How to Contact an Inmate at Garza East Unit (TX)

The TDCJ online visitation scheduler lists four visit types: Regular, Contact, Contact (yes, it appears twice), and Video/Tablet. That Video/Tablet option is specifically noted as different from the Securus Video program. Don't assume they're the same when selecting a visit type or asking staff for help.

For phone contact, plan around the call limit. Calls are capped at 30 minutes, and you'll hear an automated warning one minute before disconnection. If you have a lot to discuss, cover the important stuff early.

Steps to Follow

• ✓ Start in the TDCJ online visitation scheduler and look for the visit type list (Regular, Contact, Contact, Video/Tablet).
• ✓ If you see “Contact” listed twice, do not guess which one you need. Confirm which selection applies to you before submitting a request.
• ✓ If you want a video option, select Video/Tablet only if that is what you are offered. It is not the same as the Securus Video program.

• ✓ Plan for calls to end at 30 minutes.
• ✓ Listen for the automated one-minute warning, then wrap up quickly (confirm key info, next steps, and when you will talk again).

Verify the visit type before making travel plans. The TDCJ scheduler guide shows Regular, Contact, Contact (duplicated), and Video/Tablet, but not every option applies to every situation. When checking the scheduler for Garza East Unit, ask what the two "Contact" entries mean and which one fits your relationship and the inmate's visitation privileges. Planning a video visit? Confirm what "Video/Tablet" means for that unit and that specific inmate. The scheduler guide is clear that it's not the same as the Securus Video program. Ask staff to explain the difference before signing up for anything or scheduling time off work.

Phone policies are easier to plan around when you confirm them upfront. Calls are limited to 30 minutes and include a one-minute warning before disconnection, so your conversations may need more structure than usual. Rules can change, and circumstances may affect how calling works for a particular person. Confirm current expectations before relying on a routine.

1. Check the TDCJ online visitation scheduler entry to see which visit type options (Regular, Contact, Contact, Video/Tablet) are presented for Garza East.
2. Call to confirm the right selection if “Contact” appears twice or if you are unsure which option you qualify for.
3. Ask direct questions about gaps like program names for Video/Tablet, scheduling windows, fees, and any exceptions, since those details are not covered in the limited evidence summarized here.