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Inmate Information Details

SID Number:    08218432

TDCJ Number:    02379354

Name:    COZEAN,HARRIETT
Race:    W
Gender:    F
Age:    40
Maximum Sentence Date:    NOT AVAILABLE
Current Facility:    PLANE JAIL
Projected Release Date:    2022-09-23
Parole Eligibility Date:    NOT AVAILABLE
Inmate Visitation Eligible:    YES

Information provided is updated once daily during weekdays and multiple times per day on visitation days. Because this information is subject to change, family members and friends are encouraged to call the unit prior to traveling for a visit.

Offense History:

Offense DateOffenseSentence DateCountyCase No.Sentence (YY-MM-DD)
2019-09-17 | THEFT <$2500 2/MORE PREV CONVS | 2021-12-15 | HARRIS | 164660601010 | 300 Days
2017-06-30 | POSS CS PG1<1G | 2021-12-15 | HARRIS | 155715701010 | 300 Days

For questions and comments, you may contact the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, at (936) 295-6371 or webadmin@tdcj.texas.gov.

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JPAY IS THE QUICKEST/EASIEST WAY TO MESSAGE HER 

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JPAY IS THE QUICKEST/EASIEST WAY TO MESSAGE HER 

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Offenders can now receive incoming eMessages.

To register, please contact JPAY at 1-866-333-5729 or www.jpay.com on the web.

Only incoming mail is available.

The offender is not allowed to return the e-mail.

Friends and family members must purchase electronic stamps on-line from www.jpay.com (the price of a US postage stamp).

The message to the offender is completed on-line and sent to the JPAY facility interface.

TDCJ unit mailroom staff download and review incoming messages, and upon approval, the messages are printed and delivered to the offender.

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Sending to Inmates in Texas

All correspondence with the exception of legal mail may be opened and inspected for contraband.  Inmates are not allowed to send mail to other offenders unless they are an immediate family member and have the permission of the warden.

In addition to letters, inmates can receive 4"x6" photos.

Polaroid photos are not allowed as they present a security issue.

No photos may contain nudity, sexually suggestive material, or depict any relation to gang activities (including tattoos and hand gestures).

Offenders are also permitted to receive some stationary items sent directly from a legitimate vendor/stationary supplier.

Contact the facility directly as items will vary from facility to facility.

All mail you send to an inmate in Texas should include
the offender's full name,
their Texas Department of Criminal Justice Number (TDCJ) and the unit's address.

You should format the address in the following manner:

Inmate Name, TDCJ Number
Facility/Unit Name
PO Box or Street address
City, State, Zip Code

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before you can make an order for her or deposit money into her commissary account you MUST READ THIS 

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before you can make an order for her or deposit money into her commissary account you MUST READ THIS 

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Official TDCJ Commissary & Trust Fund Deposit | Texas.gov

IMPORTANT MESSAGES:

To purchase on eCommDirect or make a deposit for an offender, you must be on the offender’s Approved Visitor or Offender Telephone List.

For more information on how to become an Approved Visitor or Approved Caller please review and follow the links below.

Offenders are responsible for adding loved ones to their Visitation List.

If you are unsure if you are on an approved list, you may contact the unit for verification. Visit https://tdcj.texas.gov/unit_directory for the Unit Directory.

Before you can receive calls from a TDCJ offender, you must first register your telephone number.

Note: You will need the offender's TDCJ ID Number to register to receive phone calls from him or her. If you do not know their number you can find it through the online offender search at https://offender.tdcj.texas.gov/OffenderSearch/start or by phone at (936) 295-6371 or (800) 535-0283.

The phones are answered from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.

For questions about Offender Telephone registration, please call (866) 806-7804.

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Homepage

The TDCJ eCommDirect store is closed for maintenance.

The store is closed each night from 8:00 PM to 4 AM.
We apologize for the inconvenience.

La tienda eCommDirect del TDCJ está cerrada por mantenimiento.

