Federal Detention Center Houston
Find messaging, video, and phone options for Federal Detention Center Houston. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- Federal Facility
- Security Level
- Administrative
- Inmate Capacity
- Not available
- Established
- Not available
- Operated By
- Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
Federal Detention Center Houston Inmate Communication Overview
Federal Detention Center Houston is a federal correctional facility in Harris County, Texas, operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Communication for families follows the standard process used across Bureau of Prisons institutions: contact is inmate-initiated, all communications are monitored, and each service is funded through a separate account.
Communication at Federal Detention Center Houston is handled through CorrLinks and ConnectNetwork. CorrLinks handles electronic messaging. ConnectNetwork handles phone calls, video visits, money transfers. Create an account with each provider you plan to use, and be ready with the inmate's full name and ID number when you set up.
Before creating any account or sending funds, confirm your loved one's current facility placement using the appropriate inmate locator. Providers and rules change when someone is transferred, so an account that works today may not be correct after a move. Visiting hours and communication rules can also change with little notice, so check the operating agency's website before relying on any single method.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
1200 Texas Avenue, Houston, TX 77002
Main Phone
(713) 221-5400
Administrative line — not for inmate calls
Visit and Contact Details
Inmate search, mail, visiting hours, costs, commissary, and bail information for this facility.
Inmate Search
Search inmates on the official roster
Check the spelling of the name carefully, and allow 24 to 72 hours for new arrivals to appear in the roster.
INMATE NAME and REGISTER NUMBER, FDC Houston, FEDERAL DETENTION CENTER, P.O. BOX 526255, HOUSTON, TX 77052
Include the inmate name and ID on all mail.
Visiting Hours
Legal visits: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday through Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Social visiting schedule not verified
Commissary / Sending Money
Do NOT send money to an inmate using this facility address. All funds sent through the mail must be addressed to a processing center in Des Moines, Iowa. Applies to all Federal inmates
Communication Options
Available communication services at Federal Detention Center Houston.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: CorrLinks
Electronic messaging is reviewed by facility staff before delivery.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: ConnectNetwork
Video visits are scheduled in advance through the provider platform.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Physical photos by mail only, subject to facility content rules.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: ConnectNetwork
Calls are inmate-initiated. Fund an account so calls can connect.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: ConnectNetwork
Deposit funds for commissary and communication through the provider.
Communication Providers at Federal Detention Center Houston
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
ConnectNetwork
Handles phone calls, video visits, money transfers.
View ConnectNetwork ServicesCommunication Rules at Federal Detention Center Houston
- CorrLinks handles messaging. Create your account first and add the inmate using their full name and ID number.
- ConnectNetwork handles phone calls. Fund an account so inmate-initiated calls can connect.
- All communications are monitored and reviewed under the operating agency's policy.
- Confirm current facility placement with the inmate locator before creating accounts or sending funds.
- Visiting hours and communication rules can change with little notice. Check the operating agency's website first.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions: Federal Detention Center Houston
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I message someone at Federal Detention Center Houston?
- Create an account with CorrLinks, add the inmate by name and ID number, and send your message. Messages are reviewed by staff before delivery, so allow some time for a reply.
- How do phone calls work at Federal Detention Center Houston?
- Phone calls run through ConnectNetwork. Set up a prepaid account linked to your phone number so the inmate can call you. All calls are inmate-initiated and subject to the facility's monitored call schedule.
- Can I do a video visit with someone at Federal Detention Center Houston?
- Video visits are available through ConnectNetwork. Create an account, look up the facility, and schedule an available time slot in advance.
- How do I find out where someone is being held?
- Use the Bureau of Prisons inmate locator at bop.gov/inmateloc to confirm current custody status and facility before setting up any communication account. Providers differ by facility, so verifying placement first avoids funding the wrong platform.
- How do I send money to someone at Federal Detention Center Houston?
- Deposits go through ConnectNetwork. Create an account, select the inmate's trust account, and add funds by debit or credit card. Processing usually takes one to three business days.
- How do I find or search for an inmate at Federal Detention Center Houston?
- Use the official inmate search at https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/. If the inmate does not appear, allow 24 to 72 hours after booking and try alternate spellings.
- How do I send mail to an inmate at Federal Detention Center Houston?
- Address mail as follows: INMATE NAME and REGISTER NUMBER, FDC Houston, FEDERAL DETENTION CENTER, P.O. BOX 526255, HOUSTON, TX 77052. Include the inmate's full name and ID on every envelope.
- What are the visiting hours at Federal Detention Center Houston?
- Legal visits: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday through Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Social visiting schedule not verified
- Can I receive incoming calls from an inmate at Federal Detention Center Houston?
- No. Inmates can only call out, so you cannot call an inmate directly. The inmate must call you, and your number must be on their approved list.
- How do I block or stop calls from an inmate at Federal Detention Center Houston?
- Contact the facility's phone provider and ask to block the number, or block the number through your own phone carrier. You can also ask the facility to remove your number from the inmate's approved list.
Troubleshooting at Federal Detention Center Houston
Fix the most common problems families hit with calls, video visits, money, and messaging.
- Why am I not receiving calls from an inmate?
- Inmates can only call out, so you cannot call an inmate directly. If expected calls are not coming through, check your phone's spam or silence-unknown-callers setting, since carriers often block jail numbers. Save the facility's number as a contact, confirm your number is on the inmate's approved list, and check whether your carrier blocks collect or prepaid calls. If several expected calls fail, contact the facility's phone provider support.
- Why is my inmate not showing up in search?
- New arrivals can take 24 to 72 hours to appear in search results, and people in transfer may temporarily disappear from listings. Try alternate spellings and name variations, and make sure you are searching the right system: the federal BOP locator only covers federal inmates, while county and state searches are separate. Some records are withheld for protective custody or sealed cases. If it has been more than a few days, call the facility's records office.
- I sent money but it is not showing in the inmate's account. What should I do?
- Allow processing time first. Electronic deposits can take hours and money orders can take much longer. Check your receipt and confirm the inmate's name and ID matched. Do not send a second payment until the first one is traced, since duplicate payments are hard to reverse. Contact the money-transfer provider's support with your receipt or confirmation number. If the inmate was recently transferred, funds may follow after a delay.
- Why was my video visit cancelled or cut off?
- Most cancellations come from connection problems or conduct-rule violations. Stay in frame, keep your ID ready, follow the dress code, keep other people off camera, and avoid profanity. Visits can also be cancelled for facility lockdowns or schedule changes. For refunds, contact the video provider's support with your visit details.
- What should I do if the facility changed its communications provider?
- Create an account with the new provider, since old accounts and balances do not transfer automatically. Ask the old provider whether refunds are available for unused balances. Confirm the new provider's phone, video, and messaging setup before your next visit or call.
- Why is my CorrLinks invite code not working?
- Invite codes expire, and a code only works for the inmate who sent it. Ask the inmate to send a fresh invite, and enter the code exactly as shown. Also confirm the inmate added you to their approved contact list, since messaging cannot start before that step. See our guide: CorrLinks invite code not working
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