Set up phone accounts with Securus Technologies, GTL/ViaPath, ICSolutions, and other Texas jail phone providers so you can receive calls from a loved one in any Texas county jail or TDCJ state prison. Complete vendor guide for all 254 Texas counties.
ⓘ Calls may be answered by a licensed bail bond agent.You cannot call an inmate directly at a Texas jail. Inmates initiate all outbound calls through the facility phone system during designated calling hours. Here is how to set up your account to receive calls.
There is no way to call directly into a Texas jail to speak with a specific inmate. Inmates place outbound calls from approved facility phones. You cannot call in. They call out to numbers registered with the facility vendor.
Your phone number must be registered with the jail phone vendor before you can receive calls. Create a prepaid account and add funds before the inmate makes their first call attempt. An unfunded or unregistered number will not connect.
The inmate dials your number manually from the facility phone. They must have your complete number memorized or written down before calling. Confirm they have your current area code and full number before their first call attempt.
All Texas county jail and TDCJ phone calls are recorded and monitored, except calls to licensed attorneys which are privileged. Never discuss case details, evidence, or strategy on a jail phone. Attorney calls are legally protected from monitoring.
Texas county jails use contracted phone vendors. You must create an account with the correct vendor for your specific jail. Using the wrong vendor means calls will not connect. Call the jail to confirm which vendor they use before setting up an account.
Used by many Texas county jails and all TDCJ state prison facilities. Create an account at securustechnologies.com or call 1-800-844-6591. The TDCJ version is called TexasPayPhone. Fund your account before the inmate first call attempt. App available for iOS and Android.
Also offers: Video visitation and photo messaging at many Texas facilities.
GTL rebranded as ViaPath Technologies in 2022. Their calling platform is now GettingOut. Create an account at gettingout.com or call 1-877-650-4249. Some Texas county jails still reference GTL on facility signage. GettingOut app available for mobile devices.
Also offers: Video visitation and messaging at participating Texas facilities.
Serves a number of smaller Texas county jails. Create an account at icsolutions.com or call 1-888-729-4427. ICSolutions offers both prepaid debit accounts and collect call billing charged to your phone. Confirm which billing method the specific jail supports before signing up.
Also offers: Collect call option available at some Texas facilities.
Formerly Telmate. Now Smart Communications. Used by some Texas facilities. Create an account at smartjailmail.com or call 1-855-348-0180. The SmartVisit and SmartJailMail apps provide calling and video at participating Texas jails.
Also offers: Integrated email and messaging with calling through a single family account.
Call the county jail at the phone number on our county directory and ask which phone vendor handles inmate calls. This is the most important step. The wrong vendor means no calls will connect regardless of how much you fund the account.
Go to the vendor website or call their customer service. Create an account with your email and add your phone number as an approved contact. Identity verification may be required. The process takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Have a valid payment method ready.
Add funds via credit or debit card. Make sure your account has a positive balance before the inmate first call attempt. An account at zero balance will not accept calls. Start with at least 20 to 30 dollars to cover initial calls while you learn the rate structure.
The inmate dials your complete phone number manually. Send it in a letter or share it during an in-person visit. Make sure they have the full 10-digit number including area code before their first call attempt.
Most vendors offer automatic refill when your balance drops below a set threshold. Enable this to prevent missed calls due to an empty account. Calls disconnected mid-call due to insufficient funds cannot be refunded.
The FCC caps in-state jail calls at approximately 14 cents per minute for larger facilities. Smaller county jails may charge up to 21 cents per minute. Each call also typically has a connection fee of 25 cents to 3 dollars depending on the vendor and facility contract. Check the vendor rate schedule before funding your account.
No. You cannot call an inmate directly at a Texas county jail or TDCJ facility. Inmates initiate all outbound calls from approved facility phones during designated calling hours. You must set up a prepaid account with the jail phone vendor before you can receive calls from an inmate.
Texas county jails use different providers depending on the specific facility. The most common are Securus Technologies, GTL/ViaPath through the GettingOut platform, and ICSolutions. TDCJ state prisons primarily use Securus Technologies. Call the jail directly to confirm which vendor they use before creating an account.
Go to securustechnologies.com or call 1-800-844-6591. Create an account, add your phone number as an approved contact, and fund the account with at least 20 dollars before the inmate first call attempt. For TDCJ facilities, the Securus platform used is called TexasPayPhone.
In-state Texas jail phone calls are capped by FCC regulations at approximately 14 to 21 cents per minute depending on jail size, plus a connection fee of 25 cents to 3 dollars per call. International calls cost significantly more. Check the specific vendor rate schedule because rates vary by facility contract.
Yes. All Texas county jail and TDCJ phone calls are recorded and may be monitored, except calls to licensed attorneys which are legally privileged. Never discuss case details, evidence, witness information, or legal strategy on a non-attorney jail phone call. Prosecutors can and do use recorded jail calls as evidence.
Calling hours vary by facility and housing unit. Most Texas county jails allow calls during morning, afternoon, and evening time blocks. After lights-out calls are typically not permitted. Contact the specific jail for their current calling schedule as hours change based on staffing and facility policy.
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