Welcome to TDCJ: A Guide

Welcome to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). This guide will help you navigate the initial steps of supporting your loved one.

First of all, take a deep breath. It’s going to be ok. Follow these steps to get started:

Join the Support Group for Your Loved One’s Unit

Unit Support Groups and Advocacy Groups:
- This spreadsheet contains a list of all TDCJ Units (locations, warden, contact information, video visit types, Facebook groups, and other information)

Understand the Intake Process

When entering TDCJ from a county facility, every inmate will go through an intake facility.

Intake typically takes between 30-45 days, please plan for 45 days or longer.
Inmates will NOT be able to make any phone calls until they have completed intake (even if your phone is registered).
Personal belongings and property from county will NOT arrive until 4-6 weeks after the transfer.
Monies that will be transferred from county can take several weeks to transfer to TDCJ trust fund accounts (books).
Once your loved one has a TDCJ#:
- You can add money to books
- They can go to commissary (store)
- You can register your phone
When the inmate is doing their visit list make sure:
- They add your correct NAME (spelling matters)
- Correct RELATIONSHIP
- Correct ADDRESS
  - If they make a mistake, they typically cannot change the list for another six (6) months.

IMPORTANT: If your loved one has NO money, they can fill out an I-60 to the law library requesting an “Indigent Package”.

The law library will send the inmate a paper checklist, that checklist will contain a list of things the inmate can request from the law library while under indigent status. The package will arrive in a large envelope, which your loved one should keepThey will then receive an indigent package in a big envelope. Keep a big envelope so they can continue to obtain writing materials, pens, or paper.

Register Your Phone

Texas Prison Phone:

Go to Texas Prison Phone
- Create an Account:
  - Follow the instructions to register your phone number.
  - Verify your phone number through the automated process.
- Approval:
  - Wait for TDCJ to approve your registration. You will receive a notification once approved.
  - Provided conditions are met, you should be registered within 3 days of the time we receive your online registration or your automated registration. Please provide an email address with your registration so we can notify you when approved.

Set Up Your Securus Account

2. Visit the Securus Website:

Go to Securus Technologies.
- Create an Account:
  - Click on “Sign Up” and complete the registration form.
  - Verify your email address.
- Download the App for your device
  - Apple
  - Android
- Add Funds:
  - Select “Securus Debit”
    - Adds funds to your loved one’s account for phone calls and other services (games, movies, subscriptions, etc..)
    - Money added via the debit account can be used to call any number on an inmates call list
  - Select “Manage Prepaid Account”
    - This is for phone calls only.
    - Money added via the prepaid account can only be used to call the number attached to your Securus account
  - Purchase Stamps
    - Stamps are used for sending eMessages and Snap n’ Sends
    - You can also transfer stamps to your loved one

On the Securus App you ARE able to*:
- Send eMessages (1 Stamp)
- Send Snap n’ Sends (1 Stamp)
- Add funds to Securus Debit (for phone calls, games, movies, music etc…)
- Add funds to AdvancedConnect (for calling YOUR registered numbers only)
- Block calls
- Update your profile
- Schedule video visits (at some units)
On the Securus App IN TDCJ you are NOT able to:
- Use the Videogram feature
- Use the Text Connect feature

*If your Loved One has “Print” on their profile in the “Inmate Portal” that means they do not have access to a tablet, but eMessages sent to them will be printed and hand-delivered.

Understanding Trust Fund, Securus Debit, and eCommDirect

Trust Fund:
- A general account where you can deposit money for your loved one’s use for various needs.
- Funds can be deposited via:
Securus Debit:
- A prepaid calling account managed by Securus for phone calls, music, games, subscriptions ONLY (can not be used for commissary purchases)
- Funds can be added through your Securus account.
eCommDirect:
- Allows you to purchase commissary items for your loved one.
- Visit the eCommDirect website to order.

Ordering eComm Direct

You must be on your loved ones approved visitation list or call list in order to send eCommDirect
Frequency:
- Orders can be placed once every calendar quarter.
  - Q1: January – March
  - Q2: April – June
  - Q3: July – September
  - Q4: October – December
- eCommDirect “resets” the first week of the month barring lockdowns or technical issues.
Maximum Spend:
- The maximum spend amount per order is $70 (except for holiday spend).
  - January – March up to $70
  - April – June up to $70
  - July – September up to $70
  - October – December up to $95 (Holiday Spend).

Mail and Digital Mail

Personal mail, greeting cards, and photos should be sent to the Digital Processing Center in Dallas.

To send mail to the Digital Processing Center, please address it to:

Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Inmate’s Full First and Last Name + TDCJ Number
PO Box 660400
Dallas, TX 75266-0400

All other mail should be sent as follows:

Type of Document	Where to Send
Personal mail from family, friends, and businesses*	Digital Mail Processing Center
Greeting cards	Digital Mail Processing Center
Photos	Digital Mail Processing Center
Documents that require inmate signature	Unit Law Library
Surveys to be completed by inmates	Contact Research & Development Department
Legal mail	Unit
Special mail	Unit
Media correspondence	Unit
Business correspondence from organizations, businesses, and agencies	Unit

A table that identifies where mail should be sent

*Follow TDCJ guidelines for sending mail. Avoid prohibited items. Ensure you have the correct address for your loved one’s new unit. Each unit has specific mailing addresses for certain types of inmate mail.

Video Visitation

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) has implemented two remote video visitation systems, Securus and Tablet Video Visitation (Jitsi) to help families and friends stay in touch with inmates on select correctional facilities. TDCJ units use either Securus or Jitsi Meet for video visitation:

1. Securus

Securus remote video visitations are 60 minutes long and will cost $10.00. Inmates will be limited to one remote video visitation per month. Remote video visits are on a set schedule that will begin and end at the scheduled times. Visitors may log into the remote video visitation one minute prior to the scheduled start. Sessions will not be extended due to delayed start times. Any session not started within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time will require rescheduling. In the event of issues or technical difficulties, visitors may log out and log back in during the visit.

Securus Instructions: https://securustech.net/tdcj/index.html#tdcj-video-visitation

Units that use Securus: Clements Unit, Connally Unit, Crain Unit, Garza West Unit, Hutchins State Jail, Jester III Unit, McConnell Unit, Wynne Unit, Michael Unit, Montford Unit, Sanchez Unit, Stiles Unit, Travis State Jail

2. Jitsi Meet

Tablet video visitations are 60 minutes long and come at no cost. Inmates will be limited to one remote video visitation per month. Visitors should call the warden’s office to schedule a visit. The visitor will receive a text or e-mail at the scheduled time. Follow the directions in the text or e-mail to access the visitation.

Jitsi Instructions: https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/visitation/video_visitation/

Units that use Jitsi Meet: https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/news/remote_video_visitation.html#tablet

Useful Resources

Commissary Prices List:
- TDCJ Commissary Price List
Online Inmate Search:
- Use the TDCJ Offender Search to find information about your loved one.
  - Parole Review Status
  - Parole Decisions
  - Unit Location
    - If your loved one “catches chain” (is moved to another unit), you will be able to see the new unit on the Offender Search site when the site is updated
  - The site is updated between 3 AM – 6 AM CT Mon-Fri
Visitation Rules:
- Review the TDCJ Visitation Rules to understand the guidelines and schedule your visits.
Unit Support Groups and Advocacy Groups:
- This spreadsheet contains a list of all TDCJ Units (locations, warden, contact information, video visit types, Facebook groups, and other information)

For more information, visit the TDCJ official website.

Chapters and Chains