There are so many ways to connect with an inmate in Texas—via TDCJ’s Inmate Telephone System is one of them. The system allows inmates to call their friends and family either through Collects Calls, Friend and Family Prepaid, or an Inmate Telephone Prepaid Debit Account (Securus Debit Account).
As the family of an inmate housed at TDCJ, you may need to register your phone number first in order to receive calls from an inmate. If you do not yet know how to register your phone number for an inmate incarcerated in TDCJ, you can see our post to find the guide.
How to Register Your Phone Number for an Inmate in TDCJ?
It’s very straightforward to register your telephone number for an inmate incarcerated at TDCJ. Before registering your phone number, you will need to meet the following requirements:
- Make sure the name listed on your driver’s license matches the name on your telephone service enrollment.
- Please ensure that you agree to the following conditions:
• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You are the registered owner of the phone that will accept calls from an inmate you register for.
• You’ll allow inmate calls to your phone number.
• You shouldn’t forward calls, make 3-way calls, or use a speakerphone on calls you receive from an inmate you registered for.
• You have to understand that eligible inmates are not allowed to speak with any adult who is not listed on their approved calling list. - You may be required to upload a photo or photocopy of your out-of-state driver’s license.
There are two methods to register your phone number for a TDCJ inmate. Here’s how:
Method 1: Via Texas Inmate Telephone Friends and Family Enrollment
If you take this method, you’ll need to visit the official website of the Texas Friends and Family Enrollment Center at www.texasprisonphone.com. On the homepage of the website, you will see the option that says “Register Your Phone.” select on it.
Once you have selected on the option, you will need to complete registration by following the four steps below!
Step 1: Agree with the TDCJ’s terms and conditions
First, you need to agree to the TDCJ’s terms and conditions that we’ve mentioned above. Make sure to tick all the TDCJS’s conditions to successfully register your phone number in TDCJ. After ticking TDCJ’s conditions, select the “Continue” button.
Step 2: Enter a TDCJ inmate’s number
In the second step, you will be required to enter an inmate ID number from TDCJ. If you already have the ID of an inmate incarcerated in TDCJ, you can enter it on the available bar and select “Search.”
If you enter the inmate ID correctly, the result will show the inmate’s first and last name. Here, the phone number bar will also appear, and you can then enter your phone number to register.
How to find a TDCJ inmate’s ID? If you do not yet know or want to make sure of the ID of an inmate, you can do an inmate search first by visiting the TDCJ Inmate Search Tool here. To search for an inmate, you need to enter one or more hints regarding the inmate, such as the inmate’s last name, first name, TDCJ number, SID number, gender, and race.
The following page will show you a list of inmates incarcerated at TDCJ based on the hints you’ve provided. From the list, you need to find the appropriate inmate you’re searching for. Here, you will find the TDCJ number of an inmate. After finding it, you can enter it on the available phone number bar when registering your phone number at the Texas Friends and Family Enrollment Center website.
Step 3: Provide your personal information
After entering your phone number, the next step allows you to provide your personal information. Make sure to enter the information exactly as it appears on your driver’s license or state ID. Here they are:
- Your first name and last name
- Your driver’s license or state ID number
- Your DL or state ID
- Your driver’s license address
- Your driver’s license city
- Your driver’s license ZIP
- Your birthdate
Step 4: Provide your billing information
The last step allows you to provide your billing information, including your email address, billing address, method of phone (cell phones or home phones), and manner of phone calls you’ll choose—either collect calls, inmate prepaid debit account, or family and friend prepaid.
After you have provided your billing information, you will be taken to a little drop box where you can take a copy of your recent bill. Here, you can only drag it and drop it in that little drop box. Then, you need to submit it and make sure to wait three days to receive an answer via email to know whether or not you’re approved.
Method 2: Via Phone Call
In addition to registering your phone number via the Texas Friends and Family Enrollment Center website, you can also register your phone number by making a phone call to TDCJ Representatives at (866) 806-7804.
After you’re connected to a TDCJ representative, make sure to tell them that you want to register your phone number for an inmate housed at TDCJ. Just like registering your phone number in the previous method, you also must know the inmate ID you will register for.
These are two methods to register your phone number for an inmate incarcerated at TDCJ. You can now try to register your phone number to allow your loved one housed in TDCJ to make phone calls to you. Good Luck!!!
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
