Visitation is returning to the Preston E. Smith state prison unit here starting Monday. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) reinstated its policy for in-person meetings after experiencing a reduction in COVID-19 within state prisons. New visiting hours at the Smith Unit just east of Lamesa are from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Visiting hours for Saturday and Sunday are from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., said Sylvia Alvarado, a uniformed recruiter and correctional officer at the local prison. TDCJ suspended visitations a year ago after Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a state-wide disaster declaration, according to ...