How to Send Money to Someone at Christina Melton Crain Unit (TDCJ): All Your Options Explained
Sending money to someone at the Christina Melton Crain Unit works through TDCJ's Inmate Trust Fund system. You'll use the same deposit options available at all TDCJ facilities. Here are your main choices, what each works best for, and the details you need to avoid delays.
You have several TDCJ-approved ways to add money to someone's Inmate Trust Fund account at the Christina Melton Crain Unit. For online deposits, the state's eCommDirect site accepts Visa, MasterCard, or Discover (service fees apply). TDCJ also approves third-party vendors - Access Corrections, ACE (America's Cash Express), JPay, and TouchPay - each with different payment methods including online, phone, and cash options. Prefer mail? TDCJ accepts money orders or cashier's checks when made out correctly and sent with a completed deposit slip. And if you're supporting someone long-term, TDCJ offers a free monthly ACH service that pulls funds from your checking account around the 5th and credits the offender's account around the 10th.
Access Corrections is one of TDCJ's approved deposit vendors. Pay through their website, by phone at 1.866.345.1884 (live bilingual agents available 24/7), or at cash walk-in locations. Most walk-in spots are open 8am to 9pm, with some available around the clock. Good option if you want phone support or need to pay with cash in person.
ACE (America's Cash Express) is another approved vendor for trust fund deposits (service fee applies). To find the nearest location, call 1.866.734.2306 or visit www.acecashexpress.com. This works well when you want to deposit cash at a retail location rather than paying online.
JPay accepts Visa or MasterCard credit/debit cards through www.jpay.com or by phone at 1.800.574.5729. Need a cash option? JPay also takes MoneyGram deposits nationwide - use an Express Payment form with RECEIVE CODE 3570. Works well if you want to pay by card but still want the flexibility of cash deposits through MoneyGram.
TouchPay handles deposits online at www.tdcjpayment.com or by phone at 1.877.868.5358. They accept MasterCard and Visa credit/debit cards, plus MoneyPak as a cash-based option. Straightforward choice if you want simple online checkout or phone payments.
eCommDirect is TDCJ's state-run online deposit option. Head to www.texas.gov/eCommDirect, enter the offender number and name, and confirm you've got the right person before adding your deposit amount. Pay at checkout with Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. Service fees apply, so your total charge will be higher than the deposit amount.
- Make out the money order or cashier’s check correctly - it must be payable to “Inmate Trust Fund for Offender Name and Number.”
- Include a completed deposit slip - send the deposit and the completed deposit slip together.
- Mail it to the Inmate Trust Fund - Inmate Trust Fund, PO Box 60, Huntsville, TX 77342-0060.
Mailing a money order or cashier's check makes sense if you don't have a bank card, want to skip vendor fees, or prefer paper records. Just make sure the payee line matches TDCJ's required wording and include the completed deposit slip when mailing to the Huntsville PO Box listed above. Need speed or convenience? Electronic options are faster. eCommDirect takes Visa, MasterCard, or Discover online. Vendors like Access Corrections, JPay, and TouchPay add flexibility with phone and card payments. Working with cash? Access Corrections, ACE, and JPay (through MoneyGram) are easier than mailing a payment.
Checks Before Send
- ✓ Include the sender’s name and address with the deposit.
- ✓ If you’re mailing a money order or cashier’s check, make it payable to “Inmate Trust Fund for Offender Name and Number.”
Important: Don't send money to offenders you don't know or as a favor for someone else. If anyone pressures you for money, report extortion to the unit warden or the Office of Inspector General. Never send cash, stamps, or personal items to the unit or the Inmate Trust Fund. Funds in the Inmate Trust Fund don't earn interest.
If you have questions about deposits, contact the Inmate Trust Fund at 936.438.8990.
- ✓ Access Corrections (phone): 1.866.345.1884
- ✓ ACE (phone): 1.866.734.2306
- ✓ ACE (website): www.acecashexpress.com
- ✓ JPay (website): www.jpay.com
- ✓ JPay (phone): 1.800.574.5729
- ✓ TouchPay (website): www.tdcjpayment.com
- ✓ TouchPay (phone): 1.877.868.5358
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