Ramsey Prison Farm

Opening in 1908, The Ramsey Prison Farm, otherwise known as the W.F. Ramsey Unit is a mixed-custody state prison located in Rosharon, Texas that still operates today. It spans across five former plantations and over 15,000 acres of land, housing up to 1,570 male inmates at a time as well as 321 more in a side Trusty Camp. For the first 27 years it only held white prisoners but began to house African American inmates as well in 1935. Throughout its existence, The Ramsey Prison Farm has stood as a symbol of racism and abuse with long recorded instances of officers and wardens using violence, brutality and even killing prisoners to demand power and control. Even today, the prisoners still face constant torture from the guards working there that still wear the original grey and blue Confederate uniforms.

Ramsey Farm was infamously known for its racism and corruption among prison officials. While the prison farm held both white and black prisoners and both groups were mistreated and abused, it was evident that the African Americans were targeted and punished to a further extent. African American prisoners were given longer working hours, more dangerous jobs in the mines and during the times when they were not working were regularly seen singing the blues, playing cards, reading, talking and even sleeping. No matter their behavior, many would be whipped or punished such as standing on a barrel for hours over minor rule violations. Prisoners would write letters to their families and visitors begging for their freedom. One prisoner who was known for his singing sent a letter to John Lomax who had visited to find more African American singers writing, “If you will get me out I will work for you" or "any of your peoples”. Not only were many of the guards and officials outwardly racist but many of them were also known for being corrupt and abusing their power. There are many reported instances of guards taking bribes, smuggling drugs and alcohol, as well as other illegal acts. While these were the more notable problems with Ramsey Farm there were also other aspects of the Farm that gave it the bad reputation it has today.

Ramsey Farm also made a name for itself due to its inhumane conditions and forced labor. The prison itself was dirty as well as prisoners being forced to labor long hours in the fields, mines, and railways in the heat without adequate food or water. They were forced to work a variety of agricultural jobs such as picking cotton, maintaining the soil, cow and calf operating, farming crops, as well as the Furniture Refinishing Factory many were employed at. As a result of this, many inmates suffered from malnutrition, heat exhaustion, and other health problems. For their many hours of work, the inmates were not paid using a practice known as “convict leasing” in which the state used their free labor to generate revenue. The prisoners were treated like slaves and it was legal due to a loophole in the 13th Amendment of the Constitution whereby people who committed crimes were able to be used for involuntary servitude.

Origins of Racism and Mistreatment in the Texas State Prison System

Historically, The Texas State Prison System has been used as a mechanism of racial oppression in the Lone Star State. For example, prior to the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment, much of the Black population was subjected to slavery. Thus, Black Americans who committed a crime were not sent to prison but rather remained on the plantation and received punishment there. White criminals were sent to the only penitentiary that existed in Texas prior to 1883, namely the “Walls” located in Huntsville, Texas. Following the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment, the Texas government used the prison system and black codes to oppress freed slaves, as evident from the fact that the Texas inmate population grew from 165 to 2,301, and uncoincidentally, more than half of these new prisoners were former slaves. Additionally, the state government leased prisons and convicts to private businesses in order to generate revenue. Eventually, in the late 1800s the Texas state government purchased large tracts of farmland (most of which were former plantations) and turned the land into prison farms. The state employed inmate labor to these prison farms in order to generate revenue. Additionally, oppressive state laws unjustly forced Black Texans into the prison system and racial discrimination and oppression perpetrated by prison guards and wardens was prevalent. According to the book First Available Cell, “The prison farm was a clear reminder of the vestiges of slavery that remained for convicts in the Texas prison system.” The prison farms were also heavily segregated until 1965.

