Mailing Letters to Someone at Formby State Jail: Exactly What to Write on the Envelope
Get the envelope wrong, and your letter could be delayed—or never arrive. Here's exactly how to address mail to someone at Formby State Jail.
On the front of your envelope, write the incarcerated person's full name, their TDCJ number, and the unit address. For Formby State Jail, always use the official unit address from TDCJ - don't guess or copy from an old letter. Unit addresses can change, and the official list is your safest bet.
Here's the format to follow (fill in the brackets with the correct details): Inmate Full Name, TDCJ #________ Formby State Jail [Official unit mailing address from the TDCJ unit address list]
Want to send reading material? The rule is strict. Newspapers, magazines, and books can only be mailed to Formby State Jail if they come directly from a publisher, bookstore, or online bookseller. You can't buy a book, write a note inside, and mail it yourself - that doesn't meet the "direct from seller" requirement.
Heads up: Even when a book or magazine is shipped from an approved source, it’s still subject to review and can be rejected under the correspondence rules.
Important: Individuals may not mail packages to inmates at Formby State Jail.
- ✓ Food
- ✓ Clothing
- ✓ Jewelry
- ✓ Toiletries
- ✓ Any item other than books, magazines, and newspapers
These restrictions exist for safety and contraband control. The practical takeaway? Stick to letters. If you're sending publications, use an approved seller that ships directly. Anything outside the allowed categories - food, clothing, jewelry, toiletries - may not be accepted.
One thing to know: publisher shipments are often handled differently than regular mail. If you're sending books or magazines, follow the "direct from publisher/seller" rule and use the unit's official address.
Checklist Before Sending
- ✓ Confirm the inmate’s full name and TDCJ number before you address anything.
- ✓ Look up Formby State Jail’s unit mailing address on the official TDCJ unit address list (don’t guess).
- ✓ Put the full name, TDCJ number, and unit address on the envelope.
- ✓ If you’re sending books, magazines, or newspapers, order them from the publisher, publication supplier, bookstore, or online bookseller so they ship directly.
- ✓ Don’t mail food, clothing, jewelry, toiletries, or other items.
- ✓ Don’t try to mail a “package” of items to the inmate.
Quick recap: Address letters with the inmate's full name, TDCJ number, and official unit address. Don't mail packages or extra items. Send books, magazines, and newspapers only from approved sellers - and know that even those can be reviewed and rejected.
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