What to do when the TDCJ Schedule Visit button is blank or says 'Call Unit'

In the TDCJ Online Visitation Scheduler, a blank Schedule Visit button (or one that’s replaced with “Call Unit”) is the system’s way of telling you the visit can’t be scheduled online for that inmate right now. When you see that message, the fix isn’t a different browser or another login - it’s calling the inmate’s unit of assignment to schedule the visit through the unit.

Also pay attention to where your loved one appears on your visitor home page. If you’ve submitted a Relationship Request and it hasn’t been approved yet, that relationship will stay listed under “Relation Requests Pending Approval.” Until it moves out of that pending area, you may not have the access you expect when you’re trying to schedule.

If you see “Not Approved for Visits” where the Schedule Visit button normally would be, that’s a different situation. It can show up even when your visitor/inmate relationship has already been confirmed - because the inmate’s visitation privileges have been removed. Practically, it means online scheduling won’t be available through the scheduler for that inmate at that time.

Call Unit Next Steps

• ✓ Tell the unit staff the Schedule Visit button is blank or shows “Call Unit,” and you’re trying to schedule a visit
• ✓ Confirm you’re calling the inmate’s unit of assignment (the unit where they’re currently housed)
• ✓ Ask whether the inmate’s visitation privileges are currently active (and whether that’s why you’re seeing “Not Approved for Visits”)
• ✓ Confirm your visitor/inmate relationship status in their system (verified vs. not available for scheduling)
• ✓ Ask the unit what your scheduling options are since online booking isn’t available, and what dates/times they can offer

If you’re able to get into the scheduling flow and you’re checking “open dates,” don’t be surprised if some weeks look like they have nothing available. In the scheduler, any dates that fall during a week where the inmate already has a visit scheduled won’t appear when you review open dates. If the calendar looks strangely empty, try looking at a different week.