La Tuna prison in Anthony, Texas, to close; Rep. Escobar shares concerns

UPDATE (July 9, 2026): Thursday, U.S. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar sent the Federal Bureau of Prisons a letter sharing her concerns about the La Tuna prison.

She included a list of 18 questions expressing her concern for staff, inmates and public safety. She also said her office wasn't told about the decision to close the prison.

"The decision affects real people. It affects the federal employees whose livelihoods are now at risk, the families who rely on those jobs and the surrounding communities that would economically suffer as a result of such massive layoffs," Rep. Escobar said.

You can read her full letter below.

ANTHONY, Texas (KVIA) -- Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Justice's Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) said it will close several facilities, including the La Tuna Prison in Anthony, Texas. The BOP said the closures will address "decades of deferred maintenance and extreme staffing challenges."

The BOP said La Tuna Federal Correctional Institution, Federal Satellite Low and Satellite Camp will see a reduction-in-force.

It also said "minimal staff will be affected" at La Tuna FSL since it's already non-operational.

The BOP said it's confronting a deferred maintenance backlog exceeding $4 billion. In a news release, it said the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will provide funding, but it won't be enough to fully resolve the operational and infrastructure challenges.

“We are a Bureau that acts,” said BOP Director William K. Marshall III. “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."

The BOP also said it is committed to addressing these challenges through decisive and strategic action to ensure the continued safe and secure operation of its facilities and to support the agency’s mission.

ABC-7 reached out to the BOP for comment today, a spokesperson said beyond the attached press release, they had no additional information to provide at this time.