How to Register for Inmate Phone Calls and What to Expect (Alfred D. Hughes Unit)
Phone questions for the Alfred D. Hughes Unit go through TDCJ's Inmate Technology Services (ITS). Need to call them? Their phone hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., except state-recognized holidays (effective February 2, 2026).
Stuck on registration? Calls not going through? You can reach Inmate Technology Services through their website contact form or by emailing offenderphones@tdcj.texas.gov.
Quick Checklist Register
- ✓ The inmate’s TDCJ ID number
- ✓ If you don’t know the TDCJ ID number: use the online offender search, or call (936) 295-6371 or (800) 535-0283
Registrant Requirements
- ✓ Your name (on your driver license or state ID) must match the name shown on your telephone listing or bill
- ✓ You must confirm you are the registered owner of the telephone number
- ✓ You must agree to allow the inmate to call the telephone number
- ✓ You must be at least 18 years old
Important: To register, you must agree you will not forward calls, make three-way calls, or use a speakerphone on calls you receive from the inmate.
Calls from the Hughes Unit can go to home landlines, post-paid cell phones, and pre-paid cell phones. If you're registering a cell phone, make sure it falls into one of those categories.
Some numbers won't work at all. The system blocks calls to internet services, 800 numbers, businesses, pay phones, and international numbers. Registering one of these will only lead to missed calls and frustration.
Phone access runs from 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. (midnight), though this can change depending on facility conditions. Tablet phone hours may differ from standard phone hours, so keep that in mind if your loved one calls from a tablet.
- Plan for a 30-minute cap per call - Individual calls are limited to 30 minutes.
- Listen for the one-minute warning - You’ll hear a warning message one minute before the call is disconnected.
- Expect multiple calls instead of one long one - Inmates have unlimited minutes per month, but each call still ends at the time limit.
Note: If your call cuts off at the same point every time, that's usually the 30-minute limit kicking in. Plan a quick wrap-up when you hear the one-minute warning.
Having trouble with your phone number registration? Contact the Inmate Telephone customer service line at (866) 806-7804.
One heads-up: TDCJ pages list different hours for that vendor line. One says Monday–Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., another says 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you're calling late in the day, try earlier when possible - or call back the next business day if you hit an after-hours message.
If you've tried registering and things still aren't working - you meet all the requirements but calls won't connect - reach out to Inmate Technology Services directly. Use their website contact form or email offenderphones@tdcj.texas.gov to get your question in front of the team that manages the system.
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