Contact Visits at Lopez Unit: What Physical Contact Is Allowed
Planning a visit at the Lopez Unit? The biggest question is usually simple: will you be allowed any physical contact, and how much? Here's what TDCJ allows during contact visits—and how to avoid losing your visit over a contact-rule violation.
In the TDCJ online visitation scheduler,
Submitted a relationship request and waiting on approval? Keep an eye on your scheduler home page. Until TDCJ staff approves it, the request stays visible under
Contact visits do allow physical contact - but it's limited and structured. You can embrace and kiss once at the beginning and once at the end. Think quick greeting, quick goodbye. Not ongoing contact throughout the visit. Push beyond that, and staff will step in. You risk losing visitation privileges entirely.
Hands rule: Holding hands is allowed only if your hands stay on top of the table, in full view of staff.
Visits are monitored, and TDCJ treats visitation as a privilege - not a guarantee. Rule violations or security concerns can lead to temporary restrictions for either the inmate or the visitor. Visits can also be discontinued during unit lockdowns, serious incidents like escapes or disturbances, or health and safety emergencies. Even if you've traveled a long way, the unit can pause visitation when conditions require it.
- Check what the scheduler offers for your visit - In the TDCJ scheduler, look at the visit type options (Regular, Contact, Video/Tablet). If “Contact” isn’t offered, it may not be available for your situation.
- Confirm the inmate is at Lopez and has visitation privileges - Before you travel, verify the inmate is assigned to the unit you plan to visit and is eligible for visits.
Best next step: If you can’t tell from the scheduler - or contact visits aren’t showing - call the unit for final confirmation before you travel.
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