Before You Drive to Lopez Unit: 5 Things to Confirm First

First, confirm your loved one is actually at Lopez Unit right now. Transfers happen. Showing up at the wrong unit means a wasted trip. If your assignment info is more than a day or two old, verify it again before you get on the road.

Confirm the inmate currently has visitation privileges. In TDCJ, visitation is a privilege that can be restricted for rule violations or security concerns. Even someone who's generally eligible can lose access during unit lockdowns, serious incidents, or health emergencies. Check their status before making the trip.

Sometimes visitation gets suspended unit-wide, even for inmates with privileges. Lockdowns are a common cause, but visits may also stop after escapes, disturbances, or health emergencies. When a unit-wide suspension is active, no one gets visitors.

Verify you're on the inmate's approved visitor list. If you're not approved, you'll be turned away, even with the right ID and perfect timing. Call Lopez Unit to confirm you're cleared for that day.

Sec4 ID and Address Requirements

• ✓ If you are 18 or older, bring a current, official government-issued photo ID.
• ✓ Make sure at least one ID you use to confirm your identity shows your current physical address.
• ✓ If you are a certified family-violence victim with address protection through the attorney general, an exception to the physical-address requirement may apply.

Double-check what you're wearing and carrying. The fastest way to derail a visit is arriving with something that can't pass the secured perimeter. Keep your outfit simple and your pockets and bags minimal. Fewer items means fewer surprises at the entrance.

• ✓ A small wallet, a clear plastic bag, or a change purse
• ✓ Up to $35 in coins
• ✓ If you are bringing an infant or small child: no more than three diapers, a supply of baby wipes, and two baby bottles (or a sippy cup for a toddler), stored in a clear plastic bag