If someone you love is locked up in Texas, getting money into their account covers commissary - food, hygiene, phone time, writing supplies - and keeps the connection alive. Texas runs the second-largest state prison system in the country, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) offers more deposit options than almost any other state - seven in total. There is one prerequisite: effective September 1, 2020, only people who are on the inmate's approved visitor list or Inmate Telephone List can make deposits.
Texas splits adult corrections between TDCJ for state sentences, and county jails operated by county sheriffs. TDCJ operates more than 100 correctional units. Texas has 254 counties, each with its own jail. Harris County (Houston) and Dallas County are large urban jail systems operating independently from TDCJ.
Step one: get on the approved list
Effective September 1, 2020, TDCJ only accepts deposits from individuals on the inmate's approved visitor list or Inmate Telephone List. If you are unsure whether you are on an approved list, call the unit directly - find unit phone numbers at tdcj.texas.gov/unit_directory. To register for the Inmate Telephone List, go to texasprisonphone.com or call 866-806-7804.
Do not send deposits to the facility
Regardless of the method used, do not mail money orders or deposits to the inmate's unit of assignment. All mailed money orders go to the Inmate Trust Fund lockbox in Huntsville. Inmate personal mail goes to the unit - trust fund deposits do not.
Seven TDCJ deposit options
Money orders or cashier's checks by mail - the no-fee option. Make the money order or cashier's check payable to "Inmate Trust Fund for [Offender Name and Number]." A deposit slip is required and must accompany every money order. Get deposit slips from the inmate, or mail a self-addressed stamped envelope to Inmate Trust Fund, PO Box 60, Huntsville TX 77342-0060, and TDCJ will send you slips. Mail the completed deposit slip and money order to:
Inmate Trust Fund
PO Box 60
Huntsville, TX 77342-0060
Include your name and address. Cash and personal checks are not accepted and will be returned. Single deposits of $500 or more are held 14 days before the inmate can access the funds.
Monthly ACH debit (free) - set up automatic monthly withdrawals from a personal checking account. TDCJ debits on or around the 5th of each month; funds credited to the inmate's account on or around the 10th. Download the ACH Authorization Form at tdcj.texas.gov. Attach a voided check and mail to Inmate Trust Fund, PO Box 629, Huntsville TX 77342-0629. To change or stop an ACH, submit the ACH Stop/Change Form at least 3-5 business days before the 5th of the month.
Access Corrections - online at accesscorrections.com; phone 1-866-345-1884 (live bilingual agents, 24/7); cash walk-in at stores; or register at CashPayToday.com for Dollar General deposits (1-844-340-2274). Fees apply.
ACE - America's Cash Express - available at ACE locations nationwide. Visit acecashexpress.com or call 1-866-734-2306 to find the nearest location. Fees apply.
eCommDirect - provided by Texas.gov at tdcj-ecommdirect.portal.texas.gov. Visa, Mastercard, or Discover card. Funds transfer to the inmate's trust account on the second business day. eCommDirect is also TDCJ's only direct commissary purchase program - friends and family can buy specific commissary items for eligible inmates (up to 100 top-selling items) in addition to or instead of making a trust fund deposit. One transaction per inmate per day. Fees apply.
JPay - online at jpay.com or phone at 1-800-574-5729. Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card. MoneyGram cash deposits at any MoneyGram location nationwide using receive code 3570. Fees apply.
TouchPay - online at tdcjpayment.com or phone at 1-877-868-5358. Visa or Mastercard. MoneyPak cash option at retail locations. Fees apply.
Rules that apply to all deposit methods
Only approved visitors or Inmate Telephone List registrants can deposit. Do not send funds to inmates you do not know. Do not send funds to an inmate as a favor on behalf of another inmate. Report extortion immediately to the Unit Warden and/or TDCJ Office of Inspector General. Inmate accounts are monitored for illegal activity; violators are subject to prosecution.
The TDCJ number is required
The TDCJ offender ID number is required for all deposit methods. Find it using the TDCJ inmate search at inmate.tdcj.texas.gov, or call TDCJ Classification and Records at (936) 295-6371 or (800) 535-0283, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
eCommDirect: direct commissary purchases
In addition to trust fund deposits, eCommDirect (tdcj-ecommdirect.portal.texas.gov) allows approved friends and family to purchase specific commissary items directly for eligible inmates - up to 100 of the top-selling items including snacks, hygiene products, and correspondence supplies. The online purchase does not count against what the inmate may spend from their regular trust fund account in commissary. Limits are based on quarterly spend caps and custody level. Inmates on commissary restriction or in certain custody levels are not eligible. Only one purchase per inmate per day.
TDCJ contact
PO Box 99
Huntsville, TX 77342-0099
(936) 295-6371
tdcj.texas.gov
Inmate Trust Fund inquiries: 936-438-8990
Harris County jail: separate Houston system
If your person is in a Harris County jail facility in Houston - The 1200 Jail, The 701 Jail, or another Harris County facility - they are not in a TDCJ state prison. Harris County operates its own jail system with different deposit methods.
