Visiting Polunsky Texas Prison Unit

[iamquinn]

Hey all. So I've spent a great deal of time researching information in regards to visiting an inmate on DR, and I'm trying to process the idea of going for a visit. I'm very limited in my capabilities. I currently reside in New York City, where the need for a vehicle is virtually unnecessary. My driver's license was revoked several years ago and I haven't bothered to reinstate it because I truly had had no intention of driving. The fines to reinstate are astronomical and I can't justify spending the little money I make on paying the government.

From what I gather, the prison is in the middle of a rural area without convenient means of public transportation. This didn't feel like too much trouble for me because I found a few taxi services as well as bus services. Upon further reviewing the prison policies, using a taxi service has made me feel uncomfortable. If I read correctly, I will not be able to bring my purse, holding my cash, cell phone, and other things I feel would be necessary in order to return me back to the hotel I'd be staying in. I feel very anxious about traveling to this place, leaving my sole source of income and communication behind.

Have any of you traveled to the prison via public transportation? How would you recommend doing this? I'm thinking of maybe asking a friend of mine to come along with me and renting a car, but I don't want to have to rely on my friends for assistance if there is another way to go about it.

Much love!

[CinnamonGirl77]

I just got back from Polunsky and you are right the policies do make it difficult to even get a taxi! Your best bet is to take a friend who can drive as car hire is quite reasonable, or ask around on here to see if anyone else is going at the same time so you can carpool. Polunsky Unit itself is about 15- 20 mins from most of the motels so it's not AS rural as I thought. Hope this helps.

[RainyCola]

Public transportation is non-existent from what I could tell out of Houston. Your only way to get to Livingston would really be by taxi, and the charge would be astronomical considering you're about an hour from the George Bush airport to Livingston. Getting from your hotel to Polunsky via taxi would be doable if you really want to - just tell the driver when you need to be picked back up. Just add an extra hour to the length of your visit since it can take an hour sometimes for them to bring the guys out (except on Saturday nights when they're usually waiting when you go in).

Your cheapest bet would be to either bring a friend with a license or check and see if anyone is going the same time you want to go. Go over to the CP forums - the "friends and family" area and check around. There's always someone going up there and I'm sure you'd be able to find a ride.

[iamquinn]

Thanks so much to the both of you. I truly appreciate it.

[CinnamonGirl77]

No problem have a great visit. If it goes well let me know, I will be back in late September and would happily go with you next time! Its always nice to have someone in the same boat to talk about it with later.

[RainyCola]

And you're always welcome to hitch a ride when I go too! My next trip is next week if you want to come! lol

[deerwoman]

Just a thought---do you have any kind of ID to get in the unit?

[RainyCola]

State or government issued ID - like a driver's license or a passport.

[SimpleLove12]

Originally Posted by iamquinn

Hey all. So I've spent a great deal of time researching information in regards to visiting an inmate on DR, and I'm trying to process the idea of going for a visit. I'm very limited in my capabilities. I currently reside in New York City, where the need for a vehicle is virtually unnecessary. My driver's license was revoked several years ago and I haven't bothered to reinstate it because I truly had had no intention of driving. The fines to reinstate are astronomical and I can't justify spending the little money I make on paying the government.

From what I gather, the prison is in the middle of a rural area without convenient means of public transportation. This didn't feel like too much trouble for me because I found a few taxi services as well as bus services. Upon further reviewing the prison policies, using a taxi service has made me feel uncomfortable. If I read correctly, I will not be able to bring my purse, holding my cash, cell phone, and other things I feel would be necessary in order to return me back to the hotel I'd be staying in. I feel very anxious about traveling to this place, leaving my sole source of income and communication behind.

Have any of you traveled to the prison via public transportation? How would you recommend doing this? I'm thinking of maybe asking a friend of mine to come along with me and renting a car, but I don't want to have to rely on my friends for assistance if there is another way to go about it.

Much love!

I wouldn't recommend public transportation but if that's your only alternative then.............Either way you will need a valid form of identification and it always helps if you know your loved ones TDCJ # by heart...The people there move slow add is and will move even slower if you give them any reason...Hope you get to see your loved one soon!!!!!

[SimpleLove12]

Oh I'm so slow!!! Lol there's a woman here tht has a bus service...I always use her whn I go visit and her price is fair....If you'd like her info let me know and I'll send it to you...Good luck again

[iamquinn]

Yes I have both a passport and a state issued ID card.

[SimpleLove12]

Oh one more thing...Since you reside out of state you may or should be able to get special visits...Pretty much you'll be able to visit with him for four hours vs two...Not sure what steps you'd have to take to get that done, but its something you could look into

[RainyCola]

the special visits are easy to do. you'll call them ahead of time (can call the month before going if you want - i've actually called the week before and didn't have a problem) and reserve your spot. you'll only be able to get these if he's on level 1. doesn't matter if he was on level 1 when you reserved them either. if he's on level 2 when you get there then you can't have the special visits. you'll get 2 days of 4 hour visits (2 consecutive days) during the week (except wednesday - they end visitation at noon then... you can still do the special visits then but it's not worth it because you won't get your full 4 hours) and can pop in at any time from 8-1:00. keep in mind that it can take them an hour to get the guys out at times so i'd get there 5 hours before you have to leave.

you can also do a saturday night 2 hour visit, either from 5:30-7:30 or 8:00-10:00. i like the 8-10 one because it's much quieter since they don't have many people doing that one.

when i go i'll do a saturday night visit, bum around on sunday then do special visits monday and tuesday.

[mustbcrazy]

The Saturday night visit with mon and tues special visits is a great idea, RainyCola! I've been lurking around here trying to get info about a possible future visit to Polunky, and you seem to have it down pat lol

[RainyCola]

Yeah, I figured it all out! lol As much as I like the special visits during the week I find the Saturday night ones so much more enjoyable because they're so much more personal. And I'd recommend having a Saturday night one for your first visit if you have a nerve problem like I did because it's a good way to ease you in to the whole visit thing.

[SimpleLove12]

I'm jealous!!!! Lol I'd love to get a Saturday night visit vs the long lines rude people and crowded Saturday mornings...At least I get tosee him at all though, so I'm still happy for that.

[mustbcrazy]

Nerve thing?! Haha every time I think about going to visit I wanna puke with nerves lol! It's almost holding me back...I know i would be a mess! The Saturday night thing might be my answer! You are the best!

[Houstonsjuliet]

Ok i'm a little confused....So you can get a Saturday night visit only if you are approved for a special which includes Mon and Tues.?

[mustbcrazy]

I'm pretty sure anyone can do a Saturday night visit as long as it is their once a week visit

[Houstonsjuliet]

That's good news Thanks :-)

[RainyCola]

only death row gets saturday night visits.