How to Request Permission for Siblings or Other Relatives to Visit a Child at Galveston County Juvenile Detention
Want a sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or other relative to visit your child at Galveston County Juvenile Detention? The facility starts with a strict "parents and guardians only" rule—but exceptions are possible. Here's how to request one the right way.
Galveston County Juvenile Detention limits visits to parents, guardians, and pre-approved visitors. Siblings and other relatives aren't automatically allowed in. To get someone else on the approved list, you'll need to go through the facility's permission process.
Note: Permission for a non-parent/non-guardian visit must be granted by the Deputy Director-Detention or the Detention Superintendent.
This isn't a decision made at the front desk. Permission for siblings or other relatives must come from either the Deputy Director-Detention or the Detention Superintendent.
- Call and ask for the Intake Officer on duty - Tell them you’re trying to get the visitation schedule and you also want to request approval for a sibling or other relative to visit.
- Explain who the visitor is and why you’re requesting an exception - Clearly state the person’s relationship to the child (for example, sibling, grandparent, aunt/uncle) and why the visit matters. Ask what the facility needs from you so the request can be reviewed by the Deputy Director-Detention or the Detention Superintendent.
- ✓ Be ready to provide the visitor’s identification if asked
- ✓ Be ready to explain (and, if requested, show) the relationship to the child
- ✓ Write down the full name and contact information of the proposed visitor so you can give it quickly
- Ask who is reviewing it and how you’ll get the answer - Confirm whether the Deputy Director-Detention or the Detention Superintendent will be the reviewer, and ask how you’ll be notified once a decision is made.
Parents and guardians receive the visitation schedule no later than the second day of detention. Don't have it yet? Call and ask for the Intake Officer on duty. They can share the current schedule and help you figure out realistic timing for an approval request.
Note: Non-parent visits are discretionary and require approval by the Deputy Director-Detention or Detention Superintendent. The facility may also make provisions for special visitation in certain circumstances, such as prior to transport to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.
If your request gets denied, have a parent or guardian make the visit instead - your child still gets that in-person support. You can also ask whether your situation qualifies for special visitation. The facility sometimes makes exceptions, particularly before transport to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.
Tip: Keep notes on your request - date/time, who you spoke with, and what they said. If you need to follow up later, having a clear record makes it much easier.
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