Accountability.Harris County Jail Information Page
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This page gives Harris County families one place to find verified Harris County Jail contact information, visitation guidance, inmate-search tools, commissary and telephone instructions, mailing rules, and current Texas Prison News reporting on the jail.
Information last verified September 8, 2026. Policies, providers, and fees change often — always confirm details with the Sheriff’s Office.
Harris County Jail Information
The Harris County Jail is run by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office as one system spread across several buildings in downtown Houston. A person may be held in any of them and moved between them, so always confirm the current location with the inmate search (Section 2). Use the official contacts below rather than commercial “inmate lookup” sites.
- Operating agency
- Harris County Sheriff’s Office — Detention Command
- Jail facilities
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Joint Processing Center (booking / intake) — 700 N. San Jacinto Street, Houston, TX 77002
701 N. San Jacinto Street, Houston, TX 77002
1200 Baker Street, Houston, TX 77002
1307 Baker Street, Houston, TX 77002
The Sheriff’s Office also houses some people in contract jails outside Harris County (in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Jefferson County, Texas). The inmate search shows where a person is currently held. - Main telephone numbers
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(713) 755-5300 — Incarcerated Person Information (24 hours)
(346) 286-1600 — Jail Information Line
(713) 221-6000 — Sheriff’s Office non-emergency - Direct facility lines
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701 N. San Jacinto: (346) 286-2840
711 N. San Jacinto: (346) 286-2998
1200 Baker Street: (346) 286-2211
1307 Baker Street: (346) 286-2600 - Official email address
- The Sheriff’s Office does not publish a dedicated jail email. Its published address for the Sheriff is Sheriff.Gonzalez@sheriff.hctx.net. For anything urgent, call the jail directly.
- Harris County Sheriff’s Office website
- harriscountyso.org
- Official jail information page
- harriscountyso.org/JailInfo
- Information last verified
- September 8, 2026, against the Harris County Sheriff’s Office jail-information pages.
Find Someone in Harris County Jail
The Sheriff’s Office runs a public “Find Someone in Jail” search. It is the fastest way to confirm that someone is in custody in Harris County and which building they are in.
How to search
Start with the person’s last name (at least three letters), then add their first name or date of birth to narrow the results. If you have their SPN, that pulls up the exact record.
The county’s search form also accepts a Social Security number, but you do not need to enter one. A name and date of birth are enough to find a record — there is no reason to type in a Social Security number or other sensitive personal information you don’t have to.
What you may need
- The person’s full legal name (try spelling variations and any former or maiden name).
- Their date of birth, to tell people apart when names are similar.
- Their SPN (System Person Number) — Harris County’s identifier for the person. You will need it for visits, mail, phone, and commissary deposits.
Confirm the identity
Before you send money or mail, match the full name and date of birth on the record to the person you are looking for. Do not rely on name alone.
Booking information and charges
Charges, court settings, and case status are on the Sheriff’s Court and Case Information page and, in full, through the Harris County District Clerk. For bond questions see the Sheriff’s Inmate Bonding page. An arrest is not a conviction.
Visitation Information
Harris County offers scheduled in-person visits at the jail and free video visits you can join from home. People held in contract jails outside Harris County use different systems — check the person’s current facility first.
In-person visits — days and hours
Tuesday through Sunday, 1:00–5:00 p.m. and 7:30–10:00 p.m. (last appointment 9:30 p.m.). Closed Monday. Visits are 20 minutes, by appointment only, with a maximum of two visitors; a child 16 or under must be with an adult 17 or older.
Register and schedule
- Create a visitor account and book an appointment on the county’s scheduler, up to 7 days in advance.
- Make sure you are on the person’s approved visitor list.
- Arrive 30 minutes early with your ID and a printed or emailed confirmation.
Identification
Bring a valid, unexpired government photo ID: a state driver license, U.S. military ID, U.S. passport, Mexican or Guatemalan consular card, or valid work visa. Expired IDs, photocopies, credit cards, and Social Security cards are not accepted. The dress code is strictly enforced, and bags, phones, and other personal items are not allowed inside.
Video visits
Free remote video visits are available at the Harris County facilities through Securus. Install the Securus app, create an account, and add the person as a contact. You will need an earbud or earpiece to hear the call.
Commissary and Money Deposits
Money for commissary (snacks, hygiene items, stationery) goes into the person’s trust account. For the Harris County jail the deposit provider is Access Corrections (Keefe Group).
How to deposit
- Create or sign in to an account at AccessCorrections.com or in the “Access Corrections” app.
- Select the Harris County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office.
- Enter the person’s full name and SPN.
- Choose an amount and pay.
Deposit methods
- Online at AccessCorrections.com
- “Access Corrections” mobile app
- Phone: (866) 345-1884 (bilingual agents)
- Deposit kiosk
- Cash at a store — register at CashPayToday.com, then pay at Dollar General, Family Dollar, CVS, 7-Eleven and other retailers
Deposit fees vary and are shown before you confirm payment. If the person is held in a contract jail outside Harris County, a different vendor applies and funds do not transfer between systems — check the inmate search for the current facility before depositing.
Telephone Calls and Communication
Inmate telephone service at the Harris County jail is provided by Securus. Families pay for calls with a prepaid AdvancePay account.
Set up and fund an account
- Create a Securus account online, or call Securus to set one up.
- Open an AdvancePay account for the phone number that will receive calls.
