Penmate Inmate Support Guides
coleman-phone-registration-and-advanceconnect

Getting Phone Calls from an Inmate at Coleman Unit: Registering Your Number and the AdvanceConnect Change

Want to receive phone calls from someone at the Coleman Unit? You'll need to register your phone number first. And heads up: starting December 1, 2025, you'll also need a funded AdvanceConnect account to pay for calls.

• 2 min read • tdcj.texas.gov
Getting Phone Calls from an Inmate at Coleman Unit: Registering Your Number and the AdvanceConnect Change

To receive calls from an inmate at the Coleman Unit, register your phone number through the Texas Inmate Telephone Friends & Family Enrollment site. Without registration, calls simply won't connect. Have the inmate's TDCJ ID number ready before you start. You'll need it during enrollment, and it speeds things up considerably.

Here's something that trips people up: the name on your driver license or state ID must match the name on your phone bill or account listing. If they don't match, fix that first - update the name on your phone account before trying to register. Otherwise, your registration could get stuck.

Securus is changing how paid calls work. Starting December 1, 2025, you'll need a funded AdvanceConnect account to pay for phone calls. During the transition, there's a small safety net: any phone number without a funded AdvanceConnect account will get one free 60-second call per month from the incarcerated person. It's not a replacement for regular calling, but it helps if you're still setting up your account.

Getting Phone Calls from an Inmate at Coleman Unit: Registering Your Number and the AdvanceConnect Change

Need help with phone services? You can call TDCJ Inmate Technology. Starting February 2, 2026, the published hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Fair warning: different TDCJ pages have shown different hours in the past. Double-check before calling if timing matters.

  • ✓ One TDCJ page lists phone-answering hours as Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • ✓ Another TDCJ page lists phone-answering hours as Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Tip: Since posted hours have varied, aim for weekday mornings into early afternoon - that's your safest window. If your issue is urgent, jot down when you called in case you need to follow up.

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