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.
Send Money at Formby State Jail
How to deposit funds, commissary, and payment options
Overview
Sending money to someone at Formby State Jail starts with one key rule: only people on the inmate's Approved Visitation List or Inmate Telephone List can make deposits (effective Sept 1, 2020). Funds go into the inmate's Texas Inmate Trust Fund (commissary) account. Authorized senders can typically deposit through approved online vendors, facility kiosks, mailed money orders or cashier's checks, or scheduled ACH deposits—depending on the method's rules. Don't send cash or personal checks. Vendors and kiosks may charge service fees and have their own processing timelines. Need to verify a deposit arrived? The Inmate Trust Fund office can confirm receipt, but won't share balances or transaction details with anyone except the inmate. Follow centralized deposit instructions exactly—don't mail funds to the facility address or include personal letters with a money order.
Find an Inmate at Formby State Jail
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
Free to search · Used by families nationwide
Quick Facts
- Only people on an inmate’s Approved Visitation List or the Inmate Telephone List may deposit money at Formby State Jail (policy effective Sept 1, 2020).
- Texas inmates have an Inmate Trust Fund (commissary) account that authorized senders can fund through approved vendors, kiosks, mailed money orders, or ACH methods.
- Do not send cash or personal checks; use accepted payment types such as money orders or cashier’s checks when mailing deposits.
- Do not send money to the inmate’s facility address or include personal letters with a money order; follow the facility’s centralized deposit instructions.
Send Money Guides
Sending E-Messages and Using Inmate Tablets at Formby State Jail
Formby State Jail is part of TDCJ's tablet rollout, but not everyone gets a tablet right away. Access depends on custody level, disciplinary history, and other eligibility factors—so the way your loved one receives messages may look different from someone else at the same unit.
Common Questions
Who can deposit money into an inmate’s account at Formby State Jail?
Only people on the inmate’s Approved Visitation List or the Inmate Telephone List are authorized to deposit money at Formby State Jail.
What payment methods can authorized senders use to add money to an inmate’s account?
Authorized senders can typically add funds through approved online vendors, facility kiosks, mailed money orders or cashier’s checks, or scheduled ACH deposits, depending on the method’s rules. Vendors and kiosks may charge service fees and have their own processing times.
Can I send cash or include a personal letter with a money order to the facility?
No. Do not send cash or personal checks. Also don’t include personal letters with a money order, and don’t send funds to the inmate’s facility address—use the centralized deposit instructions.
Other Guides for Formby State Jail
Can You Request a Longer Visit at Formby State Jail?
Yes—Formby State Jail allows longer visits in certain situations, but it's not automatic. Here's how extended and split visits work, plus what you can do to request them.
Getting Approved for Formby's Visitor List: What You Need to Know
Getting approved to visit someone at Formby State Jail comes down to two things: being on the inmate's Visitors List and bringing the right ID. Here's how the list works, what you'll need, and how to confirm you're approved before making the trip.
