Dallas is the gateway to East Texas TDCJ facilities. The Huntsville prison hub is roughly 2 hours south, making it accessible for travel nurses based in the Metroplex.
Quick Answer
Travel nurses near Dallas can work at 3 correctional facility clusters within 110 miles. Pay ranges from $2,800 to $2,900 per week.
| Facility | City | Drive | Avg Pay | Roles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
TDCJ Huntsville Unit (The Walls) & surrounding units | Huntsville | 1 hr 45 min | $2,900/wk | RN, LVN |
TDCJ Eastham Unit | Palestine | 1 hr 40 min | $2,800/wk | RN, LVN, CNA |
TDCJ Coffield Unit area | Henderson | 1 hr 50 min | $2,800/wk | RN |
Safer staffing ratios
Correctional facilities follow structured nurse-to-patient ratios, unlike many hospital settings.
Predictable schedules
12-hour shifts, 3 days per week. Minimal mandatory overtime compared to acute care.
Premium pay packages
Correctional assignments frequently pay more than comparable hospital positions.
Long contracts
13-week contracts with frequent extension opportunities. Less frequent relocation.
Varied clinical experience
Correctional nursing covers chronic care, urgent care, psych, and intake screenings.
High job security
Government-operated facilities have consistent staffing demand regardless of economic cycles.
CatSol recruiters specialize in TDCJ placements. We handle the background check, credentialing, and onboarding.
The Huntsville hub (about 110 miles south) is the largest concentration of TDCJ units near Dallas. The Palestine/Henderson area in East Texas also has multiple units within 2 hours.
Texas is a compact state, so nurses with multi-state compact licenses can work in Texas without a separate state license. CatSol verifies your compact status and handles any licensing paperwork.
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