Before Your First Visit to Bell County Jail (ID, Hours, Dress Code, Children & Remote Visits)

In-person visits run Monday through Friday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Here's the catch: you only get two (2) twenty-minute visits per week. Plan ahead, especially if you're traveling or coordinating with other family members.

Got questions before you go? Call the jail directly. Bell County Jail has multiple phone lines - front desk (plus an alternate), booking/intake/classification, Smart Communications, property storage, and a toll-free number. You can usually reach the right department without getting bounced around.

You'll need a photo ID, and you must be on the inmate's approved visitors list. Show up without either, and staff will turn you away - even during visiting hours. Confirm your status before making the trip.

Dress Code

• ✓ Bring a photo ID (required to visit).
• ✓ Skip short shorts, cut-off jeans, tube tops, tank tops, halter tops, mini skirts, or other revealing clothing.
• ✓ If the front desk deems your clothing inappropriate, you won’t be permitted to visit.

Kids can visit, but anyone 16 or younger must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. If you're bringing a minor, make sure the qualifying adult stays with them through check-in and the entire visit.

Remote visits are available daily from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. If getting to the jail in person is tough, this gives you a reliable way to connect from home.

The jail uses SmartInmate/Smart Communications for remote visits, and you can create an account online to schedule. The big bonus: remote visits don't count against your two weekly in-person visits. Save those for when being there in person matters most.

Practical Tips

• ✓ Arrive early so you don’t lose time from a 20-minute visit (and remember you only get two in-person visits per week).
• ✓ Bring your photo ID and have it ready at check-in.
• ✓ Go in with a plan: write down the top few things you want to cover so the time doesn’t disappear.
• ✓ If anything is unclear before you leave, call the jail - there are direct numbers for the front desk, booking/intake/classification, property storage, Smart Communications, and a toll-free line.

Turned away at the door? Call the front desk - Bell County Jail has both a main and alternate number. Clothing issues are a common reason for denied visits. If staff consider your outfit inappropriate, you won't get in. Better to call and ask what you can change than to guess.