What You Can and Can't Do During a TDCJ Contact Visit (and What ID to Bring)
Contact visits in TDCJ allow some physical contact, but it has to stay limited and visible. Here are the rules that trip people up most often, plus a clear ID checklist for adults and kids.
During a TDCJ contact visit, you can embrace and kiss your loved one twice: once when you arrive and once when you leave. That's it. Anything more falls outside what's allowed.
Holding hands is allowed, but keep your hands on top of the table where staff can see them. If hands drop below the table or out of view, it can be flagged as a rules violation, even if your intent is innocent.
You'll sit across from your loved one, on opposite sides of the table. There's one exception: inmates may hold their young children during the visit. This applies only to children. Adult visitors still follow the standard seating arrangement.
Tip: Keep physical contact brief and visible. Stick to the allowed greeting and goodbye embrace, and keep hand-holding on top of the table.
All inmate visits in TDCJ may be electronically monitored. The one exception: attorney-client visits. If you're visiting as family or a friend, assume someone could be listening.
Reminder: Talk like someone could be listening. Save legal strategy for attorney-client visits.
ID-requirements-adults
- ✓ If you are 18 or older: bring a current, official government-issued photo ID
- ✓ Do not bring a student ID as your adult ID (it is not acceptable for visitors 18+)
- ✓ If you are bringing a child 17 or younger: the child may be required to show ID
- ✓ Accepted examples include a birth certificate, a state-issued ID, or a student ID (student ID is only for children ages 17 and younger)
Quick check: Adults need a current government-issued photo ID. For kids, bring one of the accepted forms of ID in case the unit requires it.
- Plan for limited physical contact: One embrace and kiss at the start, and one at the end.
- Keep hands visible: If you hold hands, keep them on top of the table in full view of staff.
- Follow the seating setup: You will be seated on opposite sides of the table, with an exception that allows the inmate to hold young children.
- Assume your visit can be monitored: All visits may be electronically monitored except attorney-client visits.
- Bring the right ID for everyone in your group: Adults need a current government-issued photo ID (not a student ID). Children 17 and under may need ID such as a birth certificate, state-issued ID, or student ID.
Visitation is managed at the unit level under the warden's direction. Even if you know the statewide rules, follow the unit's instructions during check-in and in the visiting area.
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