How to deposit funds, commissary, and payment options
Adding money to an inmate trust account at the Estelle Unit starts with one key rule: you must be an approved sender. Only people on the inmate's Approved Visitor list or Approved Telephone list can make deposits. Don't mail trust fund deposits or other inmate items to the facility address—follow the centralized deposit instructions instead. Common options include approved online vendors, vendor kiosks, and mailed money orders or cashier's checks. Vendors and kiosks may charge service fees and have their own processing rules. Confirm you're approved first, then follow the chosen vendor's steps exactly. The Inmate Trust Fund office can confirm a deposit was received but won't share balances or transaction details with anyone except the inmate.
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Sending money and mail to someone at the Estelle Unit comes down to using the right channels and formatting names correctly. Here's how to deposit funds, where to send personal mail, and two common mistakes that cause delays.
Only people on the inmate’s Approved Visitor list or the inmate’s Approved Telephone list are allowed to deposit money for that inmate at the Estelle Unit.
No. Don’t send trust fund deposits or inmate personal items to the Estelle Unit facility address—use the centralized deposit or vendor instructions instead.
Use an approved online vendor, a vendor kiosk, or a mailed money order/cashier's check. Follow the deposit instructions exactly. Expect service fees and processing rules for vendor and kiosk payments. Confirm you're an approved sender before attempting to deposit.
Scheduling your first visit can feel overwhelming, but the online system is straightforward once you know the steps. Start at the right TDCJ page, create your account, add your loved one, and request approval—then you're ready to book.
Contact visits let you have limited physical contact with your loved one. Here's what that actually looks like at the Estelle Unit—and what to expect once you're in the visiting room.
A smooth visit comes down to one thing: showing up with the right ID and only the small, permitted items. Use the sections below as your pack-and-parking-lot checklist before heading to Estelle Unit.
