How to visit, scheduling, dress code, and visitor requirements
Visitation at the TDCJ Polunsky Unit starts with the TDCJ visitation scheduler. You must create your own account—unit staff can't do it for you—and the email you register with can't be deleted or changed later. To finish setup, verify the 7-digit code sent to your email and complete every question in the Background Questionnaire. The scheduler shows visit types like Regular, Contact, and Video/Tablet. Remote video visits are scheduled through the vendor website separately from on-site visits. Normal visiting hours run Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Regular visits last two hours, starting when both you and the inmate are present. An inmate's Visitors List can include up to 10 people. Call the unit before traveling to confirm assignment and privileges.
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A little prep can save you a wasted trip. Run through this checklist before heading to Polunsky Unit—it'll help you avoid getting turned away at the door or showing up on a canceled day.
Polunsky's visiting schedule makes sense once you understand three things: weekend hours, the Monday–Sunday visiting cycle, and the two-hour visit window. Here's how it all works—so you can plan ahead and avoid showing up for a visit that won't happen.
Create and verify your TDCJ visitation scheduler account, add the inmate using their 8-digit TDCJ or SID number, and request relationship approval if prompted. Approval requests go to the unit for staff verification and stay pending until the unit acts. If you see a blank
If you're 18 or older, bring a current government-issued photo ID. At least one ID must show your current physical address (with exceptions for certified victims of family violence). Check your clothing ahead of time to avoid dress-code issues at check-in.
Extended visits may be approved by the warden if you’re traveling more than 250 miles one-way, and they may last up to four hours. Remote Video/Tablet visits are scheduled through the vendor website and are separate from on-site contact/general visits; they’re available up to once per month for 60 minutes.
Before you can schedule a visit at the Polunsky Unit, you need your own TDCJ Online Visitation Scheduler account. Here's how to create one, verify it, and troubleshoot the most common issues.
The TDCJ online visitation scheduler can be confusing — especially when you're waiting on approval or the button you need isn't showing up. Here's what each status means and what to do next.
To send money to someone at the TDCJ Polunsky Unit, you'll need to use one of the Inmate Trust Fund's approved deposit options. TDCJ accepts money orders and cashier's checks, plus several electronic channels for online payments. Each method has its own steps and sometimes its own forms. Check the TDCJ Inmate Trust Fund page for specific instructions on whichever option you choose—following them closely helps avoid delays or rejected deposits.
