Who to Call Before You Drive: Confirm the Inmate and Visitation Status

Quick Checklist

• ✓ Call the unit to confirm the inmate is assigned there and still has visitation privileges.
• ✓ Confirm the unit visitation schedule for that day and verify visitation has not been canceled.
• ✓ Verify you’re an approved visitor (and that you’re on the inmate’s Visitors List, if applicable).
• ✓ If you arranged a special visit or need accommodations, call to confirm the plan is in place before you leave.
• ✓ Make sure you have acceptable government-issued photo ID if you’re 18 or older.

Before you drive, confirm the inmate is actually assigned to the unit you plan to visit and that they have visitation privileges. One phone call can save you a long trip that ends at the front gate. Even if you checked online earlier, call the unit for final confirmation. Visitation information gets updated regularly - more often on visitation days - and last-minute changes happen. Treat the call as your green light to leave home.

Confirm the unit's visitation schedule for the day you're coming and ask directly whether visitation has been canceled. If it's canceled, even an otherwise eligible inmate can't receive visitors - so get a clear yes or no before hitting the road. Weekend visiting hours are generally Saturday and Sunday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., but verify what applies to your specific unit and day. Visitation can be temporarily discontinued during lockdowns, serious incidents, or health and safety emergencies, and those situations change fast. Planning around work, childcare, or a long drive? Ask what time you should arrive and whether anything is affecting visits that day. A two-minute check can prevent hours of frustration.

Don't assume you're cleared just because you've visited before. Verify you're an approved visitor for that inmate - if you're unsure, contact the unit and ask them to confirm your status. This matters because there are limits on how many people can be on an inmate's Visitors List (up to 10 names). If your name isn't approved or isn't on the list, you can be turned away even with valid ID and a long drive behind you.

If you arranged a special visit or need accommodations, call the unit before you leave to make sure everything is still in place. Even when you've already spoken to someone, re-confirm on the day you're traveling - don't rely on an old message or assume a shift change won't affect things. When you call, briefly explain what was arranged and who you spoke with, if you have that information. The goal is simple: confirm your plan is on the schedule and ready when you arrive.

What Not to Bring

• ✓ Cash (bills) - don’t bring it; only coins are allowed, and not more than $35.
• ✓ Cell phone - no cell phones are allowed inside the secure perimeter.

If you’re 18 or older, bring acceptable government-issued photo ID. TDCJ maintains a list of what counts as appropriate photo identification - check that list ahead of time so you don’t get stopped at check-in over something avoidable.

1. Check the latest TDCJ visitation information - look for the unit’s current visitation details and any posted unit-wide cancellations.
2. Call again and ask for the right point of contact - if you can’t get a clear answer, ask for the unit’s Family Liaison Officer (FLO) or the duty warden.
3. Confirm the essentials once you reach someone - verify the inmate’s unit assignment, visitation privileges, and that visitation is still on for the day.