How to Send Money to an Inmate at Formby State Jail
Sending money is straightforward once you know the approved methods—and the few details that can cause a deposit to bounce.
At Formby State Jail (TDCJ), you can only deposit money if you're an approved sender. Since September 1, 2020, that means being on the inmate's approved visitor list or telephone list. No exceptions. If you're not on one of those lists, your deposit won't go through - so confirm your status before sending anything.
Tip: Check that you're on the inmate's approved visitor list or telephone list before sending money - those are the only approved sender lists for trust fund deposits.
You can mail a deposit through the TDCJ Inmate Trust Fund. Get a deposit slip from the offender, or request one by mailing a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Inmate Trust Fund, PO Box 60, Huntsville, TX 77342-0060. Once you have the slip, mail it with your deposit to the same address.
Prefer something automatic? TDCJ offers a free monthly ACH debit from your checking account. A set amount is withdrawn around the 5th of each month and credited to the offender's trust account around the 10th. Keep that timing in mind if the inmate needs funds by a specific date.
- Complete the ACH authorization form - fill out the authorization form for the monthly debit.
- Attach a voided check - include a voided check from the checking account that will be debited.
- Mail the form and check to the ACH address - submit the completed form and voided check to Inmate Trust Fund, PO Box 629, Huntsville, Texas 77342-0629.
Info to Include
- ✓ Your name (required)
- ✓ Your address (required)
- ✓ The inmate’s identifying details as requested on the deposit slip (get the slip from the offender, or request one by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Inmate Trust Fund, PO Box 60, Huntsville, TX 77342-0060)
Need to follow up? Inmate Trust Fund staff can confirm whether your deposit was received. They won't share the inmate's balance or account activity with you - only the inmate can access that information.
Tips Avoid Delays
- ✓ Confirm you’re on the inmate’s approved visitor list or the inmate telephone list before you try to deposit money
- ✓ Make sure your name and address are included exactly as required
- ✓ Double-check the inmate identifying information on the deposit slip so the funds post to the right account
If something seems off after you send a deposit, contact the Trust Fund to ask whether it was received and processed. They can help with that. Just know they won't discuss the inmate's balance or account activity - that information stays between them and the inmate.
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