Understanding contact visits at HighTower Unit: what physical contact is allowed

In the TDCJ online visitation scheduler, “Contact” is listed as its own visit type, separate from options like Regular and Video/Tablet. If you’re scheduling a visit to HighTower Unit and you see “Contact” as an option, that’s the category that generally allows limited physical contact during the visit.

Even though contact visits allow some physical contact, you should still assume the visit isn’t private. All inmate visits - except attorney-client visits - can be electronically monitored, which means what you say and do during a contact visit may be observed or recorded.

For TDCJ contact visits, the rule on hugging and kissing is pretty specific: embracing and kissing are allowed once at the beginning of the visit and once at the end. That usually means you can greet each other with a quick hug/kiss when you first sit down, and then do the same when the visit is over - but not repeatedly throughout the visit.

Holding hands is allowed during the visit, but only in a way staff can clearly see. Keep your hands on top of the table and in full view the entire time - no hands in laps, under the table, or blocked by clothing or personal items. If you’re unsure what counts as “in view,” the safest approach is simple: hands visible on the tabletop at all times.

Contact visits are still a privilege, not a guarantee. Visitation can be temporarily restricted if there are rule violations or security concerns, and it can be discontinued during lockdowns or serious incidents like escapes or disturbances. Visits can also be paused due to a health or safety emergency.

Availability can also depend on factors beyond your control, including how the visitation area is set up and how visitation is managed at the unit level. Even if the scheduler lists “Contact” as a visit type, not every visit type is always available - options can vary based on the visitor/inmate relationship, the facility’s visitation-area design, and the inmate’s visitation privileges.

Tips to Avoid Problems

• ✓ Follow staff directions right away - visitation can be restricted or discontinued for rule violations or security concerns.
• ✓ Save hugs and kisses for the start and the end of the visit (once each).
• ✓ If you hold hands, keep both hands on top of the table and fully visible to staff the whole time.
• ✓ Speak and act like you’re being monitored, because non-attorney visits may be electronically monitored.
• ✓ Have a backup plan for schedule changes - lockdowns, serious incidents, or health/safety emergencies can interrupt visits.