James W. Allred Unit, Iowa Park

Visiting at the James W. Allred Unit is a privilege—visits can be restricted or canceled for rule violations, lockdowns, or security incidents. You'll need to create your own TDCJ Online Visitation Scheduler account (staff can't do it for you), verify your email with the 7-digit code, and complete the Background Questionnaire before your account goes active. When building your profile, enter phone numbers as XXX XXX XXXX (no dashes). Each inmate's official Visitors List can include up to 10 people. Hours are normally Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Inmates generally get one visit per visiting cycle, and those classified G1, J1, or J2 can have one contact visit per week. TDCJ also offers Video/Tablet visitation, which is separate from the Securus Video program.

James W. Allred Unit receives incoming mail through TDCJ's digital mail platform: mail is sorted, scanned, and uploaded to inmate tablets (effective September 6, 2023). Want to become an approved sender for deposits or commissary purchases? The inmate needs to add you to their Approved Visitation List, or you can register your phone with Securus for the Approved Phone List. For victim services and offender-notification signups, use the IVSS portal at https://ivss.tdcj.texas.gov/. Texas units commonly offer phone access, video visits, electronic messaging, and tablet services through the Inmate Technology program and outside vendors. Features vary by unit, so check the facility page before paying for services or credits.

Send personal mail to the TDCJ Digital Mail Processing Center (PO Box 660400, Dallas) and include the inmate's full name and TDCJ number on every piece. Texas uses a centralized digital mail process—most letters are screened, scanned, and delivered electronically (often through secure tablets) rather than handed over as original paper. Some items go directly to the Allred Unit instead: legal mail, media mail, and books, magazines, or packages from verified publishers. Always include your full return address, follow paper-size and page-limit rules, and avoid prohibited items like cash, loose stamps, or anything considered contraband. Legal mail is handled separately at the unit under a different inspection process.

At the James W. Allred Unit, not just anyone can send money. Only people on the inmate's Approved Visitation List or Inmate Telephone List can deposit funds—so the inmate needs to add you, or you'll need your phone registered through Securus. Don't send cash or personal checks for trust fund deposits; they aren't accepted and will be returned. Mailing a money order or cashier's check? Include the deposit slip the inmate provides. For online commissary and packages, eCommDirect is the only acceptable program. Quarterly spending limits apply: $70 for Jan–Mar, Apr–Jun, and Jul–Sep; $95 for Oct–Dec. There's also a one-purchase-per-inmate-per-day rule. Service fees may apply, and the Inmate Trust Fund office handles account details and receipts.