What to Bring (and What to Leave Home) When Visiting Goodman Unit
A little prep goes a long way at the gate. Keep your items limited to what's allowed inside the secure perimeter—leave everything else in your car—and you'll save yourself stress and avoid getting turned away.
Keep it simple inside the secure perimeter. You can bring a small wallet, a clear Ziploc-type bag, or a change purse. Planning to use the vending machines? Coins only - up to $35 total.
Bring your photo ID. You'll need it for entry and check-in. Show up without it, and your visit ends before it starts.
Infant Supplies
- ✓ No more than three diapers
- ✓ A supply of baby wipes
- ✓ Two baby bottles (or a “sippy” cup for toddlers)
Note: Infant/toddler items have to be stored in a clear plastic bag (Ziploc-type) to be allowed inside the secure perimeter.
Prohibited Items Core
- ✓ Alcoholic beverages
- ✓ Controlled substances or any drug
- ✓ Firearms or deadly weapons
- ✓ Paper money (bills)
- ✓ Tobacco
- ✓ Lighters
- ✓ Matches
- ✓ Cell phones
- ✓ Smartwatches
- ✓ Laptops
- ✓ Cameras
- ✓ Digital recorders (and other electronic/wireless devices)
- ✓ Purses
- ✓ Diaper bags
- ✓ Briefcases
- ✓ Baby strollers
- ✓ Toys (including dolls)
- ✓ Photographs or photograph albums
Goodman Unit follows TDCJ contraband rules. Obvious safety risks like alcohol, drugs, and weapons are banned - but so are everyday items if you're bringing them in with intent to pass them to an inmate. Paper money and electronics (phones, smartwatches, laptops, cameras, digital recorders) are common reasons visitors get stopped.
Dress conservatively - don't lose your visit over clothing. Shorts and skirts must be no shorter than three inches above the middle of the knee while standing. Capri pants and long pants are fine.
- Do a car check before you walk up - make sure you’re not carrying paper money, tobacco, lighters, matches, or any electronics like a cell phone or smartwatch.
- Leave bulky bags and extras behind - purses, diaper bags, briefcases, cameras, strollers, toys, and photos/photo albums aren’t allowed inside the secure perimeter.
- Pack infant supplies in a clear plastic bag - keep it to the allowed quantities (no more than three diapers, wipes, and two bottles or a sippy cup).
- Stick to the allowed carry-in items - bring only a small wallet, clear plastic bag (Ziploc-type), or change purse, plus coins only (up to $35).
- Have your photo ID ready - you’ll need it for entry and check-in.
Quick Checklist
- ✓ Photo ID (required for entry/check-in)
- ✓ Coins only, up to $35 total (no paper money)
- ✓ Small wallet, clear plastic bag (Ziploc-type), or change purse
- ✓ If bringing a baby/toddler: no more than three diapers, wipes, and two bottles (or a sippy cup) - stored in a clear plastic bag
- ✓ Leave at home/in the car: alcohol, drugs, weapons
- ✓ Leave at home/in the car: tobacco, lighters, matches
- ✓ Leave at home/in the car: phones, smartwatches, laptops, cameras, digital recorders (and other electronic/wireless devices)
- ✓ Leave at home/in the car: purses, diaper bags, briefcases, strollers, toys/dolls, photographs/photo albums
- ✓ Dress check: shorts/skirts must be no shorter than three inches above the middle of the knee while standing; capri and long pants are allowed
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