When More Than Two Visitors Arrive: How Galveston County Splits the 30-Minute Juvenile Visit

Only two visitors can be in the visitation area at once. The total visit is capped at 30 minutes - period. Even if three or four people come to support the same child, everyone has to fit into that same half-hour window, with only two people inside at a time.

That 30-minute slot is for parents, guardians, and other approved visitors. If someone isn't on the approved list, they can't "take a turn" - even if there's extra time or other visitors step out. Before figuring out how to split time, confirm everyone planning to come is actually eligible.

When more than two approved visitors show up for the same resident, staff may divide the 30 minutes among them. There's no guaranteed formula - it depends on the day and who's working. The key point: the resident still only gets 30 minutes total, and staff may rotate people through so everyone has a chance to visit.

Suggested-division-options

• ✓ Split the 30 minutes evenly (for example, two 15-minute turns, or three 10-minute turns), with only two people in the visitation area at a time.
• ✓ Have the primary caregiver(s) use the full visit, and plan a different day for other approved visitors.
• ✓ If you’re trying to include multiple close family members, agree ahead of time who will go in first and who will swap in when time is up.
• ✓ If you’re unsure what staff will allow that day, call ahead and ask to speak with the Intake Officer on duty about the best way to handle multiple approved visitors.

If visitors disagree about who gets time - especially in a divorced-parent situation - the parent with legal custody gets first priority. The Intake Officer on duty decides whether the non-custodial parent can visit afterward, and that usually depends on whether time remains in the visitation period.

1. Ask the Intake Officer to help settle the plan - if there’s tension at check-in, let staff mediate rather than arguing in front of the youth.
2. Follow custody priority when it applies - if parents are divorced, the parent with legal custody has first priority to visit.
3. Make a rotation plan for future visits - if everyone can’t be included in one 30-minute window, agree to switch who attends on different visiting days.
4. Call ahead to coordinate - request to speak with the Intake Officer on duty before you arrive so you can align your plan with how they’re handling multiple approved visitors that day.