Phone & Messaging
How to Contact an Inmate at Facility
Getting set up for phone calls and mail with someone in a TDCJ unit takes a few specific steps. Here's the fastest way to connect.
Contact an Inmate at Tulia Unit.
Mail, photos, messaging, and phone/call options for staying in touch.
Overview
Tulia Unit offers several vendor-run ways to stay connected. Remote kiosk video visits must be scheduled through the vendor website. Eligible inmates can receive up to 60 minutes once per month, in addition to contact or general visits. Tablet-based video visits are scheduled online through the TDCJ visitation portal at https://visitation.tdcj.texas.gov/Visitation/. For phone calls, register your number at texasprisonphone.com and have the inmate's TDCJ ID ready if asked. Electronic messages go through JPay: create an account at www.jpay.com and buy the electronic stamps needed to send e-messages. Note that billing rules can change. Securus advises that starting December 1, 2025, you'll need a funded AdvanceConnect account to pay for calls.
Find an Inmate at Tulia Unit
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
Free to search · Used by families nationwide
Quick Facts
- Remote video visits via a kiosk must be scheduled through the vendor website and are available in addition to contact/general visits for up to 60 minutes once per month.
- Tablet video visits must be scheduled online through the TDCJ visitation portal at https://visitation.tdcj.texas.gov/Visitation/.
- Before receiving calls from a TDCJ inmate, you must register your telephone number at texasprisonphone.com and you may need the inmate's TDCJ ID.
- Families must register at www.jpay.com and purchase vendor-set electronic stamps to send e-messages to TDCJ inmates.
- Securus states that, effective December 1, 2025, a funded AdvanceConnect account will be required to pay for phone calls.
Contact & Communication Guides
What You Can and Can't Do During a TDCJ Contact Visit — concise checklist
Contact visits come with strict rules, and staff are always watching. This quick checklist will help you avoid interruptions.
What You Can and Can't Do During a TDCJ Contact Visit (and What ID to Bring)
Contact visits in TDCJ allow some physical contact, but it has to stay limited and visible. Here are the rules that trip people up most often, plus a clear ID checklist for adults and kids.
Where to Actually Send Mail for TDCJ Inmates: Digital Processing Center vs. Unit Address
Confused about whether to send mail to an inmate's unit or TDCJ's Digital Mail Processing Center? You're not alone. Here's the breakdown, plus the exact address format TDCJ requires.
Where to Actually Send Mail to a TDCJ Inmate (Digital Processing Center vs. Unit Address)
If your mail keeps getting returned or delayed, the problem is usually simple: it went to the wrong place. TDCJ sends most personal mail through the Digital Mail Processing Center in Dallas. But certain items still need to go directly to the inmate's unit address.
Common Questions
How do I schedule a video visit with someone at Tulia Unit?
Remote kiosk video visits are scheduled through the vendor website. Eligible inmates can get up to 60 minutes once per month, in addition to contact visits. Tablet video visits are scheduled online through the TDCJ visitation portal at https://visitation.tdcj.texas.gov/Visitation/.
What do I need to do to receive phone calls from an inmate at Tulia Unit?
Register your phone number at texasprisonphone.com and have the inmate's TDCJ ID available if requested. Plan for vendor payment requirements too: Securus advises that starting December 1, 2025, you'll need a funded AdvanceConnect account to pay for calls.
How can I send electronic messages to an inmate at Tulia Unit?
Create an account at www.jpay.com and purchase electronic stamps to send e-messages. Messages go through the vendor and are delivered to the inmate via tablet or printout, depending on unit procedures.
Other Guides for Tulia Unit
How Long Is a TDCJ Visit — standard times, custody-based frequency, and when you can get extra time
Planning a TDCJ visit? The two big questions are usually: "How long do I get?" and "How often can I go?" Here's what to expect for standard visits, how custody level affects frequency, and when you might qualify for extra time.
How the TDCJ Visitors List Works — who can be added, how often it can change, and why it matters for calls & deposits
Trying to help someone in TDCJ with visits, phone calls, or commissary money? The official Visitors List is central to all of it. The catch: it's limited to 10 names and can only be changed at set intervals—so planning ahead matters.
How to Get on an Inmate's Approved Visitors List at TDCJ and Who Can Send Money
At TDCJ, being "approved" goes beyond visits. It also determines whether you can deposit money into someone's account and whether you can receive their phone calls.