What You Can and Cannot Do During a TDCJ Contact Visit

During a TDCJ contact visit, you can hug and kiss your loved one, but only twice: once at the beginning and once at the end. Repeated hugging or kissing throughout the visit isn't permitted, even if your intentions are completely innocent.

Holding hands is allowed, with one big condition: your hands must stay on top of the table where staff can clearly see them. If your hands drop below the tabletop, get hidden by clothing, or move out of view, staff can treat it as a rule violation. It doesn't matter if you were just trying to be discreet.

Staff are watching to make sure physical contact stays within bounds. That comes down to two things: keeping embraces and kisses limited to the start and end of the visit, and keeping any hand-holding visible on top of the table. Contact that goes beyond those limits can get your visit cut short. Repeated issues can put your visiting privileges at risk entirely.

If you're removed from a loved one's Visitors List, or if the inmate gets placed on contact visitation restrictions, the appeal path runs through the Director's Review Committee (DRC). They are the final authority on visitation-related appeals, so they're the ones you need to reach.

1. Write your appeal - Put your appeal in writing. Keep it clear and focused on the removal.
2. Mail it to the DRC - Send the written appeal to: PO Box 99, Huntsville, TX 77342.
3. Meet the deadline - Your appeal must be submitted within 14 days of the date on the written notice of removal.

Practical Advice

• ✓ Save hugging and kissing for the start of the visit and the end of the visit only.
• ✓ If you hold hands, keep both hands on top of the table where staff can see them.
• ✓ Avoid any contact that could look like you are trying to hide your hands or movements from staff.
• ✓ If staff correct you, adjust immediately so the visit can continue.