Visitation Rules at Hobby Unit: Frequency, How Long Visits Last, and What Physical Contact Is Allowed

Normal visiting hours are Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. That's the window when the unit conducts visits - not a guarantee you'll get the full day. Your actual visit has a set length once it begins.

Eligible inmates are allowed one visit per visiting cycle, which works out to one visit per week. That usually means planning for a single weekend visit. If you're coordinating with multiple family members, pick your day early and get everyone on the same page.

A regular visit lasts two hours. The clock starts when both the inmate and visitor(s) are present - not when you arrive at the facility. If check-in takes longer than expected, your two hours doesn't pause. I recommend building in extra time and confirming the inmate's assignment and visitation status before you drive out.

During a contact visit, some physical contact is allowed - but it's limited. Embracing and kissing are permitted once at the beginning and once at the end. Keep greetings and goodbyes brief and save the rest of your time for talking.

Holding hands is allowed during contact visitation, but hands must stay on top of the table where staff can see them. If hands drop below the tabletop or out of view, expect staff to intervene.

Extended visits are possible in some situations, but they're not automatic. At the warden's discretion, visitors traveling more than 250 miles one way may be allowed up to four hours - if time and space permit.

Need to get multiple adults in to see the same person? Split visits can help. They allow up to four adults total by dividing time into one- or two-hour increments - for example, two adults for the first half and two different adults for the second. To request a split visit, tell the visitation officer during check-in.

1. Call before you travel - confirm the inmate is assigned to the unit and has visitation privileges before you make the drive.
2. Ask about an extended visit if you’re traveling far - if you’re coming from more than 250 miles away (one way), request an extended visit and be ready to explain your travel distance.
3. Request a split visit at check-in - if you need to rotate up to four adults through one visiting period, tell the visitation officer during the check-in process that you want a split visit.

Practical Tips

• ✓ Call the unit before you travel to confirm the inmate’s assignment and visitation status.
• ✓ Bring valid photo ID, and use the TDCJ list of acceptable IDs to make sure yours will be accepted.
• ✓ Create your own account in the TDCJ Online Visitation Scheduler - staff can’t create a visitor account for you.