However, offenders are not assigned to specific TDCJ facilities for the convenience of visitation.

Visitation rules are posted in areas available to visitors and copies of the rules are provided upon request.

* Visitation Hours: Visits are normally conducted on Saturdays or Sundays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The names of all visitors, except children under the age of sixteen and the offender's attorney, must be on the approved visitors list which is limited to ten persons.

* Number of Visitors: All offenders, except those in the intake process, solitary confinement, close custody, lockdown status, or administrative segregation, are allowed one visit every weekend, not to exceed two hours and
not to exceed two adult visitors.

Children under the age of sixteen are not counted as a second visitor, and must be accompanied by an approved adult visitor.

* Visitor Identification: Approved visitors must present photo identification before entering the facility.

Identification may include a valid driver's license, a valid Department of Public Safety I.D. card, a current employee I.D. card or badge, a valid passport, or a current student I.D. card.

Visitors under the age of sixteen may be required to present identification.

* Contact Visits: Limited physical contact between eligible offenders and their visitors may be allowed if the visitors are immediate family (natural parents, stepparents or grandparents; natural or adopted children, stepchildren or grandchildren; natural siblings or stepsiblings; spouse; or persons related by marriage, if accompanied by an immediate family member).

With prior approval from facility administration, non-immediate family members may be allowed contact visits if immediate family members are unable to visit the offender.

Due to the nature of their offense, some offenders cannot have contact visits with children under the age of 16.

* Search of Visitors and Vehicles: Visitors and their vehicles can be searched before entering the facility.

Any visitor refusing the search procedure will have to leave the facility property.

All visitors will be screened by a metal detector prior to visiting an offender.

Cash (except coins), alcoholic beverages, drugs, firearms, escape implements, or other items are strictly prohibited by TDCJ rules and policies.

* Dress Code: Visitors must follow the dress code.

Shirts and shoes must be worn.

Shorts, cut-offs, halter tops, undershirts, and tank tops are prohibited.

Shirts and blouses of fishnet, transparent material or open midriff are not allowed.

Male visitors must wear long pants, and female visitors must wear dresses, skirts, or long pants.

Exceptions for pre-adolescent boys and girls may be made.

Dresses or skirts that appear too short will require a decision by the duty officer.

Clothing marked by words or pictures considered profane or offensive by current public standards will not be allowed.

* Carry-in items: Visitors may bring only specific items into the facility.

These items include a small wallet or change purse containing no more than $20.00 in coins.

Only visitors may purchase soft drinks to be consumed by offenders during the visit.

Visitors with infants or small children may bring no more than three diapers and two baby bottles.

Visitors are not permitted to bring items of any kind to offenders.

* Tobacco Policy: TDCJ facilities are tobacco free.

Visitors are not permitted to bring cigarettes, cigarette lighters, matches or any tobacco products into TDCJ facilities.

Visits must be orderly to assure that visitors and offenders are not disturbed.

Visitors who cannot control their children will be escorted out of the facility.

Visitors are prohibited from loitering, walking the perimeter road, or taking photographs.

Radios played at a high volume and shouting at offenders will not be allowed.

Visits may be cancelled and future visits may be denied for security reasons or because of improper conduct by the visitor or the offender.

* If you are removed from an inmate's visitation list, you will receive a letter in the mail from the Warden of that unit. The letter should state the reason why you were removed from the inmate's visitation list. If you are removed due to 'security or safety reasons' and it does not state any other information then that, you may appeal the removal with the Director's Review Committee [DRC] Office. You have 10 working days to mail the appeal letter in to DRC before DRC reviews the removal. DRC is consist of Wardens, Regional Directors, Ombudsman Personals and the Warden from that unit. More than likely DRC will reject your appeal or/and the inmate's appeal since DRC base their decision on the Warden's behalf more than the evidence of innocence or lack of evidence to prove guilty. Remember, this is a one-sided committee that believes their wardens and employees never lies or make bad decisions. Their motto is... 'Inmates and their families/friends always lies'. You will receive a rejection letter from DRC and you will not be able to re-appeal until after 6 months. During the 6 months, you will not be able to visit with the inmate. After 6 months, DRC will than review the appeal and make another decision. There is no guarantee DRC will rule in your favor after 6 months and may rule that you are not allow to visit the inmate for another 6 months. This process may repeat itself until DRC rules in your favor. However, if you are not satisfied with DRC's decision than you may appeal to the Regional Director who is over the Warden of that unit. You may also contact the Ombudsman Office to take part as the mediator for the appeal process. You can also take it further and contact your State Senator and/or State Representative for assistance, they are there to represent 'you'!

DRC Contact Information;
DIRECTOR’S REVIEW COMMITTEE
936-295-6371
P. O. BOX 99
HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS 77342-0099

TDCJ OMBUDSMAN Office and Contacts;
Ombudsman Dept.
936-294-6791
P. O. Box 99
Huntsville, TX 77342-0099

OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM

REGIONAL DIRECTORS CONTACT INFORMATION:
Region I
Region II
Region III
Region IV
Region V
Region VI
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