How Often Can You Visit? Understanding the One-Visit-Per-Weekend Rule

“One visit per weekend” means exactly what it sounds like: each inmate is allowed only one visit per weekend. In practice, that means family and friends need to coordinate with each other (and with the inmate) so you don’t accidentally show up after someone else has already used the weekend visit. If the inmate has already had a visit that weekend, later visitors can be declined when they arrive at the unit.

Weekend visiting hours are typically held Saturday and Sunday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Even with a wide time window, the one-visit-per-weekend rule still applies - so timing and coordination make a big difference.

A regular contact visit period lasts two hours. That clock starts when both the inmate and the visitor(s) are present - so delays getting processed in or getting the inmate brought out can cut into the time you actually spend together.

There is an exception for some long-distance travel. If you’re traveling more than 250 miles one way, an extended visit may be permitted at the warden’s discretion (if time and space allow), and it can be up to four hours.

Restrictions

• ✓ Rule violations or other security concerns (visitation can be temporarily restricted for an inmate or a visitor)
• ✓ Unit lockdowns
• ✓ Serious incidents such as escapes or disturbances
• ✓ Health or safety emergencies
• ✓ Unit-wide visitation cancellations (these are posted on the TDCJ homepage)

1. Confirm the inmate is at the unit and eligible for visits - Before you make plans, verify the inmate is assigned to the unit you intend to visit and has visitation privileges.
2. Check the posted updates, then call for final confirmation - The visitation information page is updated once daily during weekdays and multiple times per day on visitation days, but you should still call the unit before traveling.
3. Pick your time with the one-visit limit in mind - Since each inmate is only allowed one visit per weekend, going earlier in the day can help reduce the chance that the weekend visit has already been used.
4. Coordinate with everyone on the visitors list - Make sure no one else has already visited (or plans to visit first) that weekend, because later visitors may be declined when they arrive.

If an in-person weekend visit isn’t possible, ask about alternatives and exceptions that may apply. Remote video visits may be available for eligible inmates and can happen once per month for up to 60 minutes, in addition to contact or general visits. And if you’re traveling more than 250 miles one way, you can also ask whether an extended visit (up to four hours, with warden approval and if space/time allow) is an option.