Michael Unit

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice maintains a searchable public database of all of the inmates they have in custody.

In addition, the offender search contains information about prisoners currently incarcerated only.

The actual prison that an inmate is assigned to depends on factors such as security classification, remaining time of their sentence, gang affiliation, and location of their residence.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice began in 1849, when the first state prison, Texas State Penitentiary at Huntsville, was built in Huntsville. One of its most notable features is that to this day, it houses an execution chamber that operates all the executions within the state of Texas. 

Today the state of Texas' Prison System maintains 64 state correctional institutions.

With a staff of 28,500 correctional workers, as of the end of 2023 they oversee approximately 135,000 inmates, with another 204,000 on probation and 78,000 on parole.

The following will explain the instructions, tricks and hacks you can use to find any inmate in custody with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice Inmate Search Instructions

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice provides a limited amount of information you may want to know about any inmate in their system. Inmates in custody have their crimes listed, as well as previous convictions. To look up an inmate, you need to enter the full last name and at least the initial of their first name.  

• You can also list any and all inmates using that name by doing this.

The first set of results if you used the full last name (in this case we used the common name of 'SMITH') will list their Name, TDCJ Number, Race, Gender, Projected Release Date, Current Location and Age. Click on the linked Name to get to the inmate's page.  

The inmate's page has more detailed information, however they do NOT post the inmate's mugshot.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice Inmate Money Sending Instructions:

Michael Unit uses the services of JPAY for you to send money to an inmate's trust fund / commissary account and for sending them email. 



You can send money to an inmate/offender's commissary/spendable account through the Send Money page.
There are several ways to send money to an inmate/offender.

1. Online payments
2. Over the phone by calling 800-574-5729
3. MoneyGram
4. If you wish to send cash you can use MoneyGram. MoneyGram has many convenient locations nationwide.
   The following establishments will always have MoneyGram services:
   Walmart
   7-11
   CVS Pharmacy

You will need:
Inmate's Correctional ID number and last name
The facility name or receive code.
You can visit the MoneyGram website to find locations near you.

        5. Money Order - Inmate's Name must be on the Money Order

        6. Lobby Kiosk
            You can use a debit or credit card in the lobby kiosk to send funds to an inmate/offender.

Once the inmate's account is funded you can email them from the jpay page.

Michael Unit Inmate Visitation Information and Schedules

All inmates, except those who are being processed through intake, in G5, restrictive housing level 2 or level 3, or in lockdown status, are allowed one visit every week, generally two adults for two hours.

Children under the age of 18 are not counted in this number and must be accompanied by an approved adult visitor (18 years or older).

The number of children allowed per visit will be based on the amount of space available for visitation and on the visitor’s ability to manage and control the children.

Additional adult visitors may be allowed at the warden’s discretion if special circumstances arise and space permits.

Visitation Hours are normally on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 1:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

The names of all visitors, 18 years and older (except the inmate’s attorney), must be on the approved Visitors List, which is limited to 10 individuals.

To confirm you are on the Visitor's List, call the facility at 903-928-2311.

Visitation Rules -  English    Espanol

Remote Inmate Visitation Instructions

Michael Unit Visitation Schedule

In addition to normal at-the-prison visits, Michael Unit uses Securus Video Connect for Remote Inmate Video Visitation. 

Video Visitation allows 'approved' friends, family members, attorneys and clergy of an inmate to connect with them using their computer, Securus Video Visitation app, or ‘on-site’ kiosk. 

Steps:
Register and/or log in.
Select the facility of your inmate.
Review the days, available hours and the cost of remote and on-site visits.
Schedule your visit.

What is the Cost of a Remote Video Visit?
Costs vary and are subject to change, but generally visits range from $5.00 to 15.00 for a 15 to 30 minute online or on-site video visit.

How do you know if your Inmate will be available during the time you schedule?
The Securus system knows the times that Michael Unit inmates are available for remote video visits.
It will not allow you to schedule a visit with your inmate if they are not available or the video visitation kiosk(s) in the jail are booked already.
Once you schedule a visit with your inmate they will be notified of the date and time of the visit.

Important Tips:
Your entire visit is being monitored and recorded. Do not say or do anything that you would not want being replayed in court.
You should schedule your visit, in advance, at a time that works best for you.
For best sound quality, use earbuds or headsets.

