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Visitation

Before You Drive to Michael Unit: A Pre‑Visit Checklist

A little prep can save you a wasted trip. Run through this checklist the morning of your visit to Michael Unit so you've got the basics covered and don't get turned away at the gate.

• 2 min read • tdcj.texas.gov Verified from official sources

Regular visiting hours at TDCJ units are Saturday and Sunday, generally 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. That said, confirm the current schedule before you leave. This goes double around holidays or if you're driving a long distance.

Before you drive out, double-check that your loved one is currently housed at Michael Unit and is eligible for visitation. If anything is unusual (a recent transfer, a restriction, or a request outside the normal routine), call the unit ahead of time so you know what to expect when you arrive.

Documents and ID

  • ✓ Current, government-issued photo ID for every visitor age 18 or older (you’ll show it at check-in).

Bringing children? Have a form of identification available for them too, even if you don't end up needing it. Policies for minors can vary, so if you're unsure what to bring for a child, check with the unit before you go.

Don't bring cash into the unit. Coins are the exception, and keep it to $35 or less. If you usually carry bills, stash them in your vehicle before you reach the check-in area.

No phones: Cell phones are not allowed inside the secure perimeter. Leave your phone and any other electronics locked in your vehicle or at home.

  1. Create your Online Visitation Scheduler account yourself. Visitors must create their own accounts, staff cannot create visitor accounts for you.
  2. Watch for the registration email. After you submit your email address, you’ll receive a message with a 7-digit validation code and a link to finish setting up your account.
  • ✓ The inmate’s 8-digit TDCJ or SID number (it must be 8 digits when you add them in the scheduler).
  • ✓ The email login you used to register, plus the 7-digit validation code if you’re still completing account setup.

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