Tucker Unit

The Tucker Unit, located in Tucker, Arkansas, is a maximum-security prison and working farm managed by the Arkansas Department of Correction. Established in 1916, it spans 4,500 acres and is one of the state’s oldest prison facilities.

Historically, Tucker Unit replaced the convict lease system, a practice notorious for its inhumane conditions. Over the years, the prison has been at the center of significant reforms, particularly during the 1960s under Governor Winthrop Rockefeller. Notable changes included the dismantling of the “trusty” system and the integration of living quarters.

Tucker Unit can house 1,126 inmates and serves as one of Arkansas’s “parent units” for male prisoners. It also features a vocational school and a chapel, funded partly by Johnny Cash in 1969. The prison’s history is marked by controversies, including the infamous “Tucker Telephone,” a device used to torture inmates, which was exposed during the 1960s prison scandals.

Today, Tucker Unit operates as a modern correctional facility, though it retains its agricultural roots, with inmates working on rice and soybean farms. Visitation is held on:

• Saturdays and Sundays, with sessions from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Visitors must be pre-approved and adhere to strict guidelines.

Despite its troubled past, Tucker Unit has evolved into a facility focused on rehabilitation and compliance with federal standards. Its history serves as a reminder of the importance of ongoing reform in the correctional system.

For further information about the Tucker Unit, including inmate records search and visitation details, individuals can refer to the official website of the Arkansas Department of Corrections or utilize online inmate search platforms specific to the state of Arkansas.