Ramsey Prison Farm Today

Today, the Ramsey Prison Farm, also known as the Ramsey Unit (R1), is a region III all-male state prison located in Brazoria, Texas. The senior warden of the prison is Anthony Newton. The prison has a maximum capacity of 1,570 inmates. There are currently 429 employees working at the Ramsey Unit, with 21 consisting of medical staff and 1 in mental health services. The prison’s geographical area spans about 14,667 acres. The inmates are tasked with agricultural-related work that includes Cotton Gin, Cow/Calf Operation, Edible and Field Crops, Farm Shop, Fresh Vegetable Cannery, Grain Dryer/Storage, Alfalfa Dehydrator, Swine Finishing Operation, Security Horses, and Security Pack Canines. Additionally, inmates can work with Habitat for Humanity to help build homes.

Corruption and Abuse at the Ramsey Unit

In the 21st century, corruption and abuse still exist in the Ramsey Prison Farm. For example, at the beginning of 2018, a leaked email sent by Captain Reginald Gilbert of the Ramsey Unit revealed that he instituted a quota requiring prison guards to issue at least two disciplinary write-ups each day. He also required the guards to place prohibited items in the prison cells if there were not enough legitimate disciplinary violations to issue write-ups. The guards were to plant such items so as to give themselves an excuse to punish the prisoners and ultimately meet the quota requirements. Captain Gilbert also claimed that the Ramsey Unit would be immune to prosecution because such items would easily be deemed as contraband by state officials. Furthermore, to ensure that the quota was executed prison guards were threatened with punishment or termination of employment lest they failed to meet the requirements of the quota. Captain Gilbert's actions were a direct violation of Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Standards of Conduct section III entitled “Standards of Conduct;” and section VIII entitled “Abuse of Office.” It was also a violation of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Code of Ethical Conduct, which all employees of the TDCJ are required to comply with. Specifically, Captain Gilbert violated the section of the code of ethical conduct that reads, “I shall be firm, fair and consistent in the performance of my duties, without retribution, retaliation, harassment or abuse toward others. I shall provide and support the provision of humane custody, supervision, and care of offenders.” Captain Reginald Gilbert was eventually demoted and transferred to the Darington Unit.

In 2018, Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) officials declared that the quota issued at the Ramsey unit was not a systemic issue. TDCJ spokesman Jeremy Desel stated, However, upon further investigation, it was discovered that Reginald Gilbert was not the only major at the Ramsey Unit to violate the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Code of Ethical Conduct. For example, in August 2018, the Houston Chronicle reported that Major Juan Jackson of the Ramsey Unit planted prohibited items in prison cells, e.g., drills and drill bits, to provide an excuse to punish the inmates. Major Jackson pleaded guilty to tampering and was given four years of probation. He was also required to perform 120 hours of community service and pay a $1,500 fine. Also, three other majors at the Ramsey Unit plead guilty to similar offenses.

Additionally, news reports detailing investigations of the Ramsey Unit revealed that guards were planting drill bits in the prison cells to provide an excuse to punish inmates so as to adhere to the demands of the quotas. They did not speak out against the unjust policies of their superiors for fear of losing their job. The news reports did not reveal what the disciplinary punishment entailed. However, based on the book First Available Cell by Trulson and Marquart, which reveals what disciplinary action for inmates in Texas prisons entailed in the 1990s, one can infer those punishments included solitary confinement, loss of free time, and loss of privileges.

Furthermore, testimonies of Ramsey Unit inmates reveal that abuse is still an issue today. In 2021, inmate Michael Beck told some of the prison guards that “I just can’t take it anymore.” Beck was ignored by the guards in what appeared to be a total lack of concern for his anguish. Beck then attempted to hang himself in his cell with a fan cord but the cord broke and he fell 20 feet. The guards ran back to his cell, observed what had transpired, and proceeded to laugh at Beck. Then, they handcuffed him and transported him to a nearby psychiatric prison. Although Beck survived, he sustained injuries to his head. Additionally, no counseling was provided for the over 50 prisoners who witnessed the horrifying event. Just to be clear, it is never morally correct to attempt suicide, and Beck’s decision to do this was foolish and immoral. However, the circumstances that prompted Beck to attempt suicide are important because they reveal that the mistreatment of prisoners at the Ramsey Unit is a pressing issue that needs to be dealt with.

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