Mail, photos, messaging, and phone/call options for staying in touch.
Staying in touch with someone at the Estes Unit starts with phone registration. Register your telephone number online or by phone, and provide the inmate's TDCJ ID. The phone's owner must complete the registration, be at least 18, and agree not to forward calls or use conference calling. Inmates can typically place calls between 5:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m. All calls are monitored or recorded (except attorney calls), limited to 30 minutes, and may have restrictions on allowed destinations. Estes Unit also offers remote video visits through Securus. Each session lasts 60 minutes, costs $10.00, and inmates are limited to one per month. For scheduling, payment, and messaging, follow the approved vendor's account setup and procedures.
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
You'll manage visitation through the TDCJ online visitation scheduler. The system lists four visit types: Regular, Contact, Video/Tablet, plus one other type. Pay close attention to the Video/Tablet option. The scheduler guide explicitly states that Video/Tablet is not the same as the Securus Video program (which is only offered at limited units). These are two separate things.
Register your telephone number online or by phone, and provide the inmate's TDCJ ID. You must own the phone number, be at least 18, and agree not to forward or conference calls. Support options are available if you need help with registration.
Phone access is available from 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Calls are monitored or recorded (except attorney calls), limited to 30 minutes, and subject to restrictions on where calls can go.
Remote video visits are handled through Securus. Each visit lasts 60 minutes and costs $10.00, and inmates are limited to one remote video visit per month. You will schedule and pay through the approved vendor by following their account setup and scheduling steps.
A little prep saves you a long, frustrating drive. Run through this checklist before heading to the Estes Unit — it'll keep you from getting turned away at the gate.
A little prep can save you a wasted trip. Run through this quick checklist before heading to Estes Unit so you don't get turned away at the gate.
Planning a visit to the Estes Unit? Two things matter most: the weekend visiting window and the two-hour visit length.
