Before You Drive to Lopez Unit: 5 Things to Confirm First
A long drive is hard enough without getting turned away at the door. Before heading to Lopez Unit, run through these five checks to make sure a visit is actually possible that day.
First, confirm your loved one is actually at Lopez Unit. Transfers happen. If you show up at the wrong facility, you won't get a visit. Check the current assignment before you leave - and if anything seems off, call the unit to verify.
Next, make sure the inmate still has visitation privileges. In TDCJ, visitation is a privilege that can be restricted for rule violations or security concerns. Status changes happen, so don't assume last month's situation applies now. Confirm privileges close to your travel date.
Check the Lopez Unit visitation schedule and confirm visitation hasn't been canceled. Even if the inmate is eligible, they can't receive visitors on a canceled day. This is one of the fastest ways to avoid a wasted trip.
Note: Schedules can change quickly - lockdowns, disturbances, or emergencies all affect visitation. Your safest bet is calling Lopez Unit for final confirmation before you hit the road.
Being family doesn't automatically mean you're approved to visit. Before you travel, verify you're on the inmate's approved visitors list at Lopez Unit. If you're unsure, call to confirm - guessing can mean driving hours only to get turned away.
Recently submitted a Relationship Request through the TDCJ Online Visitation Scheduler? Build in time for processing. After you submit, the request goes to the inmate's unit where staff verify the relationship. Until approved, it stays in "Relation Requests Pending Approval" on your scheduler home page. Check that status before planning a long drive.
Tip: A pending relationship request isn't a green light. Call the unit to ask whether your request has been received and is being processed.
ID and Clothing Requirements
- ✓ If you’re 18 or older, bring a current, official government-issued photo ID.
- ✓ Make sure at least one ID you use shows your current physical address.
- ✓ If you’re certified for address protection as a victim of family violence, exceptions may apply.
Check your outfit against Lopez Unit's clothing guidelines before leaving home. Dress code violations are one of the easiest ways to lose a visit. When in doubt, keep it simple and conservative - you don't want to discover a problem after driving all that way.
Final check: Call Lopez Unit shortly before you leave to confirm the inmate's location and that visitation is still on. Online info gets updated often, but a quick call is your best protection against last-minute changes.
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