Understanding Contact Visits at Baten Unit: What Physical Contact Is Allowed

TDCJ lists several visit types: Regular, Contact, and Video/Tablet. A "Contact" visit is its own category - separate from a regular in-person visit - and it determines when physical contact like a brief hug or kiss is permitted.

Whether you can get a contact visit depends on the person you're visiting and their current status - not just your plans. Before making the drive, confirm they're assigned to the Baten Unit and have visitation privileges. Then call the unit for final confirmation. You don't want to show up only to be turned away at the door.

Embracing and kissing are allowed during contact visits - but only once at the beginning and once at the end. Keep your greeting brief, settle into the visit, and save your goodbye for when it's time to leave. Repeated hugs or kisses throughout won't fly. This rule can feel strict, especially on your first visit. Plan for it: say what you need to say with your words during the visit, and treat the greeting and goodbye as your two moments for physical affection.

Visits last two hours. That clock starts when both the inmate and visitor(s) are seated, so any delays getting everyone in place will cut into your actual time together.

Even though TDCJ lists Regular, Contact, and Video/Tablet visits, not every option is available in every situation. Availability depends on the inmate's visitation privileges and unit assignment. That's why confirming details ahead of time matters so much when planning a contact visit at the Baten Unit.

1. Confirm they’re assigned to the Baten Unit - unit assignment can change, and it affects where you’re allowed to visit.
2. Confirm they have visitation privileges - contact visits depend on the inmate being eligible for visits.
3. Call the unit before you travel - get final confirmation right before you leave so you’re not relying on outdated information.