How to Add Money to an Inmate's Account at Baten Unit
Adding money to someone's account at Baten Unit goes through TDCJ's Inmate Trust Fund system. You've got several options—but there's a catch: not everyone is allowed to send money.
Since September 1, 2020, only people on the inmate's approved visitor list or Inmate Telephone List can deposit money. If you're not on one of those lists, your deposit may be blocked. Confirm your status before sending anything.
Accepted Methods Overview
- ✓ Money orders or cashier’s checks (Inmate Trust Fund deposits)
- ✓ Monthly Checking Account Debit (ACH) using the ACH Authorization Form
- ✓ Access Corrections (ACE)
- ✓ eCommDirect (provided by Texas.gov)
- ✓ JPay
- ✓ TouchPay Payment System
TDCJ offers several ways to deposit funds for Baten Unit inmates: mail-in options like money orders and cashier's checks, bank drafts via ACH (using an ACH Authorization Form), and online services including Access Corrections/ACE, eCommDirect through Texas.gov, JPay, and TouchPay. Before you choose one, make sure you're an approved sender under the visitor/telephone list rule.
eCommDirect has quarterly spending caps for commissary purchases. The limit is $70 for January–March, $70 for April–June, and $70 for July–September. During the holiday quarter (October–December), it bumps up to $95.
eCommDirect charges fees on top of your order or deposit. Commissary purchases cost $3.75 per order. Deposits run $2.50 plus 2.25% of the deposit amount.
Example: If you deposit $100 through eCommDirect, the deposit fee would be $2.50 plus 2.25% of $100 ($2.25), for a total fee of $4.75. A separate commissary purchase would add a $3.75 purchase fee.
Practical Steps Tips
- ✓ Confirm you’re on the inmate’s approved visitor list or the Inmate Telephone List before you try to deposit
- ✓ Double-check you have the right inmate information (including their TDCJ number) so the money goes to the correct person
- ✓ If you’re sending a money order or cashier’s check, follow the Inmate Trust Fund instructions exactly
- ✓ If you’re using ACH, make sure you complete the ACH Authorization Form
- ✓ If you’re using an online vendor (Access Corrections/ACE, eCommDirect via Texas.gov, JPay, or TouchPay), set up any required account details before you start the deposit
- ✓ For eCommDirect, plan around the quarterly limits ($70 most quarters; $95 October–December) so your order doesn’t exceed the cap
- ✓ Budget for eCommDirect fees: $3.75 per commissary purchase, and $2.50 + 2.25% for deposit transactions
Reminder: You must be an approved sender (on the visitor list or Inmate Telephone List) for any deposit method to work. Using eCommDirect? Keep those quarterly caps and transaction fees in mind before placing an order.
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