Previously the complex was known as Harlem, the Harlem Prison Farm, or the Harlem Plantation. The state of Texas purchased the prison farm property in 1885 or 1886. Previously several private plantations based here used convict leasing for labor.[8] This system has been called "slavery by another name", as lessees operated with little oversight by the state as to their treatment of convicts.[9] The plantations included the Harlem Plantation and several adjacent tracts of land.[10] The state essentially assigned room and board to employers who leased convicts; it had few prisons until late in the 19th century.
In 1885 the state opened Harlem I Unit and Harlem II Unit.[11][12] From July 20, 1888 to August 31, 1907 a post office was located on the prison farm. After the post office closed, the post office in Richmond, Texas handled mail for the prison farm.[13]
In 1908 the State of Texas bought the Riddick Plantation, which was next to the Harlem property. The state incorporated that property into the Harlem Farm.[10]
In September 1913 several prison guards in one of the units punished twelve African-American prisoners by placing them in a 9feet 3inches (2.82m) long, 7feet 3.5inches (2.223m) wide, and 6feet 11.5inches (2.121m) high enclosure called "The Hole." The temperature in the enclosure went over 100°F (38°C), and convicts asked the guards to let them out. The guards did not let them out, and 8 of the 12 convicts died of suffocation and heat.[8]
In 1925 the prison farm had 5,005 acres (2,025ha) of land. During that year it had 260 prisoners. The complex was renamed in the 1950s after Governor of TexasBeauford H. Jester.[8]
