VISITATION

Visitation plays an important role in maintaining the association between inmates and their families and friends. However, inmates are not assigned to specific TDCJ units solely for the convenience of visitation. Copies of the I-218, Offender Rules and Regulations for Visitation booklet are to be prominently displayed in areas accessible to visitors. This booklet is also available in English and Spanish on the TDCJ website under “Publications.”

Visitation Hours: Visits are normally conducted on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 1:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The names of all visitors, 18 years and older (except the inmate’s attorney), must be on the approved Visitors List, which is limited to 10 individuals.

Scheduling: All facilities now use an advanced scheduling system. Visitors to the Clements, Connally, Crain, Garza West, Hutchins, Jester III, McConnell, Michael, Montford, Sanchez, Stiles, Travis, and Wynne units must register on the Securus website if they wish to schedule a video visit. For all other types of visits and for units not listed above, visitors must register on and utilize the online Visitation Portal. To visit an inmate in a mental health facility, medical facility, or on death row, visitors must contact the unit of assignment by phone.

Visitors arriving more than 15 minutes past the beginning scheduled visit time may not be allowed to visit during any of the scheduled time. Unit administration shall make every effort to accommodate late arrivals, if time and space are available.

Number of Visitors: All inmates, except those who are being processed through intake, in G5, restrictive housing level 2 or level 3, or in lockdown status, are allowed one visit every week, generally two adults for two hours. Children under the age of 18 are not counted in this number and must be accompanied by an approved adult visitor (18 years or older).

The number of children allowed per visit will be based on the amount of space available for visitation and on the visitor’s ability to manage and control the children. Additional adult visitors may be allowed at the warden’s discretion if special circumstances arise and space permits.

Visitor Identification: For visitors 18 years of age and older, a current and official government-issued identification (ID) is required.

Victims of Family Violence: The victims of family violence may be issued a card that indicates the individual has been certified as a crime victim and entitled to protection. These individuals may visit using a post office box in lieu of a physical address, when presenting the certification card and a government ID. The attorney general is authorized under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure § 56.81 to protect the address information of victims of family violence.

If the visitor’s ID is questionable or not acceptable, further verification shall be required such as, birth certificate, pictured credit card, or other official ID. Children ages 17 years and younger may be required to provide an ID such as birth certificate, DPS ID, or student ID, if the child’s age is questionable due to the physical maturity of the child. Valid student ID shall be used only for children ages 17 years and younger.

Contact Visits: Limited physical contact between eligible inmates and their visitors may be allowed if the visitors are immediate family: spouse (ceremonial, proxy or common[1]law); natural or adopted parents and stepparents; natural or adopted children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and step grandchildren; natural or adopted siblings and stepsiblings; natural or adopted grandparents and step-grandparents; aunts; uncles; nieces and nephews; and persons related by marriage (in-laws); foster parents; or the legal guardian of an inmate’s minor child, to include parent of the child.

With prior approval from unit administration, non-immediate family members may be allowed contact visits if immediate family members are unable to visit the inmate. Due to the nature of the inmate’s offense, some inmates cannot have contact visits with children under the age of 17. In addition, these same inmates will not be allowed a regular visit with children under the age of 17 unless the inmate is the legally recognized parent of that child and the child is not the victim of the offense.

Visitors are allowed to have photographs taken with their loved ones free of charge the first full weekend of each month. Two photographs are allowed during the visit – one of the inmate and one of the visitor(s) and the inmate. All photographs are emailed by the following week from a generic email address to the email address listed on the Visitation Photograph Form that was completed prior to the visit.

Search of Visitors and Vehicles: All vehicles and visitors are subject to search upon entering TDCJ property. Visitors shall be pat searched and scanned with a metal detector prior to entering the visitation area.

Small children and infants shall be removed from carriers or strollers. The parent, guardian, or accompanying adult shall carry the child through the walk-through metal detector. Under no circumstances shall children and infants be separated from their parent, guardian, or accompanying adult. Any visitor refusing the search procedure shall be required to leave TDCJ property.