Harris County accepts the following for deposit:
Access Corrections - online at accesscorrections.com; phone 866-345-1884; lobby kiosks; cash walk-in locations. This is the primary electronic deposit platform for Harris County jails.
Western Union - visit any Western Union location, call 1-800-634-3422, or use westernunion.com. When prompted for a code city, enter "ITF-Texas." You will also need the inmate's name and SPN.
TouchPay - available by phone for smaller deposits.
Mail - money orders and cashier's checks payable to the inmate, with the inmate's SPN and your name and address. Mail to the specific facility address:
The 1200 Jail: Attn: Inmate Deposit, 1200 Baker Street, Houston TX 77002
The 701 Jail: Attn: Inmate Deposit, 701 North San Jacinto Street, Houston TX 77002
The SPN (System Personal Number) is the Harris County inmate identifier - different from the TDCJ offender ID number. Use the Harris County inmate search to find the SPN. For questions call 713-755-5300.
County jails: vendor varies across 254 counties
Texas has 254 counties, each with its own jail. Most Texas county jails use Access Corrections, JailATM, TouchPay, or combinations of these. The only reliable way to find the current deposit vendor for a specific Texas county jail is to check that county sheriff's website or call the facility directly.
Accounts do not transfer between systems. When your person moves from a county jail to a TDCJ state prison, county account balances stay with the county vendor. You set up new deposits through any of the seven TDCJ authorized channels using the TDCJ offender ID - after confirming you are on the approved visitor or telephone list.
Federal custody in Texas
Federal Bureau of Prisons facilities in Texas include FMC Fort Worth, FCI Seagoville, FCI Bastrop, FCI Texarkana, FCI Big Spring, and several others. Federal deposits go through the BOP Trust Fund via Western Union, MoneyGram at retail, or online at bop.gov. You need the eight-digit BOP register number. Do not use TDCJ or county methods for federal inmates.
What to know before you send anything
You must be on the approved visitor list or Inmate Telephone List before depositing. Register at texasprisonphone.com for the telephone list, or contact the inmate to be added to the visitor list.
Do not mail money orders to the facility. They go to Inmate Trust Fund, PO Box 60, Huntsville TX 77342-0060 - with a deposit slip.
ACH monthly debit and money-order-by-mail are the no-fee options. All electronic options carry service fees.
eCommDirect lets you buy specific commissary items for eligible inmates directly - this is separate from a trust fund deposit.
MoneyGram code for TDCJ is 3570 (via JPay).
Harris County uses Access Corrections, Western Union (code city "ITF-Texas"), TouchPay, or mail to the facility. The inmate identifier is the SPN, not the TDCJ number.
Related pages:
/prisons/texas
How to write a letter to someone in a Texas facility
Send mail and photos through InmateAid
Arrest Record Search (affiliate)
Frequently asked questions
What deposit options does TDCJ accept?
Seven options: money orders/cashier's checks by mail (free), monthly ACH debit (free), Access Corrections, ACE (America's Cash Express), eCommDirect (Texas.gov), JPay, and TouchPay. All require the sender to be on the approved visitor list or Inmate Telephone List.
Do I need to be on an approved list to deposit money?
Yes. Effective September 1, 2020, TDCJ only accepts deposits from individuals on the inmate's approved visitor list or Inmate Telephone List. To register for the telephone list: texasprisonphone.com or 866-806-7804.
What is the no-fee deposit option?
Two options: (1) mail a money order or cashier's check with a deposit slip to Inmate Trust Fund, PO Box 60, Huntsville TX 77342-0060; or (2) set up a monthly ACH debit from your checking account (also free).
What is the MoneyGram receive code for TDCJ?
3570 (used through JPay). Available at MoneyGram locations nationwide.
Where do I mail money orders for TDCJ?
Inmate Trust Fund, PO Box 60, Huntsville TX 77342-0060. Do not mail to the inmate's facility. A deposit slip is required. Make payable to "Inmate Trust Fund for [Offender Name and Number]."
What is eCommDirect and how is it different from a trust fund deposit?
eCommDirect (tdcj-ecommdirect.portal.texas.gov) is TDCJ's direct commissary purchase program. You can buy specific commissary items for eligible inmates (up to 100 items) in addition to or instead of depositing money into the trust fund. The purchase does not reduce what the inmate can spend on regular commissary. One transaction per inmate per day. Not available for all custody levels.
What is the Harris County deposit process?
Harris County uses Access Corrections (accesscorrections.com; 866-345-1884), Western Union (code city "ITF-Texas"), TouchPay by phone, or money orders by mail payable to the inmate sent to the specific jail address. The inmate's SPN (System Personal Number) is required. Call 713-755-5300 for questions.
What is the SPN?
The System Personal Number - the Harris County inmate identifier. Different from the TDCJ offender ID.
How do I send money to someone in federal prison in Texas?
Use the BOP Trust Fund - Western Union, MoneyGram, or bop.gov. Texas federal facilities include FMC Fort Worth, FCI Seagoville, FCI Bastrop, FCI Texarkana. You need the eight-digit BOP register number. ====================================================================