How eCommDirect Works: Buying Commissary Items for Someone at Pam Lychner
eCommDirect lets approved friends and family buy commissary items online for someone at Pam Lychner State Jail. Once you understand the quarterly spending limits, delivery timing, and who qualifies as an approved sender, the whole process becomes much easier.
eCommDirect orders follow quarterly spending limits. January through March caps out at $70. April through June? Same thing - $70. July through September holds at $70 too. The holiday quarter is different. October through December bumps the limit to $95 (Holiday Spend). If you're planning a bigger order, this is your window. These limits apply per inmate, per quarter. Already placed orders this quarter? Check your remaining balance before filling your cart - otherwise you might build an order that won't go through.
Once TDCJ receives the purchase details, expect delivery within five business days. That's the standard timeline to plan around. Sometimes it takes longer. Unit security issues or staffing shortages can push things back, so a delay doesn't necessarily mean something went wrong with your order.
One rule that catches people off guard: only one eCommDirect purchase per inmate can go through per day. Forgot something? You'll have to wait until the next day to place another order.
Just arrived at the facility? There's a waiting period. Newly received inmates can't get eCommDirect purchases until the next calendar quarter after they're received.
You need to be an approved sender before you can place an eCommDirect order. One way to qualify: have the inmate add you to their Approved Visitation List. Once you're on it, you're automatically approved to send eCommDirect orders.
Not going the visitation route? There's another option. Contact Securus and register your phone to get on the Approved Phone List. That also qualifies you as an approved sender for eCommDirect.
Checklist
- ✓ Confirm you’re an approved sender: either the inmate added you to their Approved Visitation List, or you registered your phone with Securus to be on the Approved Phone List.
- ✓ Check what quarter it is and plan your cart around the quarterly limit: Jan–Mar $70, Apr–Jun $70, Jul–Sep $70, and Oct–Dec $95 (Holiday Spend).
- ✓ Set delivery expectations: items are typically delivered within five business days after TDCJ receives the transaction details, but security or staffing issues can delay that.
- ✓ Keep the daily rule in mind: only one eCommDirect purchase per inmate per day.
- ✓ If the inmate is newly received, wait until the next calendar quarter before expecting eCommDirect purchases to be eligible.
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