Getting on the Visitors List: The 10-Person Limit and How to Make Changes
Planning a visit? Your first step is getting on the approved Visitors List. Here's how the 10-person limit works, when changes can be made, and what to do if you're not listed—or you've been removed.
Each inmate can have up to 10 people on their Visitors List. If the list is full, someone has to come off before a new name can go on. This is the official roster of who's approved for visits during authorized hours - your name needs to be on it before you make travel plans.
Note: Before you travel, confirm the inmate is assigned to the unit you plan to visit, then call the unit for final confirmation.
For inmates in institutional units, Visitors List changes can only be requested once every six months. You can't swap names week-to-week, even if plans fall through or a visit didn't happen.
State jails, intermediate sanction facilities (ISF), and substance abuse felony punishment (SAFP) units allow changes more often - once every 60 days. That shorter window helps when families are juggling rides, childcare, or long-distance travel.
- Confirm the inmate’s unit assignment before you go - Make sure they’re assigned to the unit you plan to visit, then call the unit for final confirmation before you travel.
- Ask the inmate to request a Visitors List change if your name isn’t listed - If you’re not on the approved list, the inmate will need to start the add/delete process.
- Pin down the next eligible change window - Institutional units allow a list change once every six months; state jail/ISF/SAFP units allow a list change once every 60 days.
Timing matters: If the last change was recent, the inmate may have to wait until the next six-month (institutional) or 60-day (state jail/ISF/SAFP) window to submit another add/remove request.
Removed from an inmate's Visitors List? You can appeal in writing to the Director's Review Committee (DRC). The deadline is tight: your appeal must reach them within 14 days of the date on your removal notice. Don't wait - get it in writing and send it promptly.
- Read the removal notice carefully - Your 14-day deadline is based on the date on that written notice.
- Write your appeal - Put your request in writing and keep it clear and focused.
- Address it to the Director’s Review Committee (DRC) - Submit the written appeal to the DRC at: Director’s Review Committee (DRC), PO Box 99, Huntsville, TX 77342.
- Send it within 14 days - Appeals submitted after the 14-day window won’t meet the stated deadline.
Find an Inmate at Powledge Unit, TX
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
