Garza East Unit

Visiting Garza East Unit starts with the TDCJ online scheduler. You'll need to create your own account—staff can't set one up for you—and registration is limited to residents of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. During signup, you'll receive a 7-digit validation code by email, answer every background-questionnaire item, enter phone numbers in XXX XXX XXXX format, and add the inmate using their 8-digit TDCJ or SID number. The scheduler lists Regular, Contact, and Video/Tablet visits (Video/Tablet isn't the same as the Securus Video program). Visits run Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Regular visits last two hours, starting when both you and the inmate are present, and eligible inmates typically get one visit per visiting cycle. Contact visits allow physical contact in a designated area or within the fenced perimeter. G1, J1, and J2 inmates may get one contact visit per week. Visitation can be temporarily restricted for security or safety reasons.

Staying in touch at Garza East Unit happens mainly through phone calls and paid video visits. Phones are generally available daily from 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., though the schedule can shift for operational reasons. Calls are limited to 30 minutes, and you'll hear a one-minute warning before the line disconnects. Keep privacy in mind: except for calls to an inmate's attorney of record, calls may be monitored and recorded. The unit also offers Securus remote video visits for $10.00 per session, lasting up to 60 minutes. Inmates are limited to one remote video visit per month. For setup steps like registering phone numbers or scheduling video visits, follow the vendor instructions and state Inmate Technology program guidance.

Garza East Unit routes incoming personal mail through the Texas Digital Mail Processing Center. Letters are received offsite, sorted, scanned, and uploaded to the inmate's secure tablet—not delivered as loose paper at the unit. To avoid delays, address your envelope with the inmate's full first and last name and TDCJ number, and include the unit name so it routes correctly. Use this mailing address: Inmate's Full First and Last Name + TDCJ Number, PO Box 660400, Dallas, TX 75266-0400. Always include your full return address. Legal or privileged mail may follow a different handling process and might not be scanned.

Sending money to someone at Garza East Unit comes with strict rules. Only people on the inmate's Approved Visitation List or Inmate Telephone List can deposit funds—if you're not on one of those lists, you can't add money. Don't mail trust fund deposits (or personal mail) to the Inmate Trust Fund at the unit. Mailed deposits aren't accepted. For commissary, approved friends and family can use eCommDirect to buy items for eligible inmates. Items marked "E" on the commissary price list are sold through the eCommDirect website. Quarterly spending caps apply: $70 for Jan–Mar, Apr–Jun, and Jul–Sep, and $95 for Oct–Dec (Holiday Spend). Fees run $3.75 per purchase, plus $2.50 and 2.25% for deposits when combined with a purchase.