Sending Mail to Someone at Terrell Unit: The Digital Mail Processing Center Address and Rules

Address your mail to the TDCJ Digital Processing Center: Texas Department of Criminal Justice Inmate's Full First and Last Name + TDCJ Number PO Box 660400 Dallas, TX 75266-0400 Double-check that you've included the person's full first and last name along with their TDCJ number. Missing or incorrect information can delay delivery - or prevent it entirely.

TDCJ switched to digital mail processing on September 6, 2023. For people at the Terrell Unit - and every other TDCJ facility - incoming mail goes to a central processing center where staff sort it, scan it, and upload it to the recipient's secure tablet.

In plain terms: your letter doesn't go straight to the unit. It arrives at the processing center first, gets sorted and scanned, then reaches the person digitally through TDCJ's authorized system. Send mail outside these channels, and it may never arrive.

Addressing Requirements

• ✓ Inmate’s full first and last name
• ✓ Inmate’s TDCJ number
• ✓ Texas Department of Criminal Justice
• ✓ PO Box 660400
• ✓ Dallas, TX 75266-0400

Getting the address right matters - but so does using the right channel. TDCJ requires mail to come through authorized routes, so the Digital Processing Center address is just as important as the name and number on the envelope.

Even with the correct address, general correspondence gets inspected. TDCJ can reject mail that violates its rules, so keep your letters straightforward - focus on support, updates, and everyday life.

• ✓ The letter is sent outside authorized channels (not through the Digital Processing Center or another TDCJ-authorized method)
• ✓ The content violates TDCJ correspondence rules and is rejected after inspection
• ✓ The envelope is missing the inmate’s full first and last name or TDCJ number

1. Double-check what you wrote and how you sent it - Confirm you used the Digital Processing Center address and included the inmate’s full name and TDCJ number.
2. Assume it was inspected like all general correspondence - If it was rejected, the reason is usually tied to TDCJ correspondence rules or an unauthorized delivery method.
3. Ask for the specific reason and next steps - If you need clarification, contact unit staff and request details on what was rejected and what you should change before you resend.

Some mail gets handled differently under TDCJ's digital system. Legal mail and certain special categories (like publisher materials) have their own rules. If you're sending something other than a standard personal letter, check with unit staff first. They can tell you where to mail it and how to label it so it's routed correctly.