- Add funds. The person dials your number and the charge is drawn from the balance. Collect calls are also available.
Securus customer support: 1-800-844-6591.
Messaging and tablets
The jail uses Securus eMessaging on tablets and kiosks; this is also how scanned personal mail is delivered (see Section 6). Confirm which messaging options are active and their cost inside your Securus account.
Rates and fees are set by the provider and the county and can change. Funds in the Securus system do not transfer to a contract jail’s vendor if the person is moved — you would request a refund and re-fund at the new facility.
Mailing Instructions
As of June 16, 2025, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office no longer accepts personal mail at the jail. Personal letters are sent to the Securus Digital Mail Center, scanned, and delivered to the person on eMessaging tablets and kiosks. Original letters are destroyed after 90 days.
Where personal mail goes
The Sheriff’s Office does not publish the Securus Digital Mail Center address on its website. Get the current mailing address from the Sheriff’s Office at (713) 755-5300 or from your Securus account before you send anything.
Required on every piece of mail
- Your full name and complete return address.
- The person’s full booking name.
- Their SPN.
- Their housing facility and cell block. Improperly addressed mail is returned or discarded.
What may be sent
Plain letters and small photos only. Nothing larger than 8.5″ × 11″. Photos must be 5″ × 7″ or smaller, no more than 10, and non-offensive (no gang, gun, or drug content).
What cannot be sent
Greeting cards, envelopes, blank paper stock, pens, pencils, markers, stickers, stamps, cash, checks, money orders, food, medicine, perfumed paper, photocopied or internet-printed images, packages, and certified mail.
Legal mail
Legal mail and pre-authorized publications go directly to the person’s facility (700 or 701 N. San Jacinto Street, or 1200 or 1307 Baker Street, Houston, TX 77002). Contact the Sheriff’s Office first for the required attorney procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find out if my loved one is in the Harris County Jail?
Use the Sheriff’s “Find Someone in Jail” search at harriscountyso.org/JailInfo/FindSomeoneInJail. Search by last name (at least three letters) or by SPN. If a recent booking is not showing yet, call (713) 755-5300.
How do I find their SPN (booking number) and charges?
The search result shows the person’s SPN and current facility. For charges and court dates, use the Sheriff’s Court and Case Information page or the Harris County District Clerk. For bond amounts, see the Sheriff’s Inmate Bonding page or call (713) 755-5300.
How do I schedule an in-person visit?
Register on the county visitation scheduler at visitinmate.jms.hctx.net/app up to seven days ahead, and make sure you are on the person’s approved visitor list. Visits run Tuesday–Sunday, 1–5 p.m. and 7:30–10 p.m. Arrive 30 minutes early with photo ID and your confirmation.
Does Harris County Jail offer video visitation?
Yes. Free remote video visits are available at the Harris County facilities through the Securus app. Create a Securus account, add the person as a contact, and use an earbud or earpiece to hear the call.
What identification do I need for a visit?
A valid, unexpired government photo ID: a state driver license, U.S. military ID, U.S. passport, Mexican or Guatemalan consular card, or valid work visa. Expired IDs, photocopies, credit cards, and Social Security cards are not accepted. Follow the dress code and leave bags and phones outside.
How do I send money for commissary?
Deposit through Access Corrections: online at AccessCorrections.com, in the Access Corrections app, by phone at (866) 345-1884, at a kiosk, or with cash at a store through CashPayToday. You will need the person’s name and SPN. Fees are shown before you pay.
How do I receive telephone calls from someone in the jail?
Open a prepaid Securus AdvancePay account for the phone number that will receive calls, then add funds. Set it up at SecurusTechnologies.com or call Securus at 1-800-844-6591. Rates and fees are set by the provider and county and can change.
How do I send mail to someone in the Harris County Jail?
Since June 16, 2025, personal mail is handled through the Securus Digital Mail Center, not the jail. Get the current mailing address from the Sheriff’s Office at (713) 755-5300 or your Securus account. Every piece needs your name and return address plus the person’s booking name, SPN, facility, and cell block. Only legal mail goes directly to the jail address.
How do I report a medical or safety concern?
Call the jail at (713) 755-5300 and ask for the shift supervisor, and use the Sheriff’s “Inmate Care” page to submit a concern in writing. In an emergency call 911. Serious concerns about jail conditions can also be raised with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards.
My relative was moved to a jail in another state — what changes?
Harris County contracts with jails in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Jefferson County, Texas. Visitation, commissary, and phone are run by that facility’s own vendors, and money in the Securus or Access Corrections systems does not follow the person. Check the inmate search for the current facility, then follow that facility’s rules.
Where can I find the latest Harris County Jail news?
Texas Prison News tracks the Harris County Jail. See the “Latest News About Harris County Jail” section below, which updates automatically as we publish new reporting.
Latest News About Harris County Jail
Reporting from Texas Prison News that is tagged to the Harris County Jail. This list updates on its own — no article text is copied here by hand.
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Texas’ new bail laws could increase Harris County’s jail population, court case backlog – Houston Public Media
July 15, 2026
New Texas Bail Laws Threaten to Overwhelm Harris County Jail, Courts Texas’ newly enacted bail reform laws are raising serious concerns among Harris County officials and criminal justice observers, who warn the legislation could…
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Texas Prison News is not affiliated with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and does not process visits, money, mail, or calls. Information verified September 8, 2026 from official and provider sources; policies and fees change — confirm critical details with the Sheriff’s Office.