Visiting with Children at Hidalgo County Jail: First‑Weekend Rules and What to Expect
Bringing kids to visit takes extra planning—mostly around scheduling and security screening. Here's what Hidalgo County Jail expects for children's visitation, so you can show up prepared and avoid a cut-short visit.
Children's visitation at Hidalgo County Jail happens the first complete weekend of each month - Friday through Monday. If you're planning to bring a child, mark that weekend on your calendar.
Everyone goes through security before reaching the visiting area. You'll pass through a metal detector, and staff may search you as well. If you're bringing children, give them a heads-up: there's usually some waiting, directions from staff to follow, and a check of anything you're carrying.
Note: The facility may also use electronic detection devices and, if needed, a canine to help with searches.
Bringing a baby or toddler? Assume anything you carry in can be inspected. Hidalgo County Jail says bags, infant car seats, and strollers are all subject to search. Keep things simple - bring only what you truly need, and be ready to open or unpack items for staff.
Quick reminder: You’ll go through a metal detector, and any bags, strollers, or infant car seats you bring in can be searched.
Before you leave home, do a quick "car check" for anything that could get you turned away. Hidalgo County Jail prohibits a long list of items in visitation areas: cell phones, tablets, computers, cameras, recording devices, and electronic devices of any kind. Food, drinks, and tobacco products aren't allowed either. Neither are purses, bags, lighters, or matches. Weapons of any type are also prohibited. Leave all of this in your vehicle - don't even bring it to the door.
Warning: If anyone - including a child - has prohibited items or is disruptive and doesn’t follow staff directives, the visit can be stopped and visiting privileges may be revoked.
- ✓ Leave phones, tablets, computers, cameras, and recording devices in your car
- ✓ Don’t bring food, drinks, or tobacco into the visitation area
- ✓ Leave purses/bags and items like lighters or matches in your car
- ✓ Do not bring any type of weapon
- ✓ Keep children attended and under your control the entire time
- ✓ Be ready to end the visit early if staff stop it due to prohibited items or disruptive behavior (visiting privileges may be revoked)
- Plan around the children’s weekend window - Children’s visitation is held the first complete weekend of each month, running Friday through Monday.
- Prepare your child for screening - All visitors must go through a metal detector, and you may be searched before visitation.
- Pack light with baby gear - Bags, infant car seats, and strollers are subject to search, so bring only what you’re comfortable having inspected.
- Keep kids close and calm - Children must be attended and under your control at all times; disruptive behavior can end the visit early.
- Don’t risk prohibited items - If anyone (including a child) has prohibited items or is disruptive, the visit can be stopped and visiting privileges may be revoked.
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