Sending Money to Someone at Goodman Unit: Who Can Deposit and How
Sending money to someone at the Goodman Unit goes through TDCJ's Inmate Trust Fund system. A couple of rules trip people up—especially around who's allowed to send and why some deposits don't show up right away.
Since September 1, 2020, TDCJ only accepts deposits from people already connected to the inmate on paper. You must be on the inmate's approved visitor list or their Inmate Telephone List. Not on either? Your deposit won't go through. Confirm your status before sending anything.
Stick to approved Trust Fund deposit options: money orders, cashier's checks, or authorized electronic methods like ACH. Don't mail cash or personal checks - both get rejected. Electronic options can speed things up, but make sure you're using an approved method and that you're an approved sender first.
No cash or personal checks: Cash and personal checks sent to the Inmate Trust Fund aren’t accepted, and they’ll be returned to the sender.
Even when your deposit is allowed and sent correctly, some payments don't become available right away. TDCJ places a 14-day hold on single-transaction deposits of $500.00 or more. The same hold applies to certain check types - insurance, company, payroll, estate, and similar disbursements - before the inmate can access the funds.
Plan for a delay on larger deposits: If you send $500+ in one transaction (or certain types of checks), the money can be held for 14 days before your loved one can use it.
Worried your deposit didn't go through? Trust Fund staff can confirm whether it was received. What they won't share is the inmate's account balance or activity - not even with the person who sent the money.
The inmate can track their account directly. TDCJ provides monthly statements listing trust fund transactions, including deposit senders and authorized payments or withdrawals.
Practical Checklist
- ✓ Confirm you’re on the inmate’s approved visitor list or Inmate Telephone List before you try to send money.
- ✓ Use an accepted deposit method (such as a money order, cashier’s check, or an authorized electronic option) and avoid cash or personal checks.
- ✓ If you’re sending $500+ in one transaction (or an insurance/company/payroll/estate-type check), expect the funds to be held for 14 days before the inmate can access them.
Find an Inmate at Goodman Unit, Tx
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
