Mail, photos, messaging, and phone/call options for staying in touch.
Hodge Unit offers phone calls, electronic messaging, and in-person visits. All visits may be electronically monitored, with attorney-client visits being the only exception. To receive inmate phone calls, register your phone number at texasprisonphone.com and enter the inmate's TDCJ ID number during signup. For electronic messages, use JPay (www.jpay.com). You'll need to purchase electronic stamps before sending e-messages, with pricing set by the vendor. Service availability can vary by unit, especially for video visits and tablet-based messaging. Check the Hodge Unit page and the relevant vendor portals for the most current scheduling details, payment options, device availability, and fees before getting started.
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
Staying in touch with someone at the Hodge Unit comes down to two main channels: visitation (in several formats) and phone calls (after your number is registered). Here's what to do, and what to double-check before you make plans.
When the online scheduler won't let you book a visit at Hodge Unit, a quick phone call can save you a wasted trip. Here's how to spot the situations that require a call—and what to have ready when you dial.
Register your phone number online at texasprisonphone.com. You will need the inmate’s TDCJ ID number to complete registration.
Yes. All inmate visits except attorney-client visits may be electronically monitored.
Create an account on JPay (www.jpay.com) and send an e-message through their system. You'll need to buy electronic stamps at vendor-set prices. Delivery may be handled through tablets or printed copies, depending on the unit and vendor process.
At TDCJ units like the Hodge Unit, how often you can visit is tied to custody level. Once you understand that classification piece, planning trips and setting expectations gets a lot easier.
Getting on an inmate's approved visitors list at the Hodge Unit starts with the TDCJ Online Visitation Scheduler. You'll need the correct ID number and to submit a relationship request for unit staff to verify.
The Hodge Unit caps each inmate's approved Visitors List at 10 names. If your loved one is already at the limit, someone else will need to be removed before you can be added.
