Understanding the Visitors List at Michael Unit — Limits, Changes, and Your Appeal Rights
Planning a visit to the Michael Unit? The Visitors List rules matter more than most people realize. Here's how the 10-name limit works, when the list can be changed, and what to do if someone gets removed.
Each inmate at the Michael Unit can have up to 10 names on their approved Visitors List. This is the official list staff check before allowing anyone in - it includes each visitor's name, phone number, and physical address. If you're not on it, you won't get through the door. Confirm you're listed before making travel plans.
Tip: Before you travel, call the unit to confirm the inmate is assigned there and currently has visitation privileges.
Institutional inmates can add or remove names from their Visitors List once every six months. That's a long window when families are juggling schedules. Think ahead - especially if you need to swap out someone who can't realistically make trips anymore.
State jail, Intermediate Sanction Facility (ISF), and Substance Abuse Felony Punishment (SAFP) inmates get a shorter window: they can add or remove names once every 60 days. Even so, changes take coordination. Be clear about who needs to be on the list next and why.
Removed from an inmate's Visitors List? Pay close attention to the written notice you receive. The appeal deadline runs from the date on that notice - you have 14 days to submit your appeal.
Appeals go through the Director's Review Committee (DRC). To challenge a removal, send a written appeal to: Director's Review Committee (DRC), PO Box 99, Huntsville, TX 77342.
- ✓ Submit your appeal in writing and mail it to the Director’s Review Committee (DRC) at PO Box 99, Huntsville, TX 77342
- ✓ Make sure it’s sent within 14 days of the date on the written notice of removal
- ✓ Include enough identifying details to clearly match your appeal to the correct inmate and visitor
- ✓ Include a copy of (or clear reference to) the written notice of removal so the DRC can review what happened
- Pick your “must-have” visitors first - With only 10 spots available, start with the people most likely to visit consistently.
- Plan around the change window - For institutional inmates, list changes happen once every six months; for state jail/ISF/SAFP inmates, changes can happen once every 60 days.
- Rotate thoughtfully, not impulsively - Because you can’t swap names whenever you want, try to avoid removing someone unless you’re confident they won’t need to visit again during the current window.
Don’t wait: If someone is removed from the Visitors List, tell them right away - appeals go to the DRC at PO Box 99, Huntsville, TX 77342 and must be submitted within 14 days of the date on the removal notice.
Call the unit before you drive out. A quick call confirms the inmate is still assigned to the Michael Unit and that visitation privileges are in place - saving you a wasted trip.
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