How to Contact an Inmate at FDC Houston (TX)

People incarcerated at FDC Houston can make phone calls, but the facility does not allow third-party or alternative call arrangements. Usually the inmate pays for calls, though sometimes the person receiving the call pays instead. All calls are monitored. A notice is posted next to each telephone letting inmates know. If the inmate needs to speak with their attorney, unmonitored calls may be allowed in certain circumstances. The details depend on the situation and the facility's procedures.

You can send money electronically through MoneyGram ExpressPayment, but the formatting has to be exact. The account number is the inmate's eight-digit register number immediately followed by their last name (for example, 12345678DOE). You'll also need to enter the company name as "Federal Bureau of Prisons," list the city and state as "Washington, DC," and use receive code 7932.

For electronic messaging, the Bureau of Prisons uses TRULINCS. The inmate must first be approved to use the system. Then, each person they want to communicate with has to give permission before messages can be exchanged. This is separate from physical mail.

Steps to Follow

• ✓ Confirm the inmate has telephone privileges at FDC Houston (privileges can have limits and conditions).
• ✓ Plan for standard calling rules: third-party or other alternative call arrangements are not allowed.
• ✓ Expect the inmate to pay for most calls, but be aware some calls may be billed to the person receiving the call.
• ✓ Assume calls are monitored. There is a posted notice by each phone advising inmates of monitoring.
• ✓ If you are an attorney (or trying to arrange attorney communication), ask the facility about the process for unmonitored attorney calls and when they are permitted.

1. Get the inmate’s register number and last name. You will need the inmate’s eight-digit register number and their last name.
2. Build the MoneyGram account number. Enter the eight-digit register number with no spaces or dashes, then immediately add the last name (example: 12345678DOE).
3. Enter the required MoneyGram details. Use Company Name: Federal Bureau of Prisons. Use City & State: Washington, DC. Use Receive Code: 7932.
4. Double-check everything before you submit. If the information is wrong, the transaction can be rejected or go to the wrong account.

• ✓ Confirm the inmate is approved to use TRULINCS.
• ✓ Be ready to give permission to communicate, since each contact must authorize communication before the inmate can message them.
• ✓ If the inmate says they cannot add you, have them check whether approval or permission is still pending on either side.

What to Verify

• ✓ Any limits or conditions placed on the inmate’s phone privileges in their current situation.
• ✓ Who pays for calls for that inmate’s account (inmate-paid versus recipient-paid situations).
• ✓ How monitoring is handled, and any exceptions that apply.
• ✓ When unmonitored attorney calls are permitted and what steps are required to arrange them.
• ✓ Call hours, calling frequency limits, and any restrictions tied to housing status (these details are not provided here and can change).

• ✓ That MoneyGram ExpressPayment is currently accepted for the inmate you are sending money to.
• ✓ The exact account number format (eight-digit register number followed immediately by last name).
• ✓ That the Company Name (Federal Bureau of Prisons), City & State (Washington, DC), and Receive Code (7932) are still the correct settings.
• ✓ Any transaction limits or daily limits that could affect your deposit.
• ✓ Any fees charged by MoneyGram for the transaction (fees are not provided here).

• ✓ Whether the inmate is approved to use TRULINCS.
• ✓ How you are expected to give permission (what information you need to provide, and where).
• ✓ Any costs, message limits, or other restrictions tied to the inmate’s account or status.
• ✓ Whether electronic messaging is currently available to that inmate.

Calling hours, account setup details, and messaging availability can change. Check directly with FDC Houston or the official Bureau of Prisons website for the latest information on inmate communications. The basics above cover what's generally known, but confirm current schedules and fees before you send money or plan around calls and messages.