Harris County Jail

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Reviews for Harris County Jail

Reviews by whiterain71



JM: Which jail did you visit?
whiterain71: 1200 Baker Street, Houston TX (the "big" jail)

JM: How long ago was your visit?
whiterain71: The actual visit with him was about 25 minutes. If they like you (you kept your mouth shut and followed ALL the rules downstairs when you checked in) and they like your inmate (he doesn't cause ANY trouble), you sometimes get 30 minutes. 713.755.7955 http://www.hcso.hctx.net

JM: How many times did you visit?
whiterain71: In one month, I visited him 14 times. There are only 4 visit days per week. Tuesday and Wednesday 3:30 to 9:00pm and Saturday and Sunday 4:00 to 9:00pm. 713.755.7955 http://www.hcso.hctx.net

JM: How do you go about making an appointment to see an inmate?
whiterain71: You can't make appointments. CALL FIRST 713.755.7955 http://www.hcso.hctx.net (click on inmate info at top left)to make sure they are allowed visits. Sometimes, they are in "medic" are they did something wrong and had their visits rights temporarily removed. Visits are a "first come, first serve" basis. They are only allowed ONE visit on the visit days. Up to 2 adults and 2 kids. So if your inmate visited with somebody earlier in the day, you will be denied your visit if you show up later. Coordinate with whoever is visiting so you can go together so you both get to visit your inmate.

JM: How long did check-in process take?
whiterain71: The actual waiting time - standing in line and being processed, check id, go thru metal detectors - is about 1 1/2 hours - IF you get there ONE HOUR BEFORE they start actual visitation. If you get there later after 3:30 but before 7pm, you wait A LONG TIME downstairs. So get there early and stand in line! Or go at 7pm. But be careful because they say visitation is over at 9pm, but they really will only let the inmate visit up to about 8pm. So you have to judge your time right.713.755.7955 http://www.hcso.hctx.net

JM: Were the guards accommodating?
whiterain71: Yes, but only to the people who obeyed all the rules. GO HERE FIRST BEFORE YOU GO TO THE JAIL TO SEE ALL THE RULES 713.755.7955 http://www.hcso.hctx.net

JM: What was the visiting environment like?
whiterain71: LOUD and they make you keep the doors closed when the lines get long, so if you get there late - you have to wait in line OUTSIDE in the heat. They mean that too! GET THERE BEFORE VISITATION STARTS. GO HERE FIRST BEFORE YOU GO TO THE JAIL TO SEE ALL THE RULES 713.755.7955 http://www.hcso.hctx.net

JM: How long was your visit? Did the guards ever allow you to take extra time?
whiterain71: The actual visit with him was about 25 minutes. If they like you (you kept your mouth shut and followed ALL the rules downstairs when you checked in) and they like your inmate (he doesn't cause ANY trouble), you sometimes get 30 minutes. 713.755.7955 http://www.hcso.hctx.net Everything says visits are 20 minutes, but it depends. I never got a visit LESS than 20 minutes though, but I saw other people who did.

JM: What was the parking situation like?
whiterain71: PARKING WAS HORRIBLE. Do not expect to get to park at a parking meter anywhere CLOSE to the jail so you can save money. Not going to happen. And don't park anywhere you know you are not supposed to park because your car WILL GET booted. I watched it happen to several cars. I always parked in the lot behind the jail for $5. It is $5 every day, all day. The machine takes change, dollars and credit/debit cards. DO NOT FORGET AFTER YOU GET THE RECEIPT TO TAKE IT BACK TO YOUR CAR AND PUT IT ON THE DASH. If you don't have a ticket on your dash, they WILL boot your car. They don't care if you paid and forgot, they will boot your car anyway. The lot is pretty big but there are VERY BIG POTHOLES and a lot of metal sticking up out of the lot. Flat tires! You can park anywhere in this lot and pay at any of the pay booths in the lot. JUST REMEMBER THE NUMBER ON YOUR SPACE WHEN YOU PARK YOUR CAR. You have to enter it when you get up to the pay booth to pay. 713.755.7955 http://www.hcso.hctx.net

JM: What advice would you offer to somebody who is going to visit an inmate in this jail?
whiterain71: GO HERE FIRST BEFORE YOU GO TO THE JAIL TO SEE ALL THE RULES 713.755.7955 http://www.hcso.hctx.net. Bring a change of clothes in case they don't like what you have on. And they are really picky. I know it is hot but DON'T WEAR A TANK TOP OR SHORTS. And throwing a jacket over a tank doesn't work. They still won't let you in. And just go ahead and wear jeans. Shorts are A COMPLETE NO and they will actually turn you away if they don't like if your capris are too short (anything about the knee will NOT work). Plus, the lockers cost 25 cents (nobody tells you that). I LEFT EVERYTHING IN MY CAR except my PICTURE ID and my ONE CAR KEY with the alarm thingie. They only let you take ONE KEY upstairs. And if you get a locker, your one key is your locker key. Put all your crap in a locker or don't take anything in. You can't take in ANYTHING to drink or eat while you are waiting, so don't. They will make you throw it away and then they don't "like" you and will be watching you. You can take a magazine or something to read while you wait in line, but you have to throw it away when they start. They don't like people talking and THEY WILL MAKE YOU LEAVE IF YOUR BABY STARTS CRYING OR RUNNING AROUND. You can't take any pens or pencils upstairs. But I would write notes to him before I went in the jail, put them in my pocket, then show him thru the glass. AND YOU GET THREE CHANCES ON THE METAL DETECTOR, AFTER THAT, THEY WON'T LET YOU IN. Use the bathroom first when you get there (if you have to go), there is a clean public bathroom inside. 1st thing when you walk in the door, go to the right hand side to the back. Look in the book and fill out the info on the slip. Most days during the week, the slip is blue. On the weekends it is pink or white. But it changes, so make sure you have the right COLOR slip. DON'T FORGET TO PUT THE CELL BLOCK ON THE SLIP, or they will get mad and turn you away. It says what it is in the big book. It will be like "3A-2B" or something like that. GET IN THE LINE for your cell block. Like the sign that says 3rd floor is for "3A" on your slip. SITTING IN THE CHAIRS DOESN'T MEAN YOU ARE IN LINE AND these people are serious. GET YOUR SPOT IN LINE, DON'T MOVE OUT OF THE LINE. YOU WILL LOSE YOUR SPOT. WHEN YOU GET UPSTAIRS, GET SOME SOAP OUT OF THE ANTIBACTERIAL DISPENSER IN THE BATHROOM, PUT IT ON NAPKINS, HOLD IT, WAIT FOR YOUR INMATE TO COME OUT AND SIT IN ONE OF THE BOOTHS THEN WIPE DOWN THE GLASS. You will get something gross on your face if you don't clean it first. Trust me. ALL IN ALL, YOU ARE ACTUALLY WAY BETTER OFF IF YOU JUST ACCEPT THEIR PHONE CALLS AND DON'T GO TO THE JAIL UNLESS YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO.