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Want to See MTC’s Difference in Corrections? Just Listen to these Men at the Bridgeport Facility

Video Shot Prior to COVID-19 Pandemic

“Here at MTC, it is a whole other level of doing time,” said Daniel Diaz of the Bridgeport Correctional Center in Bridgeport, Texas.

He and a few other residents of the facility spoke about facility’s culture.

Wilmer Garcia: “We have a lot of resources on this unit. This is, to me, the unit with the most rec opportunities than I have personally ever been in.”

Justin Olle: “The things that are available to us here? The ability to move around and exercise more, that fresh air, the weight system, the track, the different events that they put together like football frisbee, handball and basketball.”

Daniel Diaz: “The other day they had ‘flying a kite day’, and I was, like, wow.”

Justin Olle: “This unit offered more religious opportunities, worship services, praise team. All of these things have really grown in me because of this unit.”

Daniel Diaz: “Oh, goodness gracious, they have so many programs.

Alfred Harper: “It’s a place that kind of prepares you for re-entry into the world.”

Daniel Diaz: “What they’re doing here at Bridgeport is changing lives.”

Wilmer Garcia: “Safety’s never been an issue on this unit, compared to other units.  One of the things I like most about the unit is its very clean.”

Alfred Harper: “This is probably the safest type of institution you could come to. I didn’t even know things like this existed. When I came here I was looking around, I was like, is this Pleasantville? I’m serious, I was like, is this Pleasantville? I just couldn’t believe it, and I couldn’t believe that you could have guards that care for you. That was the most surprising thing to me. They actually care for you, and that’s unheard of.  You know, it really is, that’s unheard of. They’re stern, but they care.  You can tell, they’re going to do their job, but they are fair. It’s not like ‘you’re wrong’. They’re gonna here it out and see it through and justice is going to be served.”

Justin Olle: “The staff, they’re on top of the security, they’re actually…I mean, I here all the time of the ‘BIONIC’, and it’s really something that you see in motion a lot around here. Believe it or not I care. They actually take that step to address you like a human being, and not so much as just another number here in the system.”

About Bridgeport Correctional Center

Bridgeport Correctional Center is accredited by the American Correctional
Association—achieving 100% compliance for both mandatory and non-mandatory
standards in its most recent audit. Other accreditations and certifications include the
Correctional Education Association and the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).