While the bars at Walker-Sayle prison keeps inmates in, it cannot keep out COVID-19 as positive cases have spiked in the recent weeks. According to the daily Stephens Memorial Hospital update, as of Nov. 11 there were 19 active cases. By the next day 49 offenders recovered. The progression started with two active cases on Friday, November 6. The numbers rose on Monday, November 9 with seven active cases. The following day numbers reached to 17.

The prison also has four employees as active cases, 19 employees have recovered, with 126 individuals under medical restriction, and 17 under medical isolation, according to statistics from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

The Walker-Sayle unit currently has a capacity of 632, with a population of over 500 and nearly 150 employees.

Although the Walker-Sayle Unit is in Stephens County, the total number of active or recovered cases do not factor into the case count within the community.

Stephens County provides the Walker-Sayle Unit with health insurance, a nurse, and a doctor that visits periodically.