ISSN 1522-3086.
3. ^ "Providing Services To Inmates Living With HIV." Centers for Disease Control. August 2001. 3 (3/3). Retrieved on July 20, 2010.
4. ^ Ward, Mike. "Prison industry programs a victim of economic recession." Austin American-Statesman. Sunday September 4, 2011. Retrieved on September 23, 2011.
5. ^ Turner, Allan. "Meditation helps inmates reach 'natural awareness'." Houston Chronicle. Saturday September 3, 2011. Retrieved on September 23, 2011.

External links

	Texas portal
	Criminal justice portal

• "Stiles Unit." Texas Department of Criminal Justice
• Rodriguez, Brenda. "For ill prisoners, time at Beaumont's 'death camp' can be for life." San Antonio Express-News. September 14, 1997. 14A.