Texas Inmate Ministry, Support and Advocacy

06/16/2026

⭐️ SECURUS VIDEO CALLS: *** UPDATE*** 6/16/26⭐️

Securus sent a notification to everyone registered with a loved one in TDCJ stating "Pay-Per-Minute Video Calling is coming to TDCJ Facilities". The Securus communication was not clear in who would be eligible for these calls.

TIMSA was able to confirm the details with the TDCJ I.T.S. Department.

The Details are:
⭐️ This ONLY IMPACTS the 13 units currently on the Securus Video Visit System. This IS NOT ROLLING OUT TO ALL UNITS.

⭐️ Families will register in the Securus App for VIDEO CALLING

⭐️ Families will continue to schedule these visits in the Securus App

⭐️ The calls will be conducted through the Securus App and the Securus kiosk/terminals

⭐️The current billing is PER-HOUR and will CHANGE TO PER-MINUTE

⭐️The calls will take place on the SECURUS KIOSK/TERMINALS installed at the 13 units on the Securus Video Visit System

⭐️ Video Calls WILL NOT take place on the inmate tablets, they do not have cameras on them

⭐️ Those incarcerated WILL NOT VIDEO CALL YOU FROM THEIR TABLETS.

⭐️ Securus is not currently expanding into other units

⭐️ The 13 units are:
Clements Unit
Connally Unit
Crain Unit
Garza West Unit
Hutchins State Jail
Jester III Unit
McConnell Unit
Michael Unit
Montford Unit
Sanchez Unit
Stiles Unit
Travis State Jail
Wynne Unit

⭐️⭐️ NEW RATE PER MINUTE .16 CENT OR $9.60 PER HOUR ⭐️⭐️

⭐️Questions? [email protected]

⭐️ As always, this information is subject to change

06/10/2026

SECURUS VIDEO CALLS:

Securus sent a notification to everyone registered with a loved one in TDCJ stating "Pay-Per-Minute Video Calling is coming to TDCJ Facilities". The Securus communication was not clear in who would be eligible for these calls.

TIMSA was able to confirm the details with the TDCJ I.T.S. Department.

The Details are:

⭐️ This ONLY IMPACTS the 13 units currently on the Securus Video Visit System. This IS NOT ROLLING OUT TO ALL UNITS.

⭐️ Families will register in the Securus App for VIDEO CALLING

⭐️ Families will continue to schedule these visits in the Securus App

⭐️ The calls will be conducted through the Securus App and the Securus kiosk/terminals

⭐️The current billing is PER-HOUR and will CHANGE TO PER-MINUTE

⭐️The calls will take place on the SECURUS KIOSK/TERMINALS installed at the 13 units on the Securus Video Visit System

⭐️ Video Calls WILL NOT take place on the inmate tablets, they do not have cameras on them

⭐️ Those incarcerated WILL NOT VIDEO CALL YOU FROM THEIR TABLETS.

⭐️ Securus is not currently expanding into other units

⭐️ The 13 units are:
Clements Unit
Connally Unit
Crain Unit
Garza West Unit
Hutchins State Jail
Jester III Unit
McConnell Unit
Michael Unit
Montford Unit
Sanchez Unit
Stiles Unit
Travis State Jail
Wynne Unit

⭐️Questions? [email protected]

⭐️ As always, this information is subject to change.

06/10/2026

Clements Unit - Annual Lockdown Update

We have received an influx of inquiries asking if visitation was canceled for Clements Unit and if the Tablets were off during lockdown. Apparently an advocacy groups has reported that as verified information.

We have confirmed that is an erroneous announcement and is not factual.

Clements Unit is on ANNUAL LOCKDOWN and the population will have tablet access and VISITATION WILL OCCUR (both video visits and in-person).

There is one section (3-A) on SUSPENSION and the do not have tablet access and will not have visitation. Their suspension is through 6/16/26, and that is always subject to change.

If your loved one has a tablet and they ARE NOT in 3A housing, they WILL HAVE TABLET ACCESS and their VISITATION WILL NOT BE IMPACTED!

TIMSA verified this with the Senior Warden.

If you need assistance: [email protected]

06/03/2026

Carbon monoxide was detected at the Bridgeport Unit this morning. All individuals were evacuated immediately from the building, and no injuries have been reported.

Out of precaution, the agency will transport the incarcerated population to nearby facilities until the necessary repairs are made.

Continue to monitor our social media and website for updates.

https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/news/Bridgeport_Evacuated_Due_to_Carbon_Monoxide.html

05/25/2026

Vending Machine Issues

If you have issues with the vending machines while at visitation, such as taking your money, charging you but not dispensing product and you are unable to reach the vending machine provider, this link from the TDCJ website gives you information on how to escalate the matter.

This does not pertain to “holds” on your credit card/debit card. When you use a credit card or debit card on the machines, the system the vending machine vendors use will place a temporary hold on your credit card or debit card. That should drop off after a short period of time. If it does not, contact your financial institution to confirm if it is a HOLD or CHARGE. Then go from there.

I recommend using the Walmart money card as it will not do the hold and will deduct as you make a purchase.

Home page for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

05/20/2026

Celebrate those parole wins, regardless of which FI your loved one gets.

Parole is a privilege not a right. This is how every state DOC& TDCJ view parole. It has to be earned. And not everyone earns that privilege.

Checking that parole status and seeing APPROVED is a time to celebrate the accomplishments your loved one made.

Prison has many temptations, many opportunities for things to go wrong and is not a desirable place to be. Having a loved one that stays focused, minimal cases, and who dedicates his/her time to their rehabilitative efforts is something worth celebrating whether they are approved or denied for parole. The dedication is real and the accomplishments should not go without acknowledgement.

We all want an FI-1 because it means home ASAP. But sometimes we get the delays with required programs. I think of delays as a message from God. He is delaying you for a reason. We may never know that reason. But the reason is there. It could be to prevent something tragic from happening or a million other things. I look at it as less time “on paper”

As someone near and dear to me made parole here recently we were taken aback by the program requirement. It was an unforeseen delay. But regardless they are on their way home. And it is a reason to celebrate. What I’ve learned from my loved one is that the classes taken on the tablet through the ITP program, the Edovo classes and classes at the unit level they all play a pivotal role in retraining their brain. These classes on the tablet were a key component in turning a no into a yes. That being said, we know this short program we have to face is a bump in the road and the program will only help redirect and prepare for the family reunification.

I say this with my whole chest, celebrate the win. Trust the process. Stay grounded in your faith, and have patience. Patience is key to reunification. ❤️

05/17/2026

During the TDCJ summit we got to meet some wonderful members and it was a pleasure to meet and chat! You all are amazing!

05/16/2026

THE TDCJ BOOK PORTAL - ETA June 2026

We will soon be required to log the books we purchase for our loved ones. There will be a grace period (to be determined) during the rollout.

After the portal is rolled out we MUST log the books we order.

05/16/2026

Commissary spend cycles

05/16/2026

Commissary Items : some of these are new for women