La tienda está cerrada todas las noches desde las 8:00 PM hasta las 4 AM.
Lamentamos los inconvenientes causados.

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TDCJ GUIDELINES FOR:TX PRISONERS & THEIR FAMILIES

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TDCJ GUIDELINES FOR:TX PRISONERS & THEIR FAMILIES

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TDCJ GUIDELINES FOR: TX PRISONERS & THEIR FAMILIES

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DOWNLOAD PDF - TDCJ GUIDE FOR FAMILIES OF INMATES 

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DOWNLOAD PDF - TDCJ GUIDE FOR FAMILIES OF INMATES 

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CLICK LINK TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF / BOOK / GUIDE ..VERY HELPFUL!
General Information Guide for Families of Offenders (texas.gov)

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TELEPHONE SYSTEM:

TELEPHONE SYSTEM (brokenchains.us)

The Offender Telephone System (OTS)
allows eligible offenders to make telephone calls to individuals listed on the offender’s visitor list.
Offenders with major disciplinary problems, gang affiliations or on death row do not have access to the pay telephone system.
Before you can receive calls from a TDCJ offender, you must first register your telephone number.
To register, contact the telephone vendor at 1-866-806-7804 or through the vendor’s website at
http://texasprisonphone.com.
To register you will be required to confirm that you are the registered owner of the telephone number, are not registering a wireless number and will not forward or make three (3)-way calls received from the offender. You must also be at least 18 years old and agree to allow the offender to call.
The following rules apply to the OTS:
♦ Calls are limited in length and total minutes per month.
♦ All calls, except to the Attorney of Record, are recorded and subject to monitoring.
♦ Calls may only be made to landline telephone numbers; no calls are allowed to cell or Internet telephone service or international numbers.
♦ To receive calls, the telephone number owner must be listed on the offender’s visitor list; the visitor list name must match the name on the registrant’s driver’s license or state identification card and the telephone bill listing.
For more information, including complaints,
pertaining to the e-Messaging Service or
the Offender Telephone System,
please contact the following, in writing:
TDCJ – Information Technology Division
Offender Telephone System Contract Manager
P.O. Box 4016
Huntsville, TX 77342-4016
Email: offenderphones@tdcj.state.tx.us
Offenders who are not eligible for the OTS due to custody level shall be authorized access to state-owned telephones designated by the warden, if the offenders have not been found guilty of any major disciplinary violations within the last 90 days (30 days for state jail offenders) and are engaged in full-time work, school or treatment programs.
Offenders whose medical condition precludes work and who meet all other requirements shall be eligible to participate.
To request a telephone call,
offenders shall submit an I-60,
“Inmate Request to an Official” form
for approval by the warden.

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allows eligible offenders to make telephone calls to individuals listed on the offenders visitor list.
Offenders with major disciplinary problems, gang affiliations or on death row do not have access to the pay telephone system.

Before you can receive calls from a TDCJ offender, you must first register your telephone number.

To register, contact the telephone vendor at 1-866-806-7804 or through the vendors website at
http://texasprisonphone.com.

To register you will be required to confirm that you are the registered owner of the telephone number, are not registering a wireless number and will not forward or make three (3)-way calls received from the offender. You must also be at least 18 years old and agree to allow the offender to call.

The following rules apply to the OTS:
♦ Calls are limited in length and total minutes per month.
♦ All calls, except to the Attorney of Record, are recorded and subject to monitoring.
♦ Calls may only be made to landline telephone numbers; no calls are allowed to cell or Internet telephone service or international numbers.
♦ To receive calls, the telephone number owner must be listed on the offenders visitor list; the visitor list name must match the name on the registrants drivers license or state identification card and the telephone bill listing.

