How to Schedule Your First Visit (In-Person or Tablet) — Michael Unit (TDCJ rules)
Visiting someone at the Michael Unit for the first time? The scheduling system is usually the trickiest part. Once your TDCJ Online Visitation Scheduler account is set up, booking an in-person or tablet video visit gets much easier.
You'll use the TDCJ Online Visitation Scheduler to set everything up and reserve your time slot. This is especially important for tablet (video) visits - those have to be scheduled through the TDCJ portal. One heads-up: you'll need to create your own account. Unit staff can't do it for you.
Note: Tablet (video) visits at the Michael Unit have to be scheduled online through the TDCJ visitation portal.
- Start account creation with your email - In the TDCJ Online Visitation Scheduler, choose the option to create an account and enter a valid email address.
- Open the registration email - After you submit your email, you’ll get a message that includes a link and a 7-digit validation code.
- Use the link to return to the scheduler - Click the link in that email to continue registration.
- Enter the 7-digit key and set your password - Re-enter your email, enter the 7-digit key from the email, then create a password that meets all requirements.
- Confirm and submit - Re-type the password for confirmation and submit to finish this part of setup.
- Handle the account yourself - If you get stuck, remember that visitors must create their own accounts; staff can’t create one for you.
Take your time on the password screen. The scheduler has specific requirements, and you'll need to re-type your password exactly to confirm. If the system rejects it, you probably missed a requirement or the two entries didn't match.
Once your password is set, you'll land on the Background Questionnaire. Answer every question - you can't move forward until it's complete. After that, fill out your Visitor Profile. When you're done, your Home Page should display the Add Inmate button.
- ✓ Answer every question in the Background Questionnaire (you can’t continue until all are completed)
- ✓ Complete your Visitor Profile so the Home Page displays the Add Inmate button
From your Home Page, click Add Inmate and search by the inmate's TDCJ number or SID number. Make sure you have all 8 digits - the system won't accept anything shorter.
Note: If you don’t see the option you expected after adding the inmate, re-check that your Visitor Profile is complete - access to the Add Inmate button is tied to completing your profile.
Select your visit type, then browse available dates and times. Tablet (video) visits for Michael Unit inmates are scheduled through this same portal. Traveling a long way? There's an "extended visit" option for visitors coming from more than 250 miles one way. If the warden approves - and space allows - extended visits can last up to four hours.
- Select the visit type you want - Choose the option that matches your plan (including tablet/video visits, which are scheduled through the online portal).
- Review the calendar for open slots - Look through the available dates and times shown in the scheduler.
- Consider extended visit needs early - If you’re traveling more than 250 miles one way, extended visits may be available if authorized and if time and space allow.
Quickreminders
- ✓ Confirm the inmate is assigned to the Michael Unit and has visitation privileges before you plan the trip
- ✓ Call the unit for final confirmation before traveling
- ✓ Plan around the posted regular visiting hours: Saturday 8:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. and Sunday 8:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Tip: Call the Michael Unit for final confirmation before you drive out - this is the simplest way to avoid a wasted trip.
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