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.
Before you can receive phone calls from a TDCJ inmate, you need to register your telephone number. TDCJ uses a Texas-specific portal at texasprisonphone.com. Calls won't come through until your number is set up there.
You may need the inmate's TDCJ ID number when you register. Don't have it? Look it up using the TDCJ inmate search, or call the unit to confirm the correct ID before submitting your registration.
Update for phone payments (starting December 1, 2025): Securus requires a funded AdvanceConnect prepaid account to pay for phone calls. You can set it up and add funds at securustech.net or in the Securus mobile app.
Mail works differently in TDCJ now. Since September 6, 2023, TDCJ units use a digital mail platform. Personal mail, greeting cards, and photos go to a processing center where they're sorted, scanned, and uploaded to the inmate's secure tablet.
Steps to Follow
- ✓ Gather the inmate’s TDCJ ID number (use the TDCJ inmate search or contact the unit if you need to confirm it).
- ✓ Register your telephone number at texasprisonphone.com so you can receive calls from the inmate.
- Go to Securus to start your AdvanceConnect account. Use securustech.net or the Securus mobile app.
- Create or sign in to your account. Follow the prompts for AdvanceConnect.
- Fund the AdvanceConnect prepaid account. A funded AdvanceConnect account is required to pay for phone calls effective December 1, 2025.
- Write your letter or choose your items. Personal mail, greeting cards, and photos are included in the digital mail process.
- Send them to the digital mail processing center. That is where items are sorted and scanned.
- Expect digital delivery to the inmate. After scanning, the content is uploaded to the inmate’s secure tablet.
Having trouble getting calls? Double-check that you registered the correct telephone number at texasprisonphone.com and used the right TDCJ ID. If you're unsure whether the ID is required or you're hitting errors during sign-up, confirm the ID through the TDCJ inmate search or by calling the unit directly.
Before you rely on it: Confirm the current AdvanceConnect requirements and funding process in your Securus account (securustech.net) or the Securus mobile app, especially as the December 1, 2025 change takes effect.
Since TDCJ uses a digital mail platform, verify what gets scanned and uploaded versus what might be handled differently. Check the latest TDCJ digital mail guidance and confirm any questions with the unit. This saves you time and prevents mail from being rejected due to format or content issues.
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