Cash (except coins), alcoholic beverages, tobacco, e[1]cigarettes (and associated items), cell phones, cell phone chargers, smartwatches, pagers, laptops, cameras, or any other type of electronic or wireless devices, as well as any component of one of these devices, drugs, firearms, escape implements, or dangerous weapons are not allowed by statute and TDCJ rules and policies.

Dress Code: Visitors must follow the dress code. Shirts and shoes must be worn. Shirts and blouses of transparent material are not allowed. Sleeveless shirts and dresses are allowed but must cover the shoulders.

Shorts and skirts no shorter than three inches above the middle of the knee while standing, cropped pants or capris, and long pants are allowed. Exceptions for pre-adolescent boys and girls may be made. If a dress, pants, skirt, or any attire appears to be inappropriate, the duty warden shall be contacted for a decision.

Hats may be worn but will be searched. Visitors are not permitted to wear all white. Clothing marked by words or pictures considered profane or offensive by current public standards will not be allowed.

Carry-in Items: Visitors may bring only specific items into the unit. These items include a small wallet or change purse containing no more than $25.00 in coins. Visitors may purchase items from vending machines in the visitation area for inmates during the visit, but the inmates must consume the items during the visit. Visitors with infants or small children may bring no more than three diapers, a supply of baby wipes, and two baby bottles (“sippy” cups for toddlers).

These items shall be stored in a clear Ziploc-type bag. Visitors are not permitted to bring items of any kind to inmates. Tobacco Policy: TDCJ units are tobacco free. Visitors are not permitted to bring cigarettes, cigarette lighters, e-cigarettes (and associated items), matches, or any tobacco products into TDCJ units.

Visits must be orderly to assure that visitors and inmates are not disturbed. Visitors who cannot control their children will be escorted out of the unit. Children shall not be left unattended.

Previously incarcerated individuals, unless immediate family, will not be allowed to visit for a period of 24 months following their release date. Visitors are not allowed to switch from visiting one inmate to another. Visitors are prohibited from loitering, walking the perimeter road, or taking photographs of the facility. Radios played at a high volume and shouting at inmates will not be allowed.

Visits may be cancelled and future visits may be denied for security reasons or because of improper conduct by the visitor or the inmate.

Visits requiring special accommodations must be approved by the warden prior to the visit. Special accommodations or special needs consist of, but are not limited to: Requests for more than two adults to visit; Special needs adults requiring additional oversight; Elderly individuals needing additional oversight; and Extended visits (more than two hours).

VISITOR CHECKLIST

Confirm the inmate is assigned to the unit you are planning to visit, has visitation privileges, and that you are on the Visitors List. Bring valid identification (ID).

Call prior to leaving. If you have made special arrangements with the unit, ensure that plans for your visit have been made and are in place. Check clothing for compliance with visiting rules and regulations.

Before leaving home, check your vehicle for contraband and/or hazardous items. This includes, but is not limited to, implements of escape, drug paraphernalia, illegal narcotics, intoxicants, poisons, any items that pose a danger to others, weapons, knives, scissors, firearms, and any item used to show a gang affiliation. Remove these items before entering the correctional facility grounds.

Arrive on the scheduled day and time during proper visiting hours.

Do not have any contraband on you when you enter the facility. Leave purses, food items, diaper bags, briefcases, cameras, baby strollers, toys, dolls, photographs, tobacco, lighters, matches, cell phones, pagers, or any other type of electronic/wireless devices in your vehicle. Be sure to secure (lock) your vehicle. Do not leave minor children waiting in the car while you visit, or your visit will be terminated.

Remember to treat correctional staff with respect.

Do not bring anything to the visiting room to give to the inmate. Inmates are not permitted to take anything from the visiting area or receive any item from visitors.

Ensure that you have NO paper money on you. A maximum of $25 in coins is allowed.