How to Register Your Phone Number to Receive Calls from an O'Daniel Unit Inmate
Want to receive phone calls from someone at the O'Daniel Unit? You'll need to register your number first. Once enrolled with TDCJ's phone system, the inmate can place paid calls to you—provided they're eligible and following TDCJ rules.
Your phone number must be registered before you can receive calls from a TDCJ inmate at the O'Daniel Unit. If it's not enrolled, calls won't come through. This is the first step - handle it before troubleshooting anything else.
Before you start, grab the inmate's TDCJ ID. Registration is tied to the specific person calling you, and you'll need their 8-digit TDCJ ID number to complete enrollment.
You'll register through the Texas Inmate Telephone Friends & Family Enrollment system. The bottom line: calls from a TDCJ inmate won't reach you until your number is enrolled. Do this before waiting for a first call or trying to troubleshoot missed ones.
- ✓ The inmate’s 8-digit TDCJ ID number
Need to talk to someone for help? The published phone hours are inconsistent. One TDCJ source says Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Another notice states that effective February 2, 2026, Inmate Technology office hours will be Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (excluding state holidays). Since these conflict, verify the current hours before calling so you don't waste time.
You can also email phone and vendor-service issues to offenderphones@tdcj.texas.gov. This gives you a written record of your complaint and what you're asking to be fixed.
TDCJ has a formal complaints process for vendor service problems. Complete the ITS Contact Form online, or mail a written complaint to the Inmate Technology Services Contract Manager at PO Box 4016, Huntsville, TX 77342-4016. This channel covers the Inmate Telephone System, E-Messaging Service, Inmate Tablets, and Securus Video Visitation - so use it if your issue involves any of those services.
Note: Published phone hours conflict - 8 a.m.–5 p.m. in one place, 8 a.m.–3 p.m. (effective Feb. 2, 2026) in another. Check the current hours before calling so you don't miss the support window.
- Confirm your number is registered - You must register your telephone number before you can receive calls from a TDCJ inmate at the O’Daniel Unit.
- Double-check the inmate’s 8-digit TDCJ ID - Registration requires the inmate’s TDCJ ID number, so make sure you entered the correct ID for the person you’re trying to receive calls from.
- Email your complaint - Send telephone/vendor-service issues to offenderphones@tdcj.texas.gov.
- Use the formal ITS complaint options - Submit the ITS Contact Form, or mail a written complaint to the Inmate Technology Services Contract Manager at PO Box 4016, Huntsville, TX 77342-4016.
- Match your issue to the right service - This complaint process covers vendor services for the Inmate Telephone System, E-Messaging Service, Inmate Tablets, and Securus Video Visitation.
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