Where to Send Mail to Someone at James W. Allred Unit (Digital Mail vs. Direct-to-Unit)
Mailing someone at the James W. Allred Unit? Here's the key thing to know: most mail now goes through TDCJ's Digital Mail Processing Center first, where it's scanned and delivered digitally.
Since September 6, 2023, the James W. Allred Unit has been on TDCJ's digital mail platform. Personal letters no longer arrive as paper - they're sent to a central processing center, scanned, and uploaded so the person in custody can read them on their secure tablet.
For regular letters and personal correspondence, send mail to TDCJ's Digital Mail Processing Center. Include the incarcerated person's full name and TDCJ number on the envelope - this ensures it gets matched to the right account: Texas Department of Criminal Justice Inmate's Full First and Last Name + TDCJ Number PO Box 660400 Dallas, TX 75266-0400
- ✓ Write the inmate’s full first and last name (no nicknames)
- ✓ Include the TDCJ number next to the name so it’s easy to match
- ✓ Use the full processing center address: PO Box 660400, Dallas, TX 75266-0400
- ✓ Add a clear return address
- ✓ Keep any mailing receipt/tracking info you have until it’s delivered
Reminder: A wrong or missing TDCJ number can slow things down or cause mail to be returned. Double-check it before you send anything.
Certain mail still goes directly to the James W. Allred Unit, not the Digital Mail Processing Center. This includes legal mail, media mail, and items like books, magazines, packages, and subscriptions from verified publishers.
- ✓ Legal mail - handled as an exception and sent to the unit
- ✓ Media mail - sent to the unit
- ✓ Books, magazines, packages, and other subscriptions from verified publishers - sent to the unit (not the processing center)
Tip: Before you order books or subscriptions, confirm the “verified publisher” requirements and what vendors are accepted - otherwise the unit may reject the delivery.
- Confirm the person’s name and TDCJ number - you’ll need both for correct routing.
- Send general letters to the Digital Mail Processing Center - address it to:
- Texas Department of Criminal Justice
- Inmate’s Full First and Last Name + TDCJ Number
- PO Box 660400
- Dallas, TX 75266-0400
- Send exceptions directly to the unit - legal mail, media mail, and books/magazines/packages/subscriptions from verified publishers should go to the James W. Allred Unit.
- Hold onto proof of mailing - keep any receipt or tracking details you have until it’s delivered.
Heads up: Digital mail means they'll receive a scanned version, not the original paper letter. If they need the physical copy for some reason, check whether your item qualifies as an exception and send it directly to the unit.
Got a question about exceptions - legal mail, media mail, or publisher deliveries? Contact the James W. Allred Unit directly, not the processing center. For current phone numbers, check TDCJ's official unit phone list.
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