Are you worried about a friend or family member who’s been incarcerated at the Harris County Jail? It can be difficult to navigate the legal system and understand how their housing situation works, especially during such an uncertain time. 

Fortunately, this guide will break down the basics of the Harris County Jail for you – from its staffed facility capacities to inmate services and programs. You'll learn what your loved one’s experience might be like while they are being held in detention, including details around visitation rights and contact with other inmates. 

Start reading now to get all the important information that may help you understand how to navigate the Harris County Jail and its compliance standard rule and regulations.

Where is the Harris County Jail?

Harris County Jail is a large, multi-correctional facility located in downtown Houston, Texas. It houses thousands of inmates in both its upper and lower complexes and is the largest jail complex in Texas. 

The jail features a variety of safety and security protocols and offers educational programs, counseling services, and religious activities to inmates. In addition, the jail also provides medical care for inmates as well as substance abuse treatment. 

With its robust offerings and proximity to Houston's many attractions, the Harris County Jail remains a key part of the city's justice system. Its convenient location also makes it easy for most people to visit their loved ones or friends who are incarcerated here.

About the Harris County Jail

As part of its commitment to rehabilitation, the Harris County Jail provides inmates with a range of programs designed to help them succeed upon release.

Inmates are able to take part in the following:

• Educational and cultural activities
• Religious services
• Counseling sessions

Additionally, those who struggle with substance abuse issues can access recovery programs and receive adequate treatment for their addictions. 

If your friend or family member is currently incarcerated at the Harris County Jail, here is a brief breakdown of what they can expect in terms of amenities and daily life.

Workout Facilities

The Harris County Jail offers inmates the opportunity to stay fit and healthy through its designated workout facilities. The standards of these facilities are reportedly average for the size of the jail.

Featuring an on-site gym and basketball court, inmates are able to exercise regularly and participate in sports activities as part of a balanced lifestyle. This gives inmates the chance to maintain a healthier lifestyle while incarcerated and prepare themselves for life post-release.

Educational Opportunities

The Harris County Jail offers a range of educational programs through Houston Community College. 

The Corrections Education Program has been providing inmates with non-credit courses since 1973, giving them the opportunity to gain the skills they need to return to college or secure employment once they are released. 

Inmate students can take classes in vocational areas such as culinary, auto body repair, welding, business technology, and graphic arts. With its accredited courses and comprehensive offerings, the Harris County Jail is ensuring inmates have access to quality education.

Recovery Programs

The Harris County Jail is committed to providing quality rehabilitation services that transform lives. They offer several drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs. They do so through the Houston Recovery Center.

Inmate Care

The Harris County Jail provides inmates and their loved ones with a range of care services, including the Quality of Life Requests system. 

Concerned family members can submit requests through the system to alert jail staff about any issues or concerns they have about an inmate's well-being. These requests can range from health-related matters to the need for better resources or emotional support. 

With this system, inmates and their families have the assurance that the jail is committed to providing them with quality care, comfort, and support.

Medical Care

Harris County Jail offers comprehensive medical care services for inmates. With 24 beds in the medical division and 96 beds in MHMRA, inmates are provided with dedicated rooms for counseling, examination/interview, recreation, and triage. 

In addition to medical treatment, inmates are also connected to behavioral health professionals if necessary. The jail ensures that every inmate receives the best possible medical care and attention.

How to Visit Inmates at the Harris County Jail

As with other prisons and jails in the United States, visitation is a privilege and not a right at the Harris County Jail. An inmate’s visitation rights can be revoked at any time. However, this typically isn’t a big deal if the inmate behaves properly.

There are two main ways to visit an inmate at this jail: in person or over the phone.

In-Person Visits

Visiting an inmate at Harris County Jail is a simple process. Visitation hours are typically from 1 to 5 pm and 7:30 to 10:30 pm. However, on Mondays, there are no visits allowed. 

To visit an inmate, you must submit a visit request through their online scheduling system. The jail encourages visitors to arrive early to ensure they have enough time to check in and get settled before the start of their visitation hour.

All visits to the Harris County Jail last 20 minutes. You are not allowed to bring a minor (under the age of 17) to visit. There is also a one-person limit per visit. This means the inmate can only see one person at a time; if you want to bring more people, you have to schedule another visit.

Phone Calls

Calling an inmate at the Harris County Jail is not as easy as calling a friend or family member. This is a compliance standard at most county jails in the state. It's part of the jail information you can view on their website, too.

Unfortunately, inmates are not able to receive phone calls, but they can place collect calls to numbers where collect calls are allowed. Collect calls require the receiving party to accept the call and pay for it before being connected with the inmate.

If you want to make sure your loved one in the Harris County Jail can reach you, collect calls may be an option. Just remember that calls can (and likely will be) monitored. You are also not allowed to transfer a call to a third party. This is a big no-no in the prison system.

How to Send Money to Harris County Jail Inmates

Sending money to someone in jail can be a helpful way to show your love and support. 

Money can be used for basics like food and toiletries or to stay connected with loved ones through phone calls, emails, and visits. It can also help inmates access rehabilitative services and educational opportunities that may help them when they are released from jail. 

Additionally, inmates may not have access to outside funds while in jail, so sending money is an important way of helping them out until they are able to receive other forms of assistance.

Inmate Trust Fund

At the Harris County Jail, the Inmate Trust Fund (also known as the Inmate Bank) is responsible for creating and maintaining an account for each individual booked. The account helps inmates access and store money while they are in custody. 

You can add money to these accounts by sending a mail order directly to the facility or through online deposits or mobile apps. Money from these accounts can be used for basic needs, such as food and toiletries, as well as for staying connected with family and friends.

Tablet Rentals

The Harris County Jail is partnering with tech companies to give inmates their own tablets. These tablets will allow inmates to do things like:

• Make video calls
• Send messages
• Schedule visits
• Access digital mail and money deposits

Additionally, inmates will be able to watch movies and TV shows, access educational materials and legal information, and more on their tablets.

How to Bail Someone Out at the Harris County Jail

If you need to bail someone out of the Harris County Jail, head down to 700 N. San Jacinto Street, Houston, TX 77002, with cash or a surety bond. 

A surety bond is basically a written agreement between you and the person being bailed out that promises they'll show up for court. Once that's in place, the sheriff will take money from you as an assurance that this promise will be fulfilled. 

Don't worry, it's all pretty straightforward. Just make sure to bring enough cash! If you're unsure how to navigate the bail bond process for the Harris County Jail, we suggest contacting a local attorney. Several specialize specifically in bail bonds.

Browse Other Jails

We hope this guide to the Harris County Jail has been helpful. What are you to do if your loved one is an inmate at another jail, though? At Jail Exchange, we have several other resources to help you learn how to support an inmate. Click here to search for other US county jails, or browse our helpful articles for more tips and advice.