Texas leads the nation in prison population growth, CW33 reported in July 2025, and as the number of inmates grows, the state is making more room. Two major projects in the pipeline make space for 800 new inmates in Southeast Texas and the Panhandle.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), which oversees both facilities, did not immediately respond to Chron’s request for comment by publication time.
Located at 8602 Peach Ave. is Lubbock’s John Montford Unit—a 950-person state prison specializing in psychiatric treatment for male inmates. The TDCJ is planning a $21.5 million expansion of a 50,000 square-foot corrections dormitory unit with capacity for 400 inmates.
While details submitted to the TDLR are subject to change, construction could break ground this October and last through late March 2028. Dallas-based HDR Inc. is the listed design firm.
Nearby, a new 108,430 square foot, 50-bed maximum security psychiatric treatment center is also under construction, with plans to open in 2027, according to KCBD. The $121 million project is funded by a $2.5 billion investment from the state legislature to expand mental healthcare across Texas.
Looking at the expansion plans for the J. W. Hamilton facility feels like deja-vu. The TDCJ also has plans for a $21.5 million 400-bed expansion at 200 Lee Morrison Ln. in Bryan. The square footage, construction timeline and design firm is also the same as listed for the Montford Unit expansion.
Hamilton Unit currently has capacity for 1,166 inmates and employs 256 staff members on a 350-acre property. Constructed in 1996, the facility is a pre-release facility for male inmates, meaning it focuses on job training, substance abuse recovery and rehabilitation, according to the TDCJ unit directory.
The two projects are part of a much larger statewide effort to expand the state’s prison capacity. Roughly $301 million will go towards 14 dorm expansion projects at TDCJ facilities, according to a July 2025 news release. In addition, another $214.8 million will be dedicated to major repair and renovation projects for fiscal year 2026-27.
Twelve additional expansions are planned for the TDCJ’s Bell, C. Moore, Hightower, Jester III, Luther, Memorial, Pack Sanchez and Travis County facilities.