The La Tuna federal prison complex, which has operated in Anthony, Texas, since 1932, will be closed in an effort by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons to address decades of deferred maintenance and staffing challenges, federal officials said Wednesday.
“These actions are necessary to address longstanding infrastructure and staffing challenges while ensuring the bureau remains focused on its core mission of operating safe, secure, and efficient correctional facilities. We will support our workforce throughout this transition and responsibly position the agency for the future,” Bureau of Prisons Director William K. Marshall III said in a statement.
Officials didn’t respond to questions about how many people are employed at La Tuna. The statement from the Bureau of Prisons said that while some employees of prisons being closed or downsized will be reassigned, the staff at La Tuna will be laid off.
No time frame was given for the closure.
La Tuna is one of six federal prisons to be closed, including Texas facilities in Beaumont and Big Spring.
The prison is noted for its Spanish mission style created by El Paso architect Henry Trost. It currently houses 551 men at the low security prison and 161 inmates at the adjacent minimum security camp, according to the prison’s website.
Well-known inmates at the prison during its history included Mafia informant Joseph Valachi, mob boss Nicodermo “Little Nicky” Scarfo, former Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, former California Congressman Duncan Hunter, pornographer Max Hardcore, and El Paso businessman Bob Jones.
The post Historic La Tuna federal prison slated for closure as Bureau of Prisons restructures appeared first on El Paso Matters.
Read: Read More