How to Send Money to Someone at Lynaugh Unit: All Accepted Deposit Options and Important Restrictions

Money you send goes into the person's inmate trust fund account - they can use it for commissary and other approved purchases. Lynaugh Unit (TDCJ) accepts several deposit options: traditional paper payments and multiple electronic services. The key is sticking to approved methods: money orders or cashier's checks, monthly checking account debit (ACH), or one of the listed deposit vendors (Access Corrections/ACE, eCommDirect through Texas.gov, JPay, or TouchPay). Send money outside these channels and it'll likely be delayed, rejected, or returned. Decide up front which method fits your situation - paper, bank debit, or online/phone vendor - then follow that provider's instructions exactly.

• ✓ Money order or cashier’s check (inmate trust fund deposit)
• ✓ Monthly checking account debit (ACH)
• ✓ Access Corrections (Secure Deposits) / ACE – America’s Cash Express
• ✓ eCommDirect (provided by Texas.gov)
• ✓ JPay
• ✓ TouchPay Payment System

Here's a restriction that trips people up: since September 1, 2020, only senders on the inmate's approved visitor list or Inmate Telephone List can deposit money. Not on one of those lists? Your deposit can be stopped even if you're using an approved method. Confirm your status before paying any fees, buying a money order, or submitting an online transaction. If you're unsure whether you're approved, get that clarified first - then send funds.

1. Confirm you’re eligible to send - you must be on the inmate’s approved visitor list or the Inmate Telephone List.
2. If you’re not on a list, work on getting added - handle that step before you try to deposit.
3. Don’t submit a deposit until you’re approved - using an accepted vendor won’t override the approved-sender rule.

Planning to mail a payment? Don't send trust fund deposits to the inmate's facility of assignment. It might feel natural to address a money order to where they're housed, but that's not how TDCJ handles deposits. Keep the Trust Fund separate from everything else - don't send inmate personal mail or other items to the Inmate Trust Fund. Mail for the person and money for the account follow different processes. Mixing them creates delays and confusion.

Want to avoid rejected transactions? Follow this order: verify you're an approved sender first, choose one of the accepted deposit methods, then submit the payment. Lynaugh Unit deposits can be made by money order/cashier's check, monthly checking account debit (ACH), or through Access Corrections (ACE), eCommDirect (Texas.gov), JPay, or TouchPay. Once you've picked what works for you, follow that provider's instructions carefully. Keep your proof of payment until the deposit is confirmed.

1. Verify you’re an approved sender - you must be on the inmate’s approved visitor list or the Inmate Telephone List before you can deposit.
2. Pick an accepted deposit method - use money orders/cashier’s checks, monthly checking account debit (ACH), Access Corrections (ACE), eCommDirect (Texas.gov), JPay, or TouchPay.
3. Follow the method’s official instructions - each option has its own process; don’t improvise or mix steps from different services.
4. Save your receipt or confirmation - keep any tracking details from your money order/cashier’s check, bank debit paperwork, or vendor confirmation.
5. If something goes wrong, start with the method you used - when a deposit doesn’t post as expected, your first reference point is the provider you submitted through.

• ✓ I’m on the inmate’s approved visitor list or the Inmate Telephone List.
• ✓ I’m using an accepted deposit method (money order/cashier’s check, ACH, Access Corrections/ACE, eCommDirect, JPay, or TouchPay).
• ✓ I’m following the exact instructions for that method.
• ✓ I’m not mailing a trust fund deposit to the inmate’s facility of assignment.
• ✓ I saved my receipt/confirmation details.