Quick & Easy Access to Important Information & Help:
Phone: 972-734-1111 or 877-578-3658
Video Tutorial on Registering for Securus Video Visits.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Michael Unit Pricing.
Securus Contact Information.
iphone app
Android app

Michael Unit Inmate Remote Visitation Instructions & Schedule

In addition to normal at-the-prison visits, Michael Unit uses Securus Video Connect for Remote Inmate Video Visitation. 

Video Visitation allows 'approved' friends, family members, attorneys and clergy of an inmate to connect with them using their computer, Securus Video Visitation app, or ‘on-site’ kiosk. 

Steps:
Register and/or log in.
Select the facility of your inmate.
Review the days, available hours and the cost of remote and on-site visits.
Schedule your visit.

What is the Cost of a Remote Video Visit?
Costs vary and are subject to change, but generally visits range from $5.00 to 15.00 for a 15 to 30 minute online or on-site video visit.

How do you know if your Inmate will be available during the time you schedule?
The Securus system knows the times that Michael Unit inmates are available for remote video visits.
It will not allow you to schedule a visit with your inmate if they are not available or the video visitation kiosk(s) in the jail are booked already.
Once you schedule a visit with your inmate they will be notified of the date and time of the visit.

Important Tips:
Your entire visit is being monitored and recorded. Do not say or do anything that you would not want being replayed in court.
You should schedule your visit, in advance, at a time that works best for you.
For best sound quality, use earbuds or headsets.

Quick & Easy Access to Important Information & Help:
Phone: 972-734-1111 or 877-578-3658
Video Tutorial on Registering for Securus Video Visits.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Michael Unit Pricing.
Securus Contact Information.
iphone app
Android app

Texas Department of Criminal Justice Inmate Phone Instructions:

Prior to signing up with Securus, the third-party phone service that Michael Unit contracts with, you need to FIRST REGISTER your phone with the TDCJ.

Once approved, move on to the next step...

The Michael Unit Inmate Phone System is Securus. 

Sign up with Securus by clicking the banner below.

1.  AdvanceConnect – Good Option - You control all phone numbers your inmate can call.

This type of account offers you the following benefits:
•    You are able to receive inmate calls as long as funds are available in your account.
•    You can add multiple phone numbers to your account so your inmate can reach your home phone, work phone, cell phone, other relatives, neighbors, friends, etc.
•    Calls WILL connect to cell phones.

2.  Inmate Debit – Inmate can call anyone they choose (subject to jail's approval)

This type of account offers you the following benefits:
•    You can fund an Inmate Debit account without having your own calling account.
•    Inmates can call anyone on their approved calling list without requiring friends and family to create separate prepaid accounts.
•    Calls WILL connect to cell phones.
•    Funds placed in the Inmate Debit account will become the property of the inmate and friends & family members will not be able to receive refunds on this account. 

3. Direct Bill - You receive calls from your inmate, and the charges are billed to you monthly.

• Requires a credit check. 
• Costs more.
• Good for lawyers, bail bonds, long-term inmates, etc.

Resources
Contact Securus by Phone:  972-734-1111 or 800-844-6591
Contact Securus Online
Frequently Asked Questions
Submit a Question for Securus Online
Online Rate Quote

Michael Unit Inmate & Family Voicemail

Securus Outbound Voicemail provides your inmate an opportunity to leave a message for their family and friends when a call to their mobile goes unanswered. Once the inmate leaves a voicemail, a text message containing a link will be sent to the dialed number. The recipient of the inmate's voicemail is then sent to a web form to pay and listen to the message. The voicemail will be available for up to 30 days after it is sent, and then another 30 days after it is paid for.

Securus Phone System Cost & Fees - *Subject to Change

ADVANCE CONNECT Phone Calls 
$0.21 per minute

INMATE DEBIT Phone Calls
$0.21 per minute

DIRECT BILL Phone Calls
$0.25 per minute

TRADITIONAL COLLECT Phone Calls
$0.25 per minute

VOICEMAIL Message
One minute - $0.75 per minute

For current online rate quote, go here.

Michael Unit Inmate Mail Guidelines

Postcards
The Michael Unit allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature. It is best to only use blue or black ink. Always include your name and return address.

Envelopes
The Michael Unit also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates. It is best to only use blue or black ink.

Postcards and envelopes MUST HAVE the sender's full name and return address on the envelope. 

Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate Name, Inmate TDCJ Number
Confirm Mailing Address here

Legal Mail

Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate Name, Inmate TDCJ Number
Confirm Mailing Address here

Newspapers
Newspapers may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher.

Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.

Books
The Michael Unit allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address noted.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Michael Unit standards will be disposed of. 
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.

All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate Name, Inmate TDCJ Number
Confirm Mailing Address here

Texas Department of Criminal Justice Inmate Mail Instructions

• Letters sent to inmates should include the inmate’s name, TDCJ number, and unit address on the envelope.
   
• Unit addresses are available here. The Michael Unit address can be found at the top of this page.
   
• Letters for different inmates should not be included in the same envelope.
   
• Inmates are not allowed to write or eceive letters from other inmates without meeting specific criteria outlind in the “Uniform Inmate Correspondence Rules.”
   
• Mail is forwarded to inmates who transfer from one unit to another within the TDCJ.
   
• Letters will be forwarded to inmates who are released from prison, if the inmate provides a forwarding address at the last unit of assignment.
   
• Inmates may not write to minors whose parents disapprove, with the exception of an inmate’s own children or stepchildren (unless the child or stepchild is the inmate’s victim).
   
• The TDCJ prohibits unauthorized contact with a victim or a victim’s family member by inmates if the inmate is currently serving time for committing a crime against that victim; the victim was younger than 17 years of age at the time of the offense; and written authorization for the contact was not obtained prior to the initiation of the contact.
   
• The TDCJ also prohibits the unauthorized contact of a victim by a sex offender.
   
• The courts may also prohibit an inmate from contacting, during the term of confinement, the victim of the offense for which the defendant is convicted or a member of the victim’s family.
   
• Unauthorized materials or contraband found in mail addressed to inmates will be rejected.
   
• Individuals who commit serious violations of the correspondence rules may not be allowed to write to an inmate.
   
• Newspapers, magazines, and books may be mailed directly to inmates only by the publisher, publication supplier, bookstore, or online bookseller, subject to review and rejection in accordance with the correspondence rules.
   
• Inmates may receive reference books and other educational materials from volunteer organizations that operate the following types of programs: literacy and education, life skills, job skills, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, support groups, arts and crafts, and any other programs designed to aid inmates in the transition between confinement and society.
   
• Inmates are prohibited from maintaining active social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and similar social media, for the purposes of soliciting, updating, or engaging others, through a third party or otherwise.
   
• Do not assist inmates in circumventing agency policy by operating social media accounts on behalf of inmates.
   
• Social media accounts maintained by third parties that are about an inmate or discuss an inmate are not prohibited if they do not claim to be personally maintained by the inmate. 
• Stationery is writing paper and envelopes, to include carbon paper.
   
• Stationery may be provided through the indigent correspondence supply program or purchased through the unit commissary by the inmate and inmate families or friends through the eCommDirect program.
   
• Items such as food, clothing, jewelry, toiletries, or any item other than books, magazines, and newspapers may not be mailed to inmates.
   
• Individuals may not mail packages to inmates.

Inmates in the Michael Unit can purchase commissary items using money in their Trust Fund account.  Depending on the size of the facility, inmates have access to up 700 different iems, including snacks, nutritional supplements, personal hygiene, educational supplies, entertainment and clothing. Food items also include kosher products to meet certain religious guidelines and requirements.

In addition, the TDCJ Commissary and Trust Fund Department has an online program, eCommDirect, where friends and family can purchase items for inmates. There are up to 100 different commissary products that can be purchased.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice Inmate Email Sending Instructions:

Michael Unit uses the services of JPAY for you to send money to an inmate's trust fund / commissary account and for sending them email. 



You can send money to an inmate/offender's commissary/spendable account through the Send Money page.
There are several ways to send money to an inmate/offender.

1. Online payments
2. Over the phone by calling 800-574-5729
3. MoneyGram
4. If you wish to send cash you can use MoneyGram. MoneyGram has many convenient locations nationwide.
   The following establishments will always have MoneyGram services:
   Walmart
   7-11
   CVS Pharmacy

You will need:
Inmate's Correctional ID number and last name
The facility name or receive code.
You can visit the MoneyGram website to find locations near you.

        5. Money Order - Inmate's Name must be on the Money Order

        6. Lobby Kiosk
            You can use a debit or credit card in the lobby kiosk to send funds to an inmate/offender.

Once the inmate's account is funded you can email them from the jpay page.

Michael Unit now offers Securus 'SecureView' Tablet Rentals to their inmates.

  
Securus is the same company that handles the inmate phone system, video visitations, email and texting and digital letters.

