Sending Money in Texas (TDCJ)
How to deposit money into a TDCJ trust fund account, fees, spending limits, and deductions.
How the Trust Fund Works
TDCJ keeps funds in an Inmate Trust Fund account. The incarcerated person may spend from that account, but does not physically control the money.
Common uses of trust-fund money
- Commissary
- Phone and tablet services
- Messaging or media purchases
- Medical co-pays or other charges assessed by TDCJ
Deposit Methods
TDCJ publishes several deposit options. The practical methods most families use are online vendor deposits, mailed money orders, and TDCJ’s ACH debit program.
Online and vendor deposits
Approved options include:
- JPay
- eCommDirect
- TouchPay
TDCJ also lists other approved vendors on its trust-fund deposit materials. Vendor options can change over time.
Money order or cashier’s check
Mail deposits to:
Inmate Trust Fund
PO Box 60
Huntsville, TX 77342-0060The payment should be made payable to the Inmate Trust Fund for the person’s name and number. TDCJ uses deposit slips for mailed trust-fund payments.
ACH direct debit
TDCJ offers a monthly checking-account debit program.
- ACH is handled directly through TDCJ rather than a third-party vendor.
- TDCJ describes the ACH program as a free service.
- The debit generally occurs around the 5th day of the month, with credit to the inmate account around the 10th.
Fees and Processing Times
Fees vary by vendor and amount. TDCJ does not set a single statewide electronic fee schedule for all vendors.
Typical fee pattern
| Method | Typical fee pattern | Processing speed |
|---|---|---|
| JPay | Service fee, often a low-dollar flat fee that increases with deposit amount | Usually same day to a few business days |
| eCommDirect trust-fund deposit | Service fee charged during checkout | Usually same day to a few business days |
| TouchPay | Service fee based on method and amount | Usually same day to a few business days |
| Money order or cashier’s check | No vendor fee beyond postage or purchase cost | Usually slower than online deposits |
| ACH direct debit | No TDCJ service fee for the monthly debit program | Monthly schedule rather than immediate posting |
Commissary Spending
TDCJ’s general commissary spending limit is up to $105.00 every two weeks.
What that amount covers
Commissary prices vary by unit and stock, but recent statewide price lists show roughly these ranges:
- Snack items: about $0.40 to $4.50
- Hygiene items: about $0.55 to $10.00
- OTC items and vitamins: about $0.60 to $7.00
- Correspondence supplies: low-dollar items such as stamps, paper, and writing supplies
The 50% Deduction Rule
This is one of the most important TDCJ account rules.
What the rule means in practice
- Deductions are tied to outstanding debts on the person’s account.
- The deduction is taken from incoming deposits, not only from existing balances.
- The rule affects small deposits as well as large ones.