Byrd Unit
The James "Jay" H. Byrd Unit is a diagnostic intake facility for male inmates that is located in Huntsville, Texas. This facility can house a maximum of 1,365 inmates and is operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Inmates are usually housed at Byrd Unit for less than 30 days for intake and classification. They are then transferred to their permanent facility.
Prison Insights
Byrd Unit
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Visiting Hours and Rules
The visiting hours at Byrd Unit are on Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Each inmate is allowed one visit per weekend.
Ombudsman Visitation Hotline
If you have visiting questions, please call the Ombudsman Visitation Hotline. The hotline is open Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at (936) 437-4927 or toll free at (844) 476-1289.
Visiting Applications
To visit with an inmate at Byrd Unit you must fill out the proper paperwork. The visiting application and instructions can be found below.
- Policy 507.01 - Visitation (in pdf format)
- Visitation Form (in pdf format)
Dress Code
The dress code at Byrd Unit is conservative.
- Sandals, flip-flops, and open-toe shoes may be worn.
- Clothing that is tight fitting, revealing, or made with see-through fabrics is not allowed.
- Sleeveless shirts and dresses are allowed, but must cover the shoulders.
- Shorts and skirts no shorter than three inches above the middle of the knee while standing, capri pants, or long pants are allowed.
- Length is not restricted for pre-adolescent boys and girls, generally ages 10 and younger.
- Clothing with pictures or language that may be considered profane or offensive by current public standards is not allowed.
For a complete list of the visiting rules, click here.
All vehicles and visitors are subject to search and visitors are screened by a metal detector prior to entering the visitation area. Pat searches are conducted by TDCJ security staff of the same gender; however, metal detector screening may be performed by either gender.
Permissible Items
- small wallet, clear plastic Ziploc® type bag, or change purse
- coin money in an amount not to exceed $25
Visitors with infants or small children may bring no more than three (3) diapers, a supply of baby wipes and two (2) baby bottles, or a “sippy” cup for toddlers, into the unit. These items shall be stored in a clear plastic bag.
Cell phones, smartwatches, pagers, laptop computers, cameras, digital recorders, or any other type of electronic or wireless devices ARE NOT ALLOWED in the visiting room.
Physical Address
Byrd Unit
21 FM 247
Huntsville, TX 77320
Driving Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/6ygihPN382qL1t3V9
General Phone Number
(936) 295-5768
Inmate Mailing Address(es)
Inmate Name/DOC Number
Byrd Unit
21 FM 247
Huntsville, TX 77320
How to Call an Inmate
You can't call an inmate at Byrd Unit, but they do have access to phones during certain hours. For complete details on how to call an inmate in Texas, please click here.
How to Send Money
JPay provides several ways to send money to an inmate at Byrd Unit.
Online
To send money online with a credit or debit card, click here. It's the quickest and easiest way to send money.
Phone
You can send money by phone using your credit or debit card. Call (800) 574-5729 to speak with a live agent 24/7.
Walk-In Cash
To send money using cash, visit any MoneyGram agent location and use receive code 6188. Click here to get a list of nearby MoneyGram locations.
Money Orders
All money orders must be sent with a deposit slip to:
JPay
P.O. Box 279010
Miramar, FL 33027
Programs For Inmates
As an intake facility, the programs at Byrd Unit are extremely limited. However, they do participate in the GO KIDS Initiative.
The GO KIDS Initiative
GO KIDS touches offenders through programs geared towards strengthening the parent-child relationship, as well as their families and children. For the latter, GO KIDS provides resources that offer basic fundamental elements such as mentoring and encouraging parent/child relationships, as well as support in the areas of health, legal counsel, and employment.
Parenting training, stress management training, social, and mental health services, home-based interventions, and advocacy with schools are also services that can be obtained. As positive youth development is a key factor in breaking the cycle of incarceration, many of the offered programs are geared toward creating for children a sense of personal safety, a sense of belonging, self-worth and responsibility, as well as support and guidance from caring adults.
For the offenders, GO KIDS focuses on programs that provide effective parenting education and training, as well as offer avenues to facilitate child/parent connections.
Pictures of Byrd Unit
Careers at Byrd Unit
To find out more information about a career with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and available jobs at Byrd Unit, click here.
