How to send messages, photos, and packages
Staying connected with someone at Lopez Unit starts with the approved phone and messaging systems. To receive calls, register your number at texasprisonphone.com—have the inmate's TDCJ ID ready. The vendor's phone support can help if you hit registration snags. For electronic messages, use JPay at www.jpay.com. Create an account, buy the required "electronic stamps," and your message will be delivered. Video visits and tablet communication exist at some Texas units, but availability varies—Lopez Unit may not offer everything you've seen elsewhere. Check the facility page for unit-specific rules before calling, scheduling video, or sending e-messages.
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
Getting mail right the first time saves days of delay and a lot of frustration. Use the correct envelope format, follow the publication rules, and try e‑messages when you need something faster.
Register your telephone number online at texasprisonphone.com to receive calls. You may need the inmate’s TDCJ ID during sign-up. If you have trouble with registration or calls, contact the vendor’s phone support.
Send electronic messages through JPay at www.jpay.com. You’ll need to create a JPay account and purchase the required electronic stamps before sending messages.
Video visits and tablet features vary by unit. Check the Lopez Unit facility page to confirm what’s offered, and follow the vendor’s scheduling and payment steps if those services are available.
Address the envelope with the inmate’s full name, TDCJ number, and the Lopez Unit address. Before mailing, confirm the correct unit address on the agency website or in the unit guide.
Yes, but only if they’re sent directly from the publisher, publication supplier, bookstore, or an online bookseller. All publications are reviewed and can be rejected under the facility’s correspondence rules.
Often, yes—most personal mail in Texas is typically processed through a centralized digital system, and accepted pages may be scanned for delivery to inmates. Legal/privileged mail and verified publisher shipments may follow a different process and can sometimes bypass central scanning.
A long drive is hard enough without getting turned away at the door. Before heading to Lopez Unit, run through these five checks to make sure a visit is actually possible that day.
Planning a visit at the Lopez Unit? The biggest question is usually simple: will you be allowed any physical contact, and how much? Here's what TDCJ allows during contact visits—and how to avoid losing your visit over a contact-rule violation.
Getting your first visit scheduled at Lopez Unit comes down to setting up the TDCJ Online Visitation Scheduler correctly. Pay close attention to your email, phone number format, and the inmate's ID number.
