What You Can't Bring to Tarrant County Jail Visits (And What to Do With Your Phone)

Short List Refused

• ✓ Cell phones
• ✓ Cameras and electronic recording devices
• ✓ Tobacco, lighters, and matches
• ✓ Backpacks, bags, and purses
• ✓ Unlabeled prescription medication
• ✓ Food or drinks (except as allowed for infants)

Tarrant County Jail has strict rules about what you can bring into the visitation area. Phones, cameras, and recording devices of any kind are prohibited. Same goes for tobacco products - cigarettes, lighters, matches. Backpacks, bags, and purses won't make it past check-in either, and unlabeled prescription medication isn't allowed. Your best bet? Arrive with only what you truly need and leave everything else secured outside.

Once you're inside for a visit, you stay inside. Tarrant County Jail doesn't allow visitors to leave and re-enter during the same visit. Plan ahead - if you're thinking about stepping out to stash something or take a call, you'll lose your visit.

Infant Items Inspection

• ✓ One diaper bag (if you’re bringing an infant)
• ✓ Blanket for the infant (only if it fits into the diaper bag)
• ✓ Bottles (only if they fit into the diaper bag)
• ✓ Infant carrier (allowed, but it will be visually inspected)
• ✓ Food or drinks only as allowed for infants (no other food or drinks in the visitation area)

Visiting with a baby? Pack light. You're limited to one diaper bag, and blankets and bottles must fit inside it - no extras. If you're using an infant carrier, staff will visually inspect it. Keep things easy to see and skip the hidden pockets to speed things along.

1. Leave your phone behind before you enter - Cell phones aren’t permitted in the visitation areas, so secure it in your vehicle before you go inside.
2. Don’t bring a bag as your “phone solution” - Backpacks, bags, and purses also aren’t permitted in the visitation areas, so plan to carry as little as possible.
3. Make your plan before check-in - Because there’s no in-and-out during visits, handle your phone and other belongings first so you’re not stuck once you’re inside.

Backpacks, bags, and purses aren't allowed in the visitation area, so plan to arrive without them. If you normally carry a purse or bag, transfer just the essentials to your pockets before you go. Leave everything else secured outside - you don't want to be scrambling at the door.