The tablets can be rented on a monthly basis and while not directly connected to the internet, the inmates can use them for the following activities:

• Phone Calls - Inmates may make calls directly from their tablet allowing for more privacy. The rates are the same as the phones in the unit, and the calls are still recorded and monitored.
• eMessaging - Communicate via a text based message or picture. Fee based system.
• Job Search - Using JobView, a secure job search application, inmates have the ability to see what jobs are available when they are released.
• Education - Free educational platform and course catalog that provides thousands of educational resources.
• Self Help -Inmates have daily access to mental health and addiction recovery programming.
• Music - Top-40, Hip-Hop, Country, Rock, Gospel, and more.
• Law Library -  Legal research with up-to-date case information.
• eBooks - Thousands of available titles.
• Religion - Religious resources for spiritual guidance.
• Games - Inmates can play their favorite games. Available through monthly subscriptions
• Facility Services - Digital access to submitted forms, requests, facility documents, and notifications from staff.

Here's how it works:

• Register here.  It is recommended you use Chrome or Firefox.
• Pay for the subscription using Paypal.
• You get charged the 1st of each month. 
• You get charged a full month even if it's only used for a partial month.
• No activation or early termination fees.
• Your inmate will recieve their tablet in 3-5 business days, after you pay.

Questions:

• By phone - 800-844-6591 or 972-734-1111.
• By email - tablets@securustech.net

Once an inmate is convicted and sentenced for a violation of that state’s felony laws (and their sentence is more than one year in length), they are moved from the City or County Jail and sent to a State Prison in Texas. If the violation they are convicted of is a federal crime, they will be sent to a Federal Prison, but will not necessarily be doing their time in Texas.

Texas State Prisons are operated and maintained by the state government and are used to confine and rehabilitate criminals. State prisons are funded by state tax money. The fund is used to provide food and clothes to inmates and to hire employees to keep the prison running. Inmates in state prison enjoy certain privileges such as TV use and recreation, both indoor and outdoor. The number of privileges allowed depends on the security level of the prison, the inmate and the overall needs of the prison on a specific day.

Texas has minimum, medium and maximum security prisons. The Corrections Department in Texas also maintains low (or no) security residential settings and camps where inmates assist in state property maintenance and duties such as fighting fires. Almost all prisons provide ‘jobs’ where an inmate can earn a small hourly wage and even learn a trade. Some prisons even contract with call centers and handle phone calls on issues related to their state government. Criminals who have committed a violent crime or killed someone are likely housed in a maximum security prison. If the inmate in these prisons behave, they are also eligible to recreate and/or work as well.

In Texas Prisons rehabilitation is the stated goal but the reality is that they exist to punish inmates for their crimes and keep them from hurting or harming innocent people on the outside who follow the laws and live and act responsibly. The fact is that most prison systems are underfunded, overcrowded and are not able to spend time and money rehabilitating offenders. This is not the fault of the people hired to work in prisons, they are just victims of the lack of resources due to budgeting constraints.

State Inmate

Most states have Department of Corrections websites that allow you to type in a felon's first and last name and pull up inmates in that state.

If you need to find a sentenced inmate serving time in a state other than Texas, go here. To find an inmate in Texas, just scroll to the top of the page and click on the Inmate Search button.

Once you locate them click next to the inmate's name or on the link provided and it will show you which prison the inmate is housed in. If the inmate is no longer incarcerated, but is on parole/probation or discharged, it will tell you that as well. In addition, many state prison inmate pages show recent mug shots.

Federal Inmate

The federal prison system has its own inmate locator called the Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator.

Type in the inmate's name and it will tell you where he or she is incarcerated and their projected release date. It also lists released federal prison inmates and the date they were released.

Federal inmates who are moved from one prison to another will show as "No longer in federal custody" on the system until they reach their next federal prison destination. This movement can take a few days to several months to complete, so keep checking back to find out where the inmate was taken.

ICE Inmates

The ICE Detainee Lookup allows friends, family members and interested parties to locate illegal and/or undocumented immigrants that are in the United States without permission.

Has the Inmate been recently arrested?... Try a County Jail

In many cases, the person you are looking for has either not been convicted or sentenced or has been sentenced and is awaiting transport to a State or Federal Prison and is still incarcerated in a City or County Jail.

To locate that person, go here to first find the State, and then the County where they were originally arrested or have been transported to. From there you can begin your search in our databases that contain the names and information of millions of inmates.

Jailexchange.com has all information on every jail and prison in the United States.