Penmate Inmate Support Guides
Phone & Messaging

How to Contact an Inmate at Michael Unit, TX (TX)

Whether you're setting up a visit or phone contact, the biggest thing is making sure you're using the right system and the right account.

• 3 min read Verified from official sources
How to Contact an Inmate at Michael Unit, TX (TX)

TDCJ's Online Visitation Scheduler includes a visit type labeled "Video/Tablet." That is not the same thing as the Securus Video program. People mix these up constantly when trying to schedule a remote visit. Slow down and confirm which platform is actually being used for the visit you want.

If you plan to use the TDCJ Online Visitation Scheduler, you'll need to create your own visitor account. Unit and TDCJ staff can't create it for you. Build in a little extra time to get your login set up before you try to schedule anything.

Tip: Bring a valid photo ID for unit check-in. Show up without acceptable ID and you can lose the trip and the visit entirely.

Steps to Follow

  • ✓ Create your own account in the TDCJ Online Visitation Scheduler (staff cannot do this for you)
  • ✓ If you are scheduling a remote visit through TDCJ, look for the “Video/Tablet” visit type and select it when it fits your situation
  • ✓ Bring a valid photo ID for unit check-in if you are going in person

Before you lock in plans for a remote visit, double-check what you're actually scheduling. A "Video/Tablet" visit inside the TDCJ Online Visitation Scheduler is its own visit type, separate from the Securus Video program. If you're expecting one platform but the unit is using the other, you could end up stuck on the wrong app or unable to connect at the scheduled time.

How to Contact an Inmate at Michael Unit, TX (TX)

Verify which video option applies to your situation before scheduling anything. TDCJ's scheduler has a "Video/Tablet" visit type, and it's separate from the Securus Video program. A quick question like "Is this a TDCJ Video/Tablet visit, or Securus Video?" can save you a lot of back-and-forth.

If you plan to pay for phone calls through Securus, confirm the current payment requirements before putting money on an account. Effective December 1, 2025, Securus requires a funded AdvanceConnect account to pay for phone calls. This only applies if Securus phone services are what you'll be using, so treat it as a targeted check, not a blanket rule for every contact method.

  • ✓ Confirm which system you should use for remote visits: TDCJ Online Visitation Scheduler “Video/Tablet” vs. the separate Securus Video program
  • ✓ Make sure you have created your own TDCJ Online Visitation Scheduler account before you try to schedule (staff cannot create it for you)
  • ✓ Verify what photo ID is acceptable for unit check-in, and bring it with you
  • ✓ If you are using Securus for phone calls, confirm that you have a funded AdvanceConnect account (required effective December 1, 2025)

Find an Inmate at Michael Unit, TX

Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.

Exact spelling helps find results faster

Free to search · Used by families nationwide
Woman using phone to connect with loved one

More from Michael Unit, TX

Before You Drive to Michael Unit: A Pre‑Visit Checklist

A little prep can save you a wasted trip. Run through this checklist the morning of your visit to Michael Unit so you've got the basics covered and don't get turned away at the gate.

Contact Visits and Monitoring at Michael Unit: What Physical Contact Is Allowed and When Visits Are Recorded

Contact visits can feel like the one normal moment you get - so it helps to know exactly what physical contact is allowed and to go in expecting your conversation may be monitored.

How to Register a Phone to Receive Calls from an Inmate (Michael Unit / TDCJ)

To register your phone number to receive calls from someone housed at the Michael Unit (TDCJ), you’ll need the inmate’s TDCJ ID number. That ID is what the phone system uses to match your phone number to the correct person - without it, you can’t complete registration.