The Wallace Pack Unit is suddenly one of the most talked-about correctional facilities in the United States — and for good reason. Following the high-profile murder conviction of 19-year-old Karmelo Anthony on June 9, 2026, the nation’s eyes turned to this medium-security Texas prison as the first stop in what could be a 35-year journey through the state’s correctional system. Whether you’re searching for inmate information, visitation details, or the facility’s history, here is a comprehensive breakdown of everything you need to know about the Wallace Pack Unit.
What Is the Wallace Pack Unit?
The Wallace Pack Unit, officially designated as P1 by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), is a medium-security men’s state prison located in unincorporated Grimes County, Texas, approximately five miles south of Navasota on FM 1227. It sits at 2400 Wallace Pack Road, Navasota, TX 77868, and shares more than 7,000 acres with the adjacent Luther Unit.
Opened in September 1983, the facility is operated by the TDCJ Correctional Institutions Division and is an all-male institution housing inmates across G1, G2, and G3 custody levels, as well as Administrative Segregation and Outside Trusty classifications. The unit’s total capacity stands at approximately 1,426 inmates in the main facility, with an additional 321 inmates housed in a separate Trusty Camp — bringing the combined maximum population to over 1,700.
The prison is named after Wallace M. Pack, a former warden of the Ellis Unit who was killed by an inmate in 1981.
Why Is Wallace Pack Unit in the News in 2026?
Karmelo Anthony Transferred to Wallace Pack Unit
The facility catapulted into national headlines on June 10, 2026, when Karmelo Anthony — the 19-year-old convicted of murdering 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a Frisco, Texas high school track meet in April 2025 — was transferred here to begin serving his sentence.
Karmelo Anthony was found guilty of murder on June 9, 2026, and sentenced to 35 years in prison for stabbing Austin Metcalf during a Frisco ISD district-wide track competition. After spending only one night in Collin County Jail following the verdict, Anthony was transferred to the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, and taken directly to the Wallace Pack Unit near Navasota. A new mugshot was taken upon his arrival, showing the 19-year-old with a shaved head and wearing a standard sleeveless prison tunic. It remains unclear whether Anthony will serve the full remainder of his 35-year sentence at Wallace Pack or be later reassigned to another TDCJ facility after completing the standard intake process. Anthony is already appealing his conviction.
Wallace Pack Unit: Key Facility Details
Location and Contact Information
- Address: 2400 Wallace Pack Road, Navasota, TX 77868
- County: Grimes County, Texas
- Phone: 936-825-3728
- Email: classify@tdcj.texas.gov
- Official Website: tdcj.state.tx.us
- Current Warden: Timothy Fitzpatrick
- Security Level: G1–G3, Administrative Segregation, Outside Trusty
- Year Established: September 1983
- Managed By: TDCJ Correctional Institutions Division
Inmate Population and Housing Structure
The Wallace Pack Unit is comprised of 23 housing units and a dedicated segregation unit. The main facility holds up to 1,157 offenders, while the Trusty Camp accommodates up to 321 additional inmates who have earned certain trust and privileges during their incarceration. Inmates range in age from 22 to 85 years old, and the average sentence served at the facility is approximately nine years.
Notably, the unit is classified as a Type I Geriatric Facility, meaning it is equipped to provide specialized care for elderly and infirm inmates, including 60 wheelchair-accessible cells, CPAP accommodations, and assisted disability services — a relatively unique designation within the Texas prison system.
Programs and Rehabilitation Offerings
One of the distinguishing features of the Wallace Pack Unit is its broad slate of rehabilitative and educational programming. The facility offers:
Educational Programs
- Adult Basic Education (Literacy/GED preparation)
- CHANGES/Pre-Release programming
- Cognitive Intervention courses
Vocational Training
- Construction carpentry
- Hospitality and tourism
Specialized Treatment Programs
- Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) Recovery Program
- Sex Offender Treatment Program (SOTP)
- Sex Offender Education Program (SOEP)
Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
- Faith-based dormitories
- Chaplaincy services
- Volunteer-led literacy, job skills, substance abuse education, and victim awareness programs
Reentry Support
- Reentry planning and peer education
- Community work projects with local agencies and Texas Parks and Wildlife
These programs are designed to equip inmates with skills and support systems to facilitate a successful transition back into society upon release.
Medical Services
The Wallace Pack Unit maintains a 12-bed infirmary and provides 24/7 on-site medical care. The facility also arranges off-site medical, mental health, and dental services as needed. Given its geriatric designation, the unit is specifically equipped to handle the complex medical needs of older and disabled inmates.
Visitation and Communication
Visiting Hours
Visitation at Wallace Pack Unit is generally limited to Saturdays and Sundays. Families should confirm the current schedule directly with the facility or via the TDCJ official website, as hours are subject to change.
Inmate Phone Calls
A significant policy update took effect on April 6, 2026: federal rate caps now limit prison phone calls to $0.11 per minute at prisons and large jails, and no more than $0.18 per minute at smaller county jails. Video calls are now capped for the first time under the new federal guidelines, offering substantial relief to families of inmates at facilities like the Wallace Pack Unit.
To send mail or a care package to an inmate at Wallace Pack Unit, address correspondence to the facility’s physical address and confirm approved item lists with the administration at 936-825-3728.
Inmate Locator
To locate a current inmate at Wallace Pack Unit, families can use the TDCJ Offender Search tool available on the official TDCJ website. Searches can be conducted using the inmate’s legal name or TDCJ number.
Staffing Challenges at Wallace Pack Unit
Like much of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system, the Wallace Pack Unit has faced ongoing staffing pressures. Statewide correctional officer vacancy rates hovered around 27–28% during fiscal years 2023 and 2024, driven by low pay, a 26% overall staff attrition rate, and demanding working conditions. These shortages have led to heavy reliance on mandatory overtime, which cost TDCJ $277 million for correctional officers and sergeants in FY 2023 alone.
In response, the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission has recommended that TDCJ develop a 10-year facilities and staffing plan by September 2026, which may include the phased closure of hard-to-staff units across the state.
Agricultural Operations
The Wallace Pack Unit’s vast 7,002-acre campus supports active agricultural operations, including a cow/calf program, swine finishing, grain storage, and even a buffalo ranch. The facility also manages a surplus warehouse and unit maintenance operations, providing inmates with structured work opportunities as part of their daily routines.
History and Naming of the Facility
The Wallace Pack Unit takes its name from Wallace M. Pack, a warden of the Ellis Unit who was killed by an inmate in 1981. The prison opened two years later, in September 1983, as part of Texas’s expanding correctional infrastructure during that era. Over the decades, it has grown into one of the more notable TDCJ facilities in the state, particularly for its geriatric care capabilities and wide-ranging rehabilitation programs.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on Karmelo Anthony’s incarceration at the Wallace Pack Unit and follow along as this story continues to develop — drop your thoughts in the comments below.