How to visit, scheduling, dress code, and visitor requirements
Plan ahead for visits at Hobby Unit by scheduling through the TDCJ Online Visitation Scheduler. You'll need to create your own account, confirm registration with the 7-digit email validation code, and enter the inmate's eight-digit TDCJ/SID number when prompted. Eligible inmates normally receive one visit per visiting cycle (week). Regular visiting runs Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Each visit lasts two hours, starting when both the inmate and visitors are present. Contact visits allow limited physical contact—a brief embrace or kiss at the start and end, plus hand-holding with hands on the table. If you're traveling over 250 miles, split and extended visits (up to four hours) may be available at the warden's discretion. Bring a current government-issued photo ID. Keep cash outside the secure perimeter (coins up to $35 are okay), and leave your phone outside. Expect searches. Remote video visits via kiosks are also available.
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
Getting on (and staying on) an inmate's Visitors List at Hobby Unit comes down to a few rules: the list has a hard size limit, changes only happen on a set timeline, and removals have a short appeal window. Here's how to handle each part.
Scheduling your first visit can feel like a lot. But the TDCJ Online Visitation Scheduler is manageable once you know where people typically get stuck. Follow the steps below to set up your account, add your loved one, and book the right visit type for Hobby Unit.
Visiting someone at the Hobby Unit? Your first step is getting set up in the TDCJ Online Visitation Scheduler. The process is straightforward, but a few details—like which email you register with—can't be changed later. Here's how to avoid common pitfalls.
Visiting at the Hobby Unit starts with one key piece of paperwork: the inmate's approved Visitors List. Here's how the list works, who can be on it, and how often names can change—so you can plan ahead.
Visiting at Hobby Unit follows a set schedule with clear limits on frequency, duration, and physical contact. Here's what to expect before you make the trip.
Trying to book a video visit at Hobby Unit? Here's where it gets confusing: there are actually two different "video" systems. The TDCJ Online Visitation Scheduler offers a "Video/Tablet" visit type, while Securus runs a separate remote video (kiosk) program. They have different scheduling processes, different limits, and aren't available everywhere.
A smooth visit comes down to a few basics: confirm the visit is actually happening, bring the right ID, and leave anything questionable in the car.
Use the TDCJ Online Visitation Scheduler to create your own visitor account—staff can't create it for you. After entering your email, you'll receive a link and a 7-digit validation code to complete registration. Then use the inmate's eight-digit TDCJ/SID number to schedule once the unit verifies your relationship. If the scheduler shows
If you’re 18 or older, bring a current government-issued photo ID; student IDs are only accepted for visitors age 17 and younger. At least one ID you present must show a current physical address (except for certified victims of family violence).
Leave cash outside the secure perimeter—coins are allowed, but not more than $35. Cell phones aren't permitted inside. Be prepared: unit staff may search both you and your vehicle.
Sending money or ordering commissary for someone at the Hobby Unit can be confusing—especially when TDCJ rules trip you up and cause delays. Here are the five questions families ask most, along with the rules that actually matter.
Getting calls and remote video visits from Hobby Unit starts with phone registration. Here's how enrollment works, what you'll need, what to expect during calls, and how to schedule the $10 remote video visit option.
If your loved one is at the Hobby Unit, you'll need to register your phone number before calls can come through. Once that's done, calls follow TDCJ's statewide rules—set hours, time limits, and monitoring.
