The John B. Connally Unit is a maximum-security prison for males located in unincorporated Karnes County, Texas, United States. It is located on Farm to Market Road 632, just east of U.S. Highway 181 2 mi south of the city of Kenedy, and southeast of San Antonio. The prison, with about 813 acre of space, is operated by the Correctional Institutions Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, administered as within Region IV. The unit is named for former Governor and United States Treasury Secretary John B. Connally, Jr.

History

The prison opened in July 1995. On December 13, 2000, the prison became infamous after seven inmates staged an elaborate breakout that was successful; this group later became known as the Texas Seven. During the subsequent crime spree, the seven fugitives killed a police officer in Irving. Six of the inmates were later recaptured in January 2001, while the seventh committed suicide before being captured; the six who were recaptured were sentenced to death.

Notable inmates