Mail, photos, messaging, and phone/call options for staying in touch.
Michael Unit offers remote video visits through Securus. Sessions are scheduled online, last up to 60 minutes, and each inmate is limited to one remote video visit per month. Securus charges $10.00 per session, and you'll follow the vendor's scheduling and payment steps. For phone calls, you need to register your telephone number and provide the inmate's TDCJ ID. Registration requires you to be the phone's registered owner, be at least 18, and agree to call-use restrictions. On the payment side, Securus requires a funded AdvanceConnect account to pay for calls effective December 1, 2025. If you need help, contact the Inmate Technology office during its posted hours.
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Contact visits can feel like the one normal moment you get â so it helps to know exactly what physical contact is allowed and to go in expecting your conversation may be monitored.
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.
To register your phone number to receive calls from someone housed at the Michael Unit (TDCJ), youâll need the inmateâs TDCJ ID number. That ID is what the phone system uses to match your phone number to the correct personâwithout it, you canât complete registration.
Want to receive phone calls from someone at the Michael Unit? You'll need to get your number approved first. Once you're registered and set up to pay, staying connected gets a lot easier.
To receive phone calls from someone at the Michael Unit, your number needs to be registered in the TDCJ phone system first. Once that's done, staying on top of the registration rules and the AdvanceConnect payment requirement will help you avoid missed calls and account issues.
Contact visits at the Michael Unit allow some physical contact, but everything is structured and closely supervised. Here's what "contact" actually means, what touch is allowed, and how long and how often visits happen.
Contact visits at the Michael Unit feel more personal than non-contact visits, but they come with clear boundaries. Here's what
When you create a TDCJ Online Visitation Scheduler account, the email address you choose isn't just a casual detailâit's permanent. Once an account is created, you can't delete it or change the email tied to it. So take a moment to pick an address you'll still have access to months or years from now, not just whatever's convenient today.
Schedule remote video visits online through the approved Securus portal for Michael Unit. Each session lasts up to 60 minutes and costs $10.00. Inmates are limited to one remote visit per month.
Register your telephone number and provide the inmate's TDCJ ID to complete setup. You must be the registered owner of the number, at least 18, and willing to agree to restrictions like no forwarding or three-way calling. If you run into issues, Michael Unit lists telephone assistance numbers for registration questions.
Phone payments go through Securus. Effective December 1, 2025, Securus requires a funded AdvanceConnect account for calls. Set up your account and add funds before trying to make or receive calls.
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.
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.
Scheduling your first visit at the Michael Unit starts online, and a few small details can trip you up. Here's the exact order to set up your TDCJ Online Visitation Scheduler account, add the inmate, and reserve a visit date.
