The unit opened in July 1982 as the Beto II Unit.[3] It was originally named after former Texas Department of Corrections (TDC) head George Beto.[4] Construction of the bus repair facility began in October 1982 and ended in October 1984. The unit acquired additional acreage in October 1986. Construction of a 200-person trusty camp facility began in 1987 and ended in January 1989. In October 1988 the bus repair facility was converted into a manufacturer of dump beds and spreader boxes for the Highway Department dump trucks and of jail steel products for the construction of additional TDCJ units. The Louis C. Powledge Unit received its current name on May 5, 1995, after Louie C. Powledge, a former Assistant Director of Contract Construction.[3]
In 2011 the Stiles Unit metal products plant closed. Its operations were consolidated with those of Powledge and Coffield Unit.[5]
^"[offender.tdcj.texas.gov/OffenderSearch/offenderDetail.action?sid=08977806 Routh, Eddie Ray]" (Archive). Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on December 28, 2015.
^"Offender Information Detail". Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Archived from the original on 2009-07-05. Retrieved 2009-07-10. TDCJ Number 01110642 - SID 04236244