How to send messages, photos, and packages
To receive phone calls from a Johnston Unit inmate, register your number through Friends & Family enrollment and have the inmate's TDCJ ID ready. All calls are monitored and recorded—except calls to the attorney of record. Remote Securus video visits (where available) run 60 minutes, cost $10.00, and inmates are limited to one per month. E-messaging works through JPay: buy electronic stamps, messages get screened, then delivered to the inmate's tablet. Tablets also offer informational, educational, and recreational apps, though some recreational options require vendor fees or subscriptions. Having trouble with a vendor? Submit complaints through the ITS Contact Form or contact the Inmate Technology Services Contract Manager.
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
Mail rules can feel picky. But once you know where things go and what's off-limits, avoiding returns and delays gets much easier.
Sending mail to someone at the Johnston Unit? Your first decision is whether it goes through TDCJ's digital mail system or directly to the unit. Most personal mail gets routed to the TDCJ Digital Mail Processing Center, scanned, and uploaded to the inmate's secure tablet. A few exceptions must be sent straight to the unit instead.
Register your telephone number through Friends & Family enrollment and provide the inmate’s TDCJ ID number.
Yes. All inmate calls except those to the attorney of record are subject to monitoring and recording.
Remote Securus video visits cost $10.00 and last 60 minutes. Inmates are limited to one remote video visit per month.
Send personal mail to the Digital Mail Processing Center at: Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Inmate’s Full First and Last Name + TDCJ Number, PO Box 660400, Dallas, TX 75266-0400. Most personal mail sent there is scanned and uploaded to the inmate’s tablet.
No. Legal/privileged mail, media mail, and books/magazines/packages from verified publishers should be sent directly to the unit, not to the Digital Mail Processing Center.
Put the inmate’s full name, TDCJ number, and the unit address on the envelope. Unit addresses are listed on the agency website and in facility guides.
Sending money to someone at the Johnston Unit is straightforward once you know the rules. TDCJ is strict about who can deposit and what forms of payment they accept. Here's how to get it right the first time—no delays, no returned deposits.
Setting up the TDCJ Online Visitation Scheduler is straightforward, but a few small details can trip you up. Follow these steps to get your account created, verified, and ready to request visits at Johnston Unit.
Show up with the wrong items and you could lose your spot in line—or miss the visit entirely. This checklist helps you avoid that.
