visiting rules for visiting hidalgo county inmates
One of the most important aspects of an inmate’s well-being is receiving visits from family and friends. Hidalgo County Adult Detention Center faces the great challenge of encouraging visitors, while also enforcing rules that may be discouraging or even seem pointless to some. It is important to know the institution’s rules and procedures to ensure that you are able to attend a visitation session and that your visit runs smoothly and safely. To make it easier for everyone to visit an inmate at the Hidalgo County Adult Detention Center, we’ve compiled the most important things to know before your visit:
1) All visitors must be on the inmate’s approved visiting list.
The inmate will establish this list during the initial intake process and may update the list after six months of incarceration.
2) In order for the inmate to add you to their list of approved visitors, they must know your full name and date of birth.
If the inmate does not know this information, they should still put their name on the card and we will verify the information once they come to visit us.
3) if the inmate is moved to a new cell and was not moved for rule violations you will still be able to visit, but if it was for rule violations you will need to find out the new date and time you will need to reschedule your visit .
4) All visitors must be 17 years of age or older.
everyone else will be considered a child and may only visit on children’s week, which is the first full week of the month beginning on Friday and ending on Monday.
5) All visitors over the age of 17 must present a valid photo ID which can be any of the following:
– state driver’s license issued by the state department of public safety
– texas voter identification certificate issued by dps
– texas personal identification card issued by dps
– texas license to carry a firearm issued by dps
– United States military identification card containing the person’s photograph
– United States citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph
– united states passport
– any ID issued by a foreign government (Mexico ID)
6) If the adult visitor (over the age of 17) does not have a current (expired) ID, they may present an ID with one of the following:
– valid voter registration certificate or utility bill in your name with address.
7) All visitors may be searched and must pass through a metal detector. the facility may use electronic detection devices and, if necessary, a canine to assist in their search.
8) All inmates are entitled to a minimum of two (2) twenty (20) minute visits per week
– at least one visiting period will be at night or on weekends.
9) Time can be split with a visitor on the approved visitor list.
– time will not stop or pause during the change.
10) Any person (including a child) who fails to listen to staff directives, or who disrupts and engages in inappropriate conduct, will have their visit suspended and may be subject to having their visiting privileges revoked.
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11) the entry of cell phones, tablets, computers, cameras, recording devices, electronic devices of any kind, food, beverages, tobacco, wallets/purses and related products such as lighters, matches and any type of weapon. to visiting areas, please leave these items in your car.
– Anyone (including a child) caught with any of these items will have their visit stopped and their visiting privileges will be revoked.
12) Children’s visits will be the first full weekend of each month, beginning on Friday and ending on Monday.
13) All children must be attended and under the control of the visitor at all times, disruptive children may cause your visit to end early.
14) All bags, infant car seats and strollers are subject to search.
15) Visitors will not be allowed to smoke inside the facilities.
16) Weapons will not be permitted anywhere on the facility grounds.
17) All state and federal laws will be enforced.
18) The visit will be automatically denied if the visitor:
– has a history of disruptive behavior.
– you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
– refuse to submit to a search or show proper identification.
– is directly related to the criminal behavior of the inmate.
– you are currently on probation or parole.
– would be detrimental to the inmate’s rehabilitation.
– is a known gang member or gang associate.
– you have an arrest warrant from an agency.
– has been incarcerated/booked in the hcso in the last 12 months.
Dress code for inmate visitors:
All visitors must adhere to the Hidalgo County Adult Detention Center dress code. the dress code is strictly enforced, and violating it is grounds for a visit being denied. To ensure compliance, be sure to dress conservatively, read the dress code rules, and always contact the facility with any additional questions. We recommend that you always leave a change of clothes in your car so that if something you are wearing is deemed inappropriate, you can change quickly and not miss a visit.
• Any clothing containing offensive or profane language or images is not permitted.
• shorts and skirts may be no shorter than three inches above mid-knee while standing.
• No steel-toed boots/shoes.
• revealing gang tattoos
• All men’s and women’s shirts must cover the shoulders, including dresses.
• Clothing that exposes the midriff, back, shoulders, upper chest, thighs, or other large areas of skin is not permitted.
• No tight clothing such as spandex, leggings, tank tops, tank tops, etc.
• Sheer or see-through clothing is prohibited.