How to send messages, photos, and packages
To receive phone calls from Smith Unit, register your telephone number at texasprisonphone.com. You may need the inmate's TDCJ ID to finish setup—assistance phone lines are available if you run into problems. Calls go through the state's vendor system, which typically monitors calls and uses prepaid or account-based payment options. Other ways to stay in touch—like remote video visits, electronic messaging, and tablet services—may be available, but exact features, scheduling, and eligibility depend on Smith Unit and the inmate's privileges. If you're using vendor or scheduling portals, follow the account steps carefully: password resets are usually handled by email, and new accounts often require an emailed validation code. Always confirm rules, schedules, and fees on the Smith Unit inmate page and approved vendor portals before paying or scheduling.
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
Sending a letter, greeting card, or photos to someone at Smith Unit? The biggest thing to know: TDCJ now routes most personal mail through a central digital processing center in Dallas.
Register your phone number at texasprisonphone.com to receive calls from the Smith Unit; you may need the inmate’s TDCJ ID to complete registration. If you get stuck, use the assistance phone lines for registration or vendor support.
Video visits, electronic messaging, and tablet services may be available, but options and scheduling depend on Smith Unit and the inmate's privileges. Check the inmate's facility page and approved vendor portals for eligibility, scheduling, payment details, and fees.
Use the scheduler site’s “Forgot Password/Reset Password” option and enter your email to get reset steps. When creating a new account, you may need to enter a 7-digit validation code sent to your email to finish registration.
Send personal mail to: Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Inmate’s Full First and Last Name + TDCJ Number, PO Box 660400, Dallas, TX 75266-0400. Include the inmate’s TDCJ number and the unit name or address to help ensure correct delivery.
Your letter is routed to a Digital Mail Processing Center, where pages are scanned and uploaded to the inmate’s digital account. If the inmate doesn’t have a tablet, they receive a black-and-white printed copy.
Legal and privileged mail is handled separately and typically doesn't go through the central scanning process. It follows the facility's legal-mail procedures instead.
A few quick checks before you leave can save you hours of driving. Run through this list to make sure your visit will actually happen once you get to Smith Unit.
The TDCJ Online Visitation Scheduler is your gateway to booking a visit at the Smith Unit. Get the email validation, questionnaire, and relationship request right the first time, and everything else falls into place.
Smith Unit holds visits on Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. That's the full window the unit is open for visitation — you'll still need to factor in check-in time and any waiting once you arrive.
