How to Schedule Your First Visit at Harris County Jail (1200 Baker St.)

Harris County runs visitation scheduling as a countywide system, and 1200 Baker St. is one of several jail facility addresses. When you schedule, you'll need to select the correct location first - make sure you're choosing the 1200 Baker St. site, not a different San Jacinto address.

Before you can reserve a visit time, you need to register as a visitor through the scheduling application. Harris County does allow registration when you arrive at the facility, but it's much smoother to handle this ahead of time. Think of registration as the setup step - once it's done, scheduling is just picking your actual visit slot.

Harris County uses an online portal at visitinmate.jms.hctx.net for scheduling. After signing in, you can book and manage visits in one place - choosing the date, time, and location that works for you. Slots are confirmed instantly, so there's no waiting around to find out if it went through.

Once registered, you can schedule up to seven days in advance. The system is organized by facility, day, and floor - be ready to select the options matching where your loved one is housed. Use Harris County's posted schedule as your guide. General visiting hours run Tuesday through Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., with the last scheduled visit starting at 9:30 p.m. Keep that cutoff in mind if you're aiming for an evening slot.

After scheduling, watch for your confirmation email - Harris County requires a printed copy for visitation. No printer at home? You can get one printed at the Visitor Control Center. Arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled time. Harris County requires this buffer for ID verification, and it helps if there's a line or you need to reprint your confirmation on-site.

If you show up without an appointment, on-site registration is available. This can help if you couldn't register ahead of time or had trouble with the scheduling application. That said, treat walk-in registration as a backup, not your plan. Harris County is clear that visitation isn't guaranteed for walk-ins due to facility limitations and public health protocols. For the best shot at getting in, register online and reserve a slot before you go.

If the portal isn't showing available times, double-check that you're signed in at visitinmate.jms.hctx.net and selecting the correct facility/day/floor combination for the person you're visiting. For last-minute questions or to verify a change before heading out, call (346) 286-2211.