James W. Allred Unit, Iowa Park

In-person visits at the James W. Allred Unit happen on weekends, Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Most eligible inmates can receive one visit per cycle. Inmates classified G1, J1, or J2 qualify for one contact visit per week. The unit also offers TDCJ Video/Tablet visits, which are separate from the Securus Video program. To schedule, you'll need to create your own TDCJ Online Visitation Scheduler account (staff cannot create it for you). Fill out the Background Questionnaire completely, verify your email using the seven-digit validation code you receive, and enter phone numbers in the format XXX XXX XXXX. Bringing an infant? You can carry up to three diapers, baby wipes, and two baby bottles (or a sippy cup) in a clear plastic bag. No electronic devices are allowed inside the secure perimeter.

Communication at the James W. Allred Unit runs through TDCJ systems and approved vendor tools. Incoming mail goes through TDCJ's digital mail platform: it's sorted, scanned, and uploaded to inmate tablets (effective September 6, 2023), so most letters arrive electronically rather than as original paper. To be approved for deposits or commissary purchases, the inmate must add you to their Approved Visitation List, or you need to register your phone with Securus for the Approved Phone List. Victims and others who want offender notifications or victim services can enroll through the TDCJ IVSS portal at https://ivss.tdcj.texas.gov/. Phone calls, video visits, messaging, and tablet features vary by unit and eligibility, so follow the vendor registration steps and the unit's rules for scheduling and payments.

At the James W. Allred Unit, only approved senders can deposit money into an inmate's trust fund account. You must be on the inmate's Approved Visitation List or registered on their telephone list through Securus. Cash and personal checks are not accepted and will be returned. When mailing a money order or cashier's check, include the inmate deposit slip (the inmate can provide this) so funds post without delay. For commissary-style items, eCommDirect is the unit's approved online package program. Purchases are limited to one per inmate per day, with quarterly spending caps: typically $70 for January to September quarters and $95 for the October to December holiday quarter.