I noticed a Ft Worth Yelp Friend Jim had eaten at a cafe close to here and his post reminded me of…read moremy visit to here back in 2022. Looking for my review I couldn't believe it,gone. Another one bites the dust. So here is a highly abbreviated version of that detailed fantastic review. Growing up in Texas everyone knew what you were talking about when you said Huntsville. No,it wasn't the charming and quaint small Texas Town but,the notorious prison within its city limits. I enjoyed my visit here in October 23, visiting with many staff and drinking in the old prison throw back architecture. If you catch yourself in the area,at least make the block for a look-see. Go!

This review is solely for the visitation of an inmate at this facility. I have no idea what goes on…read morebeyond the visitors area. Today was the first time I had ever set foot in any sort of prison. Not going to lie, it was intimidating at times. There are many hoops you have to jump thru during the process but they all seemed reasonable and for good safety reasons. For my safety, for the staff and for the inmates. When i pulled into the facility off the main road there was a checkpoint almost immediately. Every car stops and you have to get out and open the hood and trunk. While I was opening the hood other guards are opening the doors and checking the inside of the car. When my car was cleared I pulled forward a bit and gave my drivers license to another guard where he wrote down my info and license plate number, he also gave me a two digit number to remember and said I would need it when I was leaving, then I was cleared to head to the parking lot. Found a spot and parked, proceeded to the next check in, it was a small booth where I let them know which inmate I was there to see and gave them my drivers license. They checked the computer to confirm I was eligible to visit him and I was on to the next step. At this point, I came to a gate. There was a video camera and a sign under it that read Show ID To Camera. I did, and I heard the gate click and I opened it and proceeded. I was in what's known as a mantrap gate. As I approached the other end of the trap, the gate clicked open. It was at this point the gravity of where I was really set in. It was high fences and razor wire from here on out. I entered a building and got in line. Signed in and gave my ID, which they kept and gave me a numbered metal chip. Then it was off to the metal detector. Similar to an airport, shoes off and empty pockets. Then there was a pat down search and then I was cleared to go start my visit. After the two hour visit it was the exact reverse process leaving. It was a good experience and I was happy to see my friend again. While it was intimidating at times, at no point did I not feel completely safe. All of the staff and guards I spoke to throughout the process were understanding and polite.

When I called in to check on a friend of mine that was locked up the officers were quick, polite…read moreand professional. They answered the same way when I called back to see if he was being released yet from having his bond post.

I paid a visit for some breakfast and a room. The bed was comfortable enough and I was able to fall…read moreasleep with relative ease. I later woke to find that I would be sharing my room with several other guests which was fine with me because they were all well behaved. Two suites down the hall I could hear someone complaining about their experience to either a host or another person staying rather loudly, but I must have wonderful hearing because I seemed to be the only person to notice it? Oddest thing about my stay, by far. Anywho, the total bill for my stay came up to around $3000 which is reasonable considering how most things cost an arm and a leg these days. I would recommend this if you missed out on your hotel reservation for a convention or something similar, otherwise not the best experience. I would have rated it higher but they made me give back the cool orange sweater they gave me that I thought was a souvenir.

Staff and officers were short tempered and refused to give us information on what was going on…read more Impossible to deal with. No common sense or empathy among any of the people there.

We recently moved here from Hawaii so let me tell you that it took me about 4 trips to finally get…read morethis right. It could've been done once if I was a bit patient about getting new IDs. It's actually super easy now thinking about it. First, log into https://public.txdpsscheduler.com/ and make an appointment. You'll get an email and/or text with a barcode. On your appointment time, there are 2 electronic kiosk on your right side as you enter. Use either one to check in using that barcode that was provided to you. It'll provide a ticket with a number on it. Wait to be called and the rest is history. It cost us about $33 per person except for my youngest, it was $19. The IDs arrive 2-3 weeks in your mail. Sorry, I don't know the process to actually get a drivers license or do the drivers course or test. For changing our drivers license from another state: I provided them my SSN, passport, utility bill, and both my car registration and insurance card. As long as it had my Texas address it was accepted. It was sad that I couldn't keep my original Hawaii ID because it's Texas law that you can't have both IDs. Fill out the right form online for ADULTS ooor grab a form provided there and fill it out. For getting a State ID for my kids: no age limit and just one of the parent or guardian has to be present with the same documents explained above and your child. Bring your childs SSN, birth certificate, and passport. I don't know how many documents or identification proof they need, I just brought it because I wasn't about to leave again. Fill out the right form online for MINORS ooor grab a form provided there and fill it out. Most of the staff that I've encountered are very friendly and helpful, some looks like they hate their lives and hate you for talking to them. Other reviews here aren't lying about their customer service. I was fortunate enough to had only see the trash customer service that certain staff provide. The parking lot is huge. Good luck!

The white Lady who's there very rude, she didn't took my doc that I provided, just came to get an…read moreID not a passport dang....

the place is disgusting and use defamation of characte! my daughter was not able to see her father…read morethis week because they flagged me for "cocaine" which could never be true! I am a cpa and would never have something so disgusting around me. not to mention every time I come here I leave sick because of the uncleanliness! the staff is rude and declined my requests for the paper work on the paper they asked me to sign saying this accusation is "true" lie after lie. this place insensitive and the staff is incompetent!

I have had the opportunity to experience a fairly large amount of correctional facilities in my…read morelife. As far as the federal detention center in Houston goes I can safely say if your going to go to jail in the Houston area its probably the best one to go to, LOL. The staff seem to be a little more professional than the others I've been to, the facility is a little cleaner, and the security seems to be significantly greater. There is always room for improvement.

The idea of jury duty always terrified me. Not so much the actual being on the jury but trying to…read morefind out where to go and everything. However, with this courthouse, my fears were unnecessary. The security guards who sit at the front are friendly and helpful, rather than the types who always try to make you feel guilty when you know you aren't! Then later, when I went to file for divorce, the district clerk's office was very easy to find and the clerk who helped me was wonderful! I had to end up going three times to file everything needing to be filed and everyone was more than helpful, making sure I got everything taken care of, and the clerk I worked with the most, even doublechecked to make sure I'd filled out the part for changing my name back, even though she didn't have to do it. It makes you feel good when people do what they can to help you.

Memorial Day DWI initiative this weekend. And once again Harris County held a press conference to…read moreraise awareness of the importance of drinking and driving. With the help of the news media and the community we truly appreciate your support. Thanks Tess for the opportunity to share our stories. This was an amazing opportunity.

Lazy, incompetent and rude staff. Disgusting and run down facility. The medical facility is awful…read moreand the food is insufficient.

We had a death in the family we had a death in the family and I cannot get the chaplain nor the…read morewarden secretary on the phone because my son is incarcerated they treat me as if I am in prison I'm not happy and I'm going to call the state representative of Texas

Not the worst prison i've stayed at, only got shanked around 10 times, only 4 riots. The doctors…read moreare kind but kinda new to the whole prison thing, the guards can be cruel sometimes, but the janitor is nice. the food is good and better than the ones on alcatraz. over all, it's a decent place to waste 10 years on with your necessities taken care of.