Navigating the process of sending items to an inmate in a prison facility involves adhering to strict protocols. This includes procedures for sending money for commissary purchases, mailing letters with photos, arranging magazine subscriptions, purchasing phone time, sending postcards and greeting cards, and even enrolling in distance learning courses to make the most of available time.
Understanding visitation hours and rules is also crucial. Find comprehensive information about these processes and more for Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) below. Scroll through our page patiently to access all the necessary details. If there's anything specific you're seeking but can't find, feel free to reach out to us at aid@inmateaid.com for assistance.
Here are some general guidelines for sending money to an inmate's trust account; but not specific to a particular facility, institution or jail. Inmates need money to access several privileges like weekly shopping at the commissary, making phone calls, using the email service where offered, using the electronic tablets where offered and paying their co-pay when needing the medical or dental services. Some county jails require a per-night fee for the jail’s expenses.
A commissary is a store within the jail. Commissary day is usually held once a week and can only be used if the inmate has funds in their commissary account, like a bank account within the institution. If the inmate has a job, their paycheck is deposited into this account, too.
The Commissary sells various products that the inmates may purchase if they have money on their books. Items sold are clothing, shoes, snacks and food, as well as hygienic products like soap, shampoo, and shavers. The commissary also sells products like books, magazines, televisions, radios, playing cards, headphones, MP3 players, electronic tablets, songs and educational programming. They also sell paper, envelopes, and stamps allowing the inmate to write their loved ones, friends and family. Facilities will provide stamps and paper to indigent inmates – eligible where no money has been in their commissary account for at least 30 days.
Sending money to an inmate varies from state to state, depending if it is county, state, or federal, their ways of accepting money for inmates change by the money transfer company they’ve contracted with. Federal Prisons and some state-level prisons have centralized banking systems which means that you do not need to know where they are specifically, just that they are in the state systems of for instance the California, Texas, Florida DOC, or the Federal BOP to name a few.
Some facilities will allow you to deposit cash through the lobby window stand-alone kiosk in the lobby or visitation room. Most facilities will also accept a postal money order mailed to the institution’s inmate mailing address made payable to the full inmate’s name.
Electronic banking allows friends and family members to send the funds online, and correctional departments are starting to favor this method because it is less work for staff and more accurate/easier to keep track of, as well as being more convenient.
Regardless of the method of sending funds, there are several key things you will need to know:
• Inmate’s full committed name
• Inmate’s ID number
• Inmate’s location – or a system like the federal BOP
Before sending any funds you should find out what online transfer companies the institution your inmate is incarcerated in uses. You can find this information on our site by navigating to the facilities page click on the Money Transfer button under the address and phone number.
Pay close attention to the rules of the facility. Sometimes they will require money senders to be on the inmate's visitation list. Some correctional facilities have a deposit limit, like $200-300 at a time, but in federal, there is no limit.
MoneyGram, JPay, OffenderConnect, AccessCorrections, JailATM, WU, Touchpayonline, tigercommissary, smartdeposit are some of the money transfer firms being used by various facilities. MoneyGram is by far the oldest and most trusted.
An inmate with fines or restitution will be subject to commissary/trust account garnishment. If the inmate has these financial obligations, they will be extracted from the inmate’s bank account. It may be a percentage or the entire amount depending on the situation. We recommend inmates who are going into their bid contact the counselor and make an arrangement beforehand. If you go in knowing they are taking 20-25% of all deposits is better than having them take it all and you find out in the commissary line when the account is zero.
This is generally a signal that the inmate is doing something they shouldn’t and needs money to get them out of or through a situation. It could be gambling, it could be extortion it could be other things you don’t need to know on this forum (for now). Set boundaries with your inmate. Tell them that “this is the amount I can send each month” and that is it. There are no extras beyond the boundary. Also, NEVER send money to the account of another inmate on your inmate’s instruction. This is a sign that something is not right. If the corrections people discover this, and they do more times than not, it will result in some severe disciplinary action to the inmate, and certainly the loss of all privileges.
We recommend speaking with the counselor or case manager of the facility and use a generic reference in the event that your suspicions are wrong. You needn’t put them in a more difficult position if they are.
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Show your loved one how much you care – order a package today! The facilities usually have a weekly limit of about $100 per inmate, plus processing and tax. The orders do NOT count towards the inmates weekly commissary allowances Deposits can be made online for inmates 24/7 using a credit/debit card
There are also a few services that allow you how to order inmate commissary online. These trusted providers are approved and share revenue with the prisons from the sales to the inmates.
Here is a list of other similar programs prison commissary: Keefe Group, Access Securpak, iCareGifts, Union Supply Direct, Walkenhorst's, CareACell
Prison commissary (also sometimes referred to as inmate canteen) is a store for inmates housed within a correctional facility. While the very most basics may be provided for by a given correctional department, there are also other important goods/services that Texas prisoners and inmates must buy. For instance, supplies such as supplementary food, female hygiene products, books, writing utensils and a plethora of other things are examples of things that can be purchased as part of an inmate commissary packages for goods.
