How to Send Money to Someone at Middleton Unit: Methods, Approval Rules, and Holds

TDCJ's Inmate Trust Fund accepts several deposit methods for people at the Middleton Unit. For mailed payments, you can use a money order or cashier's check. Prefer electronic? Monthly Checking Account Debit (ACH) works too. TDCJ also lists several third-party options: Access Corrections (Secure Deposits), ACE (America's Cash Express), eCommDirect through Texas.gov, JPay, and the TouchPay Payment System. Each provider has its own process, so follow their instructions carefully. Double-check that you enter the incarcerated person's identifying information exactly as the system requires.

• ✓ Choose an approved deposit method: money order, cashier’s check, Monthly Checking Account Debit (ACH), or a listed vendor (Access Corrections, ACE, eCommDirect/Texas.gov, JPay, TouchPay)
• ✓ Follow the specific vendor or form instructions for the method you picked
• ✓ Double-check the incarcerated person’s identifying information before you submit the deposit

Before sending anything, make sure you're authorized to deposit funds. Since September 1, 2020, only people on the incarcerated person's approved visitor list or Inmate Telephone List can send money. Not sure if you're on either list? Confirm your status first - otherwise your deposit could be stopped.

1. Ask whether you’re on the approved visitor list - the incarcerated person can usually tell you who is approved.
2. Confirm whether you’re on the Inmate Telephone List - if you’re approved for calls, you may already qualify to send funds.
3. Verify before you pay - if there’s any doubt, confirm your sender status before you submit a deposit.

Skip the cash and personal checks. TDCJ doesn't accept either for trust fund deposits - they'll just be returned. If you need to send a paper payment, stick with a money order or cashier's check.

• ✓ Use an accepted paper option: money order or cashier’s check
• ✓ Use an accepted electronic option: Monthly Checking Account Debit (ACH) or a listed vendor (Access Corrections, ACE, eCommDirect/Texas.gov, JPay, TouchPay)
• ✓ Follow the method’s instructions exactly so your deposit doesn’t get rejected or returned

Even approved deposits don't always post immediately. Single-transaction deposits of $500.00 or more are held for 14 days before the inmate can access the funds. If you're trying to cover commissary quickly, plan around this delay.

The 14-day hold isn't just about dollar amounts. Insurance checks, company checks, payroll checks, estate checks, and similar disbursements also trigger the hold - regardless of the amount. If your funds come from one of these sources, expect the same waiting period.

Worried a payment didn't go through? Trust Fund staff can tell you whether a deposit was received. This helps when you're tracking down a missing money order or confirming a vendor payment was credited.

Don't mail trust fund deposits to the Middleton Unit itself. TDCJ specifically warns against sending deposits to the facility - anything sent that way gets returned, not processed.

Keep deposits separate from personal correspondence. TDCJ says not to include personal mail or other items with trust fund submissions. Mix them together and your deposit won't be handled correctly - it'll likely be returned.

• ✓ Don’t mail trust fund deposits to the Middleton Unit (the inmate’s facility of assignment)
• ✓ Don’t send personal mail or other items to the Inmate Trust Fund
• ✓ Use one of the approved deposit methods (money order/cashier’s check, ACH, or a listed vendor) and follow the instructions for that method