How to deposit funds, commissary, and payment options
East Texas Treatment Facility lets you add money to an inmate's Inmate Trust Fund using a money order, cashier's check, ACH, or approved vendor options like eCommDirect and JPay. Each method has its own instructions. Since September 1, 2020, deposits are limited to senders on the inmate's Approved Visitation List or Approved Phone List. Phone-list registration is handled through Securus. Keep timing in mind: single deposits of $500 or more, plus certain company, payroll, or estate checks, are held for 14 days before the inmate can use the funds. For commissary-style merchandise, eCommDirect is the only online program for the unit, and quarterly limits apply. The eCommDirect transaction fee is $3.75, and deposit fees are $2.50 plus 2.25%. Trust Fund staff can confirm receipt, but they will not share balances or transaction history with anyone except the inmate.
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Sending money to someone at East Texas Treatment Facility isn't complicated, but a few rules can catch families off guard. Here's what you need to know about who can deposit funds, eCommDirect spending limits, and what the Trust Fund office will and won't share with you.
Trying to put money on someone's account at East Texas Treatment Facility? Here's what you need to know about approved deposit options—plus the sender restriction and hold rule that can delay when funds become available.
To put money on someone's books at East Texas Treatment Facility, you'll need to use a TDCJ-approved deposit method and be an approved sender. That approved-sender rule applies to every option listed below.
Only people on the inmate’s Approved Visitation List or Approved Phone List can deposit money. To be added as an approved phone sender, register through Securus so the inmate can place you on their Approved Phone List.
You can deposit funds by money order, cashier’s check, ACH, and approved vendor options such as eCommDirect and JPay. Use the vendor-specific instructions for the method you choose.
Yes. Deposit service fees are $2.50 plus 2.25% of the deposit, and eCommDirect charges a $3.75 fee per purchase. Single deposits of $500 or more and certain company, payroll, or estate checks are held for 14 days before the inmate can access the funds.
A little prep can save you a long drive and a denied visit. Use this checklist to confirm the basics, pack only what's allowed, and avoid the most common reasons visitors get turned away.
Since September 6, 2023, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) has routed all personal mail—including letters, greeting cards, and photos—through a digital mail platform. This applies to every unit, East Texas Treatment Facility included. Instead of delivering paper mail directly, the processing center sorts, scans, and uploads everything to the recipient's secure tablet.
TDCJ visits run on a standard two-hour clock, but your actual time together depends on when everyone checks in. Traveling a long distance? You may be able to request an extended visit, though approval isn't automatic.
