Penmate Inmate Support Guides
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What you can and can't bring inside Neal Unit: visitor checklist

• 2 min read • tdcj.texas.gov
What you can and can't bring inside Neal Unit: visitor checklist

Quick

  • ✓ Bring only a small wallet and/or a clear plastic bag (Ziploc® type) or change purse
  • ✓ Bring coins only for vending machines - up to $35 total
  • ✓ Leave paper money behind (bills aren’t allowed inside)
  • ✓ Don’t bring any food items
  • ✓ Don’t bring purses or diaper bags
  • ✓ Don’t bring cell phones, cameras, laptops, or any other electronic/wireless devices
  • ✓ Don’t bring tobacco, lighters, or matches
  • ✓ Don’t bring medications unless you’ve confirmed an exception for a prescribed medication

The list of items you can bring past the secured perimeter at Neal Unit is short. A small wallet is fine. So is a clear plastic bag (Ziploc® type) or a change purse. Planning to use the vending machines? You can bring up to $35 in cash - coins only. Paper money isn't allowed inside the secured perimeter, so leave the bills behind.

Prohibited Items

  • ✓ Any food items
  • ✓ Purses
  • ✓ Diaper bags
  • ✓ Baby strollers
  • ✓ Cell phones
  • ✓ Pagers
  • ✓ Laptop computers
  • ✓ Cameras
  • ✓ Digital recorders
  • ✓ Any other electronic/wireless devices
  • ✓ Photographs
  • ✓ Photograph albums
  • ✓ Toys (including dolls)
  • ✓ Tobacco
  • ✓ Lighters
  • ✓ Matches

Here's one rule that catches people off guard: no paper money past the secured perimeter. Want cash for vending machines? Bring coins, and keep it to $35 or less.

Visiting with an infant or small child? You can bring a small set of baby supplies packed in a clear plastic bag. The limit: three diapers max, baby wipes, and two baby bottles (or a sippy cup for toddlers).

Note: Medications generally aren’t allowed inside the secured perimeter. Exceptions for prescribed medications are handled case-by-case, so it’s worth contacting the unit ahead of time if you need to bring one.

Before you travel, check the Online Visitation Scheduler. If the Schedule Visit button is blank or shows

Printable Checklist

  • ✓ Small wallet
  • ✓ Clear plastic bag (Ziploc® type) or change purse
  • ✓ Coins only for vending machines (up to $35)
  • ✓ If bringing a baby: up to 3 diapers + baby wipes + 2 bottles/sippy cup (in a clear plastic bag)
  • ✓ Leave behind: food items, purses, diaper bags, paper money, photos/photo albums, toys/dolls, and all electronics (phones/cameras/laptops/recorders)

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