For more information, including complaints,
pertaining to the e-Messaging Service or
the Offender Telephone System,
please contact the following, in writing:
TDCJ Information Technology Division
Offender Telephone System Contract Manager
P.O. Box 4016
Huntsville, TX 77342-4016
Email: offenderphones@tdcj.state.tx.us

Offenders who are not eligible for the OTS due to custody level shall be authorized access to state-owned telephones designated by the warden, if the offenders have not been found guilty of any major disciplinary violations within the last 90 days (30 days for state jail offenders) and are engaged in full-time work, school or treatment programs.

Offenders whose medical condition precludes work and who meet all other requirements shall be eligible to participate.

To request a telephone call,
offenders shall submit an I-60,
Inmate Request to an Official form
for approval by the warden.

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allows eligible offenders to make telephone calls to individuals listed on the offenders visitor list.Offenders with major disciplinary problems, gang affiliations or on death row do not have access to the pay telephone system. Before you can receive calls from a TDCJ offender, you must first register your telephone number.

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TDCJ News - Visitation to Resume (texas.gov)

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Online Visitation Portal Registration Open

Start Now! Soon In-person visitation appointment times will be able to be scheduled online! TDCJ has created an Online Visitation Portal to make it easier and faster to schedule visitation appointments with your loved ones.

The first step is creating a profile on this system so you will be ready to schedule visits when it opens for September visits.

Starting TODAY, Monday, August 16, 2021, family members can create a profile on the new Online Visitation Portal that will assist in appointment scheduling efforts moving forward.

Visit https://visitation.tdcj.texas.gov/Visitation/ to create your profile!

Online Visitation Portal Instructions

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Start Now! Soon In-person visitation appointment times will be able to be scheduled online! TDCJ has created an Online Visitation Portal to make it easier and faster to schedule visitation appointments with your loved ones. The first step is creating a profile on this system so you will be ready to schedule visits when it opens for September visits.

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eCommDirect - inmate Commissary Purchases

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eCommDirect - inmate Commissary Purchases

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Frequently Asked Questions

eCommDirect - inmate Commissary Purchases

Please Note:
**Effective September 1st, 2020**
Effective September 1 st 2020, to purchase on eCommDirect or make a deposit for an inmate, you must be on the inmate’s Approved Visitor or inmate Telephone List.

The TDCJ Commissary and Trust Fund Department utilizes an online program where friends and family may make purchases for eligible inmates up to the maximum quarterly spend.

Inmate spends are based on the following months:

January – March up to $60.00

April – June up to $60.00

July – September up to $60.00 and

October – December up to $85.00 (Holiday Spend)

Up to 100 of the top selling items are available for purchase including snacks, hygiene products, correspondence supplies as well as some new packaged items.

The online amount purchased will not affect the amount that inmates may spend on commissary items from funds deposited in their inmate trust fund account.

In addition to inmates on commissary restriction, inmates in General Population and State Jail levels 4 and 5, Administrative Segregation levels 2, 3 and transition, Death Row levels 2 and 3 and certain medical conditions are not eligible to receive commissary purchases through this program. (See question 5 under Frequently Asked Questions for full eligibility requirements.)

Preview: eCommDirect's Top Selling Items

Order:

https://tdcj-ecommdirect.portal.texas.gov/

Friends and family can choose to make an online merchandise purchase or an online deposit to an inmate’s inmate trust fund account or both. The online merchandise purchase will be delivered to the inmate within five business days after TDCJ receives the purchase transaction details from Texas.gov.

Please note that unit security or staffing issues can override this timeframe. The online deposit to an inmate’s inmate trust fund account will be transferred to the inmate’s inmate trust fund account on the second business day from the day of deposit. online purchases are subject to substitution, if the item is unavailable at the time of distribution.

The online purchase program is available for all eligible inmates. Commissary staff does NOT determine or control eligibility. An inmate may submit an I-60 for eCommDirect eligibility status and may choose to disclose this information to you. Friends and family may contact the TDCJ eCommDirect department at 936-437-4726 or e-mail ecommdirect@tdcj.texas.gov with any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I place an eCommDirect order?

