The unit was named after Governor of TexasBeauford H. Jester, the namesake for the entire prison farm. Jester III opened in 1982. The land that Jester III sits on was purchased in 1885 by the state.[2]
In 2011 the prison's garment plant closed, and its operations were consolidated with the garment plant at the Wainwright Unit, formerly known as the Eastham Unit.[3]
In 2011 a middle school, James Bowie Middle School, and a strip commercial center opened across the street from Jester III and Jester IV Unit.[4][5]
^Ward, Mike. "Prison industry programs a victim of economic recession." Austin American-Statesman. Sunday September 4, 2011. Retrieved on September 23, 2011.
^Ward, Mike. "As prison closes, could others be next?" Austin American-Statesman. Thursday August 11, 2011. Updated on Friday August 12, 2011. Retrieved on September 23, 2011.
^"FBISD names the district’s 14th middle school campus opening in August 2011 – James Bowie Middle School Archived 2011-07-11 at the Wayback Machine." Fort Bend Independent School District. Retrieved on September 23, 2011. "James Bowie Middle School (Middle School #14), located at 700 Plantation Drive, in Richmond, Texas. "