Penmate Inmate Support Guides

Where to mail letters and photos now that TDCJ uses digital mail (what to send to the processing center vs. the unit)

Mailing a letter, photos, or a greeting card to someone at the Ferguson Unit? The biggest change is where you send it. Most personal mail now goes to TDCJ's Digital Mail Processing Center—but a few important categories still need to go directly to the unit.

• 2 min read • tdcj.texas.gov
Where to mail letters and photos now that TDCJ uses digital mail (what to send to the processing center vs. the unit)

TDCJ switched to a digital mail system to keep dangerous contraband out of facilities. Since September 6, 2023, personal mail, greeting cards, and photos for people at the Ferguson Unit get sent to a processing center first. There, staff scan and upload everything so the recipient can view it on a secure tablet.

Where to mail letters and photos now that TDCJ uses digital mail (what to send to the processing center vs. the unit)

For personal letters, photos, and greeting cards, mail everything to the Digital Mail Processing Center - not the Ferguson Unit. Address the envelope to Texas Department of Criminal Justice, then the inmate's full first and last name plus their TDCJ number. The mailing address is: PO Box 660400, Dallas, TX 75266-0400. Double-check the name and TDCJ number. That's how the processing center matches your mail to the right person.

  • ✓ Inmate’s full first and last name
  • ✓ Inmate’s TDCJ number
  • ✓ Your full return address
  • ✓ Mail personal letters, photos, and greeting cards to: PO Box 660400, Dallas, TX 75266-0400

Some mail skips the digital process entirely and goes straight to the Ferguson Unit. Legal mail is one. Media mail is another. Books, magazines, packages, and subscriptions also go to the unit - and they must come from verified publishers or vendors, not tucked into personal mail.

Legal mail: Send legal mail directly to the inmate’s unit (Ferguson Unit). It is not processed through the digital mail center.

Media mail: Media mail is an exception - send it to the Ferguson Unit, not to the Digital Mail Processing Center.

Books, magazines, packages, and subscriptions: These must be sent directly to the Ferguson Unit and must come from verified publishers or vendors (not as personal mail to the processing center).

Quick Tips

  • ✓ Put the inmate’s full name and TDCJ number on every piece of mail you send.
  • ✓ Use the Digital Mail Processing Center for personal letters, photos, and greeting cards (this system began September 6, 2023).
  • ✓ For exceptions like legal mail, media mail, and books/magazines/packages/subscriptions from verified publishers or vendors, send items to the Ferguson Unit.
  • ✓ If you’re not sure which category your item falls under, confirm with the unit before you mail it so it doesn’t get delayed or rejected.

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