When you add money to an inmate account, the prison funds are stored on an inmate trust fund. This prison account basically acts as a personal bank account of an inmate. They will use this account to make Inmate Calls, pay for postage to Send Photos from Inmates, send emails from inmates, purchase Items from Commissary, receive wages from jobs, and more.
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Looking to send heartfelt greetings to your loved one in prison? Some facilities have recently updated their rules for incoming mail to protect staff from potential drug contamination through the ink used in mail pieces. These new rules require mail to be sent to a third-party post office box, where it is scanned into computer files and shared with inmates without anyone physically handling the original mail. When sending letters, photos, postcards, greeting cards, and magazines to inmates at Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), adherence to specific guidelines is essential. Both incoming and outgoing mail undergo inspection to prevent the introduction of contraband that could compromise the safety, security, or well-being of the facility, its staff, and residents.
Inmate mail must not contain content that poses an immediate threat to jail order, such as descriptions of manufacturing weapons, bombs, incendiary devices, or escape tools that could realistically endanger jail security. Content advocating violence, racial supremacy, or ethnic purity is also prohibited. Additionally, inmate-to-inmate mail is not allowed and will be destroyed.
To simplify the process, individuals can utilize the mailing services offered by InmateAid. This automated system makes sending special messages or pictures to loved ones convenient and efficient. InmateAid has successfully sent tens of thousands of mail pieces per month without encountering issues with prisons or jails. Envelopes bearing the InmateAid logo assure mail room staff that the contents comply with regulations, establishing a trust that has been maintained since 2012.
Inmates are permitted to receive only metered, unstamped, plain white postcards no larger than 4" x 6". Writing must be done in pencil or blue or black ink. Any other type of mail will be returned to the sender. If there is no return address, unauthorized mail will be stored in the inmate's locker until their release. Again, InmateAid's service for postcards and greeting cards complies with the old and new rules. You can get 8 postcards/greeting cards for only $8.
By following these guidelines and using reliable services like InmateAid, you can ensure your mail reaches your loved one safely and without complications.
Looking to send heartfelt greetings to your loved one in prison? Our Greeting Cards Service offers a hassle-free solution that saves you time and money while being prison-approved for over a decade. Choose from a vast selection of cards for birthdays, anniversaries, and all major holidays, surpassing the limited options found in stores. With just a few clicks on InmateAid, you can send your heartfelt wishes directly from your phone.
Whether it's Christmas, Thanksgiving, Mother's Day, Father's Day, New Year's, or any other occasion, our diverse collection has you covered. You can even personalize the card by adding your latest selfie to make it extra special.
Sending a greeting card is quick and affordable, with bargain packages starting at just $8. Customize your message with a photo or a short note to brighten their day and show you care. Send a greeting card today and make a positive impact on your loved one’s life.
Sending magazines and books to loved ones incarcerated at Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) in 209 West 14th St, Austin, TX is a heartfelt and impactful way to lift their spirits during their time behind bars. Show your support and care by providing a monthly installment of joy and mental stimulation.
While sending magazines in envelopes is not allowed, subscribing to a magazine is straightforward and hassle-free. Simply find their favorite magazine online and subscribe using their name and the facility address. This quick process takes only a couple of minutes.
Gone are the days of dealing with subscription cards found in grocery store magazines. We've made it even easier. By clicking the link, you can select their preferred titles and include your loved one's name in the order. The process is swift, and reliable, and offers discounted rates for your convenience. Since 2012, we have been successfully delivering magazine subscriptions to inmates.
Make their day brighter with a subscription today! By delivering the best magazines and books directly from the publisher, you can ensure a continuous source of joy and engagement throughout the year.
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Prison phone companies hold a monopoly within the facilities they are contracted with, resulting in shared profits and minimal incentives for representatives to promote cost-saving measures to customers. These companies typically display their rates, often offering multiple pricing tiers. However, the primary factor determining call costs is the type of phone number used and the location of both the caller and the inmate.
In federal prisons, acquiring a new local number can significantly reduce call rates, lowering costs from $0.21 to only $0.06 per minute. The Federal Bureau of Prisons provides inmates with 300 minutes per month, and local line services usually cost $5.00, without any hidden fees or bundled services.
For non-federal facilities (county jail, state prison, private and ICE detention centers), the benefits of using a local number have diminished, making market intelligence crucial. InmateAid specializes in identifying the best deals in various scenarios. While approximately 30% of the time no savings can be achieved—a reality acknowledged by other providers—InmateAid guarantees a refund if they cannot save you money.
For more detailed information on inmate calls, individuals are encouraged to visit the InmateAid website and navigate to the facility where their inmate is incarcerated. By accessing the Prison Directory and following the links to the Discount Telephone Service, individuals can obtain an honest estimate before making any purchases.
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