Sending Money to Someone at Joe Ney State Jail: Who Can Deposit and What to Expect

TDCJ limits who can add money to an inmate's trust fund account. As of September 1, 2020, only people on the inmate's approved visitor list or Inmate Telephone List are allowed to make deposits. Before you send anything, confirm you're on one of those lists. If you're not, the deposit can be rejected. Worse, you could end up chasing a payment that never posts to your loved one's account.

You can fund an inmate trust account a few different ways: mailed deposits (money orders or cashier's checks) or electronic deposits through TDCJ-approved services. If you're mailing a money order or cashier's check, include the required deposit slip. That slip has to come from the inmate, so ask them to send you one before you mail anything. Missing paperwork is one of the easiest ways for a deposit to get delayed or credited to the wrong account.

If you're sending a larger amount, plan ahead. Any single deposit of $500.00 or more is held for 14 days before the inmate can access the funds. That same 14-day hold can also apply to certain disbursement checks, including insurance, company, payroll, and estate checks (and similar disbursements). During the hold period, the money may show as received, but your loved one won't be able to use it for commissary or other purchases right away.

Practical Tips

• ✓ Confirm you’re eligible to deposit by making sure you’re on the inmate’s approved visitor list or on their Inmate Telephone List (this has been required since September 1, 2020).
• ✓ If you’re mailing a money order or cashier’s check, get the deposit slip from the inmate first and include it with your deposit.
• ✓ If you’re sending $500 or more in a single transaction (or sending certain disbursement checks like insurance, payroll, or estate checks), expect a 14-day hold before the inmate can use the funds. Time your deposit with that delay in mind.