1. Answer:

You can place your eCommDirect order at www.texas.gov/eCommDirect

You must complete the following for each order:

Enter the inmate's number and the inmate's last name;

Add items and/or deposits to shopping cart;

Checkout, paying with your Visa, Discover or MasterCard; and,

Print your confirmation receipt.

2. Will I receive confirmation that the items purchased were delivered?

1. Answer: No, we will deliver the items within five business days after TDCJ receives the order. Please note that unit security or staffing issues can override this timeframe.

3. How can I tell if my package has been delivered to the inmate?

1. Answer: The inmate will receive his/her items within five business days after TDCJ receives the order. Please note that unit security or staffing issues can override this timeframe.

You may contact the inmate to verify that they received their items, or

You may contact the TDCJ eCommDirect department at 936-437-4726 or email ecommdirect@tdcj.texas.gov after five business days.

4. May a newly received inmate receive purchases?

1. Answer: No, newly received inmates will not be eligible for purchases until the next calendar quarter.

5. What criteria are used to determine eligibility to receive purchases?

The inmate's custody level (General Population and State Jail Levels 4 and 5, Administrative Segregation levels 2, 3 and transition, Death Row levels 2 and 3 and certain medical conditions are not eligible.)

The inmate must not be on commissary restriction. (Inmates on commissary restriction are not eligible.)

If the inmate is newly received, the inmate will not be eligible until the next calendar quarter after the inmate's entry. (For example, if the inmate entered the TDCJ on December 2nd, the inmate will be eligible for purchases beginning the next calendar quarter, which starts in January.)

Whether or not the inmate is housed at a location that has a TDCJ commissary located on the unit.

If a unit is on full or partial lockdown status, inmates are confined to their cells as a security measure to ensure ongoing safety and cannot receive purchases. In addition, the lockdown status must be officially lifted through administration before the unit is considered off lockdown status. The entire unit must be off lockdown before the official lift will begin and inmates can receive purchases.

NOTE: Only one purchase per inmate may be completed per day. (If a friend or family member has locked the inmate out of the system by not exiting the store website correctly, the account will reset on the next business day.)

6. When I am shopping and hit the "Back" button, why am I locked out of the system?

1. Answer: Due to security, the system will block you from returning to the website until the next day.

7. Will the eCommDirect purchase amount affect what the inmate may spend in the commissary?

1. Answer: No, the eCommDirect purchase is in addition to what the inmate can spend in the commissary.

8. Is the limit $60 per purchase or $60 per quarter?

1. Answer: The maximum spend for an eligible inmate is per quarter and is based on the following months:

January – March up to $60.00;

April – June up to $60.00;

July – September up to $60.00; and

October – December up to $85.00 (Holiday Spend)

Multiple purchases may be made for the inmate throughout the quarter but there will be a $3.75 fee assessed for each transaction.

9. May I place an order over the phone?

1. Answer: No, the order must be placed via the Internet.

10. Will I be charged a fee for making a purchase or deposit?

1. Answer: Yes, the fee to make a purchase is $3.75 and the fee to make a deposit is $2.50 plus 2.25% of the deposit. The fee to make a deposit and a purchase at the same time is $3.75 plus 2.25% of the deposit.

11. Why does the system time me out?

Answer: There is a 30 minute time limit on this website. Once you have been timed out of the store, you will not be able to go back in and make a purchase until the next business day.

12. Do I have to make a purchase and a deposit at the same time?

Answer: No, you have three options:

make a purchase,

make a deposit, or

make a purchase and a deposit

13. If I have questions while making a deposit or purchase, who can I contact?

1. Answer: You may contact the TDCJ eCommDirect department at (936) 437-4726 or e-mail ecommdirect@tdcj.texas.gov.

14. Can I make a purchase using any online package program?

1. Answer: No. eCommDirect is the only acceptable package program for TDCJ inmates.

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Announcement:