Lane Murray Unit Visiting Hours. How to Get Approved and Plan Your Visit

Step 1. Get on the Approved Visitor List

The visitor application process at TDCJ works differently from what most people expect. You do not submit the application yourself. The person inside initiates it by listing your name with the unit. TDCJ then runs a background check on each person listed. This takes time, often several weeks. Do not plan a trip to Gatesville until you receive confirmation that your application was approved.

If you have a prior felony conviction, TDCJ may deny your visitor application. If your application is denied, an appeals process exists. Call the Lane Murray Unit at (254) 865-8901 to ask about the review and appeal timeline.

Children typically need to be listed separately. A parent or legal guardian who is already an approved visitor must accompany them. Call (254) 865-8901 to confirm the current requirements for minors before bringing children.

While you wait for approval, sending letters and photos through Pigeonly is one of the easiest ways to keep the connection going. You can upload a photo from your phone at pigeon.ly/search and have it printed and mailed to the Lane Murray Unit without needing a printer or a trip to a copy shop. See the mail and photos guide for the address and photo rules.

Step 2. Confirm the Visiting Schedule Before Every Trip

TDCJ units at Gatesville typically hold visits on Saturdays and Sundays. Call (254) 865-8901 before every trip to confirm that visits are running and that your name is still on the approved list. Visits can be suspended due to staffing shortages, lockdowns, or emergencies, and the facility does not always send advance notice. Also confirm that the person is still assigned to the Lane Murray Unit. Transfers happen and the TDCJ offender search at offender.tdcj.texas.gov/OffenderSearch/ will show their current location.

What to Bring

Bring one valid government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms include a driver’s license, state-issued ID, military ID, or passport. Expired IDs are not accepted. You may also bring a small amount of cash for vending machines in the visiting area. Confirm the exact limit when you call. Leave everything else in your vehicle: phones, bags, extra keys, and all personal items. TDCJ does not allow personal property into the visiting area.

Dress Code

TDCJ enforces a strict dress code for all visitors. Being turned away means the visit is lost, not rescheduled. Items that are typically prohibited include:

• Shorts, skirts, or dresses above the knee
• Sheer, sleeveless, or low-cut clothing
• Solid white or solid gray clothing that resembles an inmate uniform
• Camouflage patterns of any color
• Open-toed shoes or sandals

When in doubt, dress conservatively. If you are unsure about a specific outfit, call (254) 865-8901 before making the drive to Gatesville from Waco or Fort Worth.

What a Visit Looks Like

Call (254) 865-8901 to confirm whether visits at the Lane Murray Unit are contact or non-contact. Contact visits allow you to sit in the same room as your loved one. Non-contact visits are conducted through a barrier. Either way, all visits are supervised. Confirm the time limit per visit when you call, as this can vary and is subject to change.

Know the Location

The Lane Murray Unit is at 1916 N. Highway 36 Bypass, Gatesville, TX 76596 in Coryell County. Gatesville is about 55 miles south of Waco, 100 miles south of Fort Worth, and 130 miles north of Austin. Several TDCJ women’s facilities operate in the Gatesville area, so confirm you are going to the Lane Murray Unit specifically before making the drive.