Penmate Inmate Support Guides
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Lewis Unit: Visiting Hours, Visiting Cycle Rules, and Who to Call Before You Go

Planning a visit to the Lewis Unit? A little timing and coordination can save you a wasted trip. Here's what you need to know about visiting hours, how the weekly cycle works, and who to call for a last-minute confirmation.

• 2 min read • tdcj.texas.gov
Lewis Unit: Visiting Hours, Visiting Cycle Rules, and Who to Call Before You Go

Normal visiting hours at the Lewis Unit are Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The Lewis Unit runs on a weekly visiting cycle. Each cycle starts Monday and ends Sunday - and eligible inmates get one visit during that window. Once a visit happens, that's it for the week.

Contact visits last two hours, and the clock doesn't start until both the inmate and visitor(s) are present. Keep that in mind if you're juggling work schedules or coordinating with other family members - your one visit per cycle is a full two hours, but only once everyone has actually arrived.

Since each inmate gets just one visit per weekend, coordinate ahead of time with everyone on the Visitors List - and with the inmate. If two groups show up the same weekend, the second group may be turned away. The fix is simple: decide in advance who's going this weekend and who's going next, then stick to the plan.

Keep in mind: Visitation is a privilege and can be temporarily restricted for rule violations or security concerns. Visits may also be suspended during lockdowns, serious incidents, or health and safety emergencies.

Lewis Unit: Visiting Hours, Visiting Cycle Rules, and Who to Call Before You Go

Whotocall

  • ✓ Confirm the inmate is assigned to the Lewis Unit.
  • ✓ Verify the inmate has visitation privileges.
  • ✓ Call the unit for final confirmation before you travel.

If you hit a snag that needs a real person - questions during a visit, confusion about rules, or something blocking contact - ask for the Family Liaison Officer (FLO). Each unit has one, usually the duty warden, and they're responsible for sorting out visitation issues.

Even with everything planned, visits can get canceled. Rule violations, security concerns, lockdowns, serious incidents, and health emergencies can all disrupt the schedule. That's why it's worth confirming the day-of status before you make the drive.

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