Sending Commissary Items to Michael Unit: eCommDirect Limits, Prices, and Basics

eCommDirect is TDCJ's (Texas Department of Criminal Justice) online commissary program for friends and family. It's the only accepted online package program for buying commissary items on behalf of someone at the Michael Unit. No other sites, just eCommDirect. So whether you're sending snacks, hygiene products, or other basics, this is where to start.

Spending through eCommDirect at the Michael Unit is capped by calendar quarter, not by month. Here's the breakdown: $70 for January through March, $70 for April through June, and $70 for July through September. The October through December quarter bumps up to $95 since it covers the holiday period. Before placing an order, figure out which quarter you're in and build your cart with that cap in mind. Most quarters are $70, but that October through December window gives you a bit more room to fit in extra essentials before the end of the year.

Check the TDCJ Commissary Price List before you order. It's the fastest way to figure out how far your quarterly limit will stretch. Packaged tuna, for example, is listed at $1.70. Add up the items you're planning to send and make sure the total stays within the quarter's cap.

• ✓ Check the TDCJ Commissary Price List for current item prices (for example, packaged tuna at $1.70)
• ✓ Add up what you want to send so you stay within the current quarter’s limit (often $70)
• ✓ If it’s October through December, plan around the higher $95 holiday limit

For the Michael Unit, stick with eCommDirect. TDCJ only accepts eCommDirect as the online package program for its units, so other "commissary package" sites won't work for someone housed there. Since purchases are tied to quarterly limits, timing matters. The caps are $70 for January through March, $70 for April through June, $70 for July through September, and $95 for October through December. If the person you're ordering for is eligible to receive eCommDirect purchases, follow the ordering instructions on the eCommDirect site and build your cart to fit the current quarter's cap.