Remote Video Visits vs. Tablet Video Visits: What's the Difference?

In TDCJ, "remote video visits" and "tablet video visits" are two different things. A remote video visit is a live video call conducted through a kiosk. Tablet visitation is a separate program where the video call happens on an agency-issued tablet. Both fall under the same department. TDCJ Inmate Technology Services oversees Securus Video Visitation and the inmate tablet program, which is why the names can sound interchangeable. The scheduling process, though, is different for each.

Remote video visits are scheduled through the vendor website. If you're trying to book a kiosk-based remote visit, go directly to the vendor's scheduling flow rather than the TDCJ visitation portal.

Tablet video visits are scheduled online through the TDCJ visitation portal. Before you can pick a time slot, TDCJ staff needs to confirm the visitor-inmate relationship. Once that's done, the relationship moves into "Verified Inmate Relations," and you'll be able to schedule a visit if a Schedule Visit button appears next to the inmate's name.

Securus remote video visits currently cost $10.00 for a 60-minute session. They're also limited to once per month, with a maximum of 60 minutes per visit.

1. Check the vendor website for remote video options - Remote video (kiosk) visits are booked through the vendor site, so that is the right place to confirm whether remote video scheduling is available.
2. Check the TDCJ visitation portal for tablet visits - Tablet visits are scheduled through the TDCJ portal, and you will typically need the relationship to show as verified before you can schedule.
3. If the Schedule Visit option is blank or replaced with “Call Unit,” call the unit - That can mean you need to schedule by calling the inmate’s unit of assignment. If you are trying to sort out technology-related scheduling issues, TDCJ lists Inmate Technology office calling hours as Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., except state holidays.