How to Send Money to Someone at Lucile Plane State Jail: Accepted Methods, Approved‑Sender Rule, and Hold Times

Lucile Plane State Jail uses the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Inmate Trust Fund system for deposits. You can add money with traditional options like money orders or cashier's checks, or go electronic with a bank-account debit (ACH). Which method works best depends on your situation and how quickly you need the funds available. The key: stick to approved deposit channels so your payment doesn't get delayed or returned.

Access Corrections (Secure Deposits) is one of the most popular electronic options. It's an approved vendor for trust fund deposits and works well if mailing a money order or cashier's check isn't practical.

TDCJ accepts several other third-party deposit channels: ACE (America's Cash Express), eCommDirect through Texas.gov, JPay, and the TouchPay Payment System. When choosing between vendors, what matters most is using an approved service - and confirming you're eligible to send before submitting payment.

Before you send anything, confirm you're allowed to. Since September 1, 2020, only people on the inmate's approved visitor list or Inmate Telephone List can deposit money. If you're not on one of those lists, your deposit won't go through - even if you're using an accepted method.

1. Ask the inmate to add you to an approved list - they can work to get you placed on the approved visitor list or the Inmate Telephone List.
2. Wait until you’re confirmed before sending - once you’re on one of those lists, you can use any of the accepted deposit methods.
3. If timing matters, confirm first - if you’re trying to get funds to them quickly, confirm you’re listed before you submit a deposit.

Sending a larger amount? Plan ahead. Any single deposit of $500.00 or more is held for 14 days before the inmate can access it. The payment hasn't failed - it just won't be available right away.

The same 14-day hold applies to certain check types, regardless of amount. Insurance checks, company checks, payroll checks, estate checks, and similar disbursement checks all trigger this delay. If you're sending money from an organization or as part of a disbursement, factor that hold into your timeline.

Confirm Before Sending

• ✓ Confirm you’re on the inmate’s approved visitor list or the Inmate Telephone List before you try to deposit.
• ✓ Choose an accepted deposit method: money order or cashier’s check, ACH (monthly checking account debit), Access Corrections (Secure Deposits), ACE (America’s Cash Express), eCommDirect (Texas.gov), JPay, or TouchPay.
• ✓ Don’t send cash or a personal check - those will be returned.
• ✓ If you’re sending $500 or more in a single transaction, expect a 14‑day hold before the inmate can use the funds.
• ✓ If the payment is an insurance/company/payroll/estate check (or a similar disbursement check), expect the same 14‑day hold.

1. Have the inmate add you to the right list - deposits are limited to people on the approved visitor list or the Inmate Telephone List.
2. Match your payment to the hold rules - if you’re planning a $500+ deposit or sending a disbursement-type check (insurance, company, payroll, estate, or similar), expect a 14‑day hold before funds are available.
3. Verify before you send if you’re unsure - confirming eligibility first can save you from a rejected deposit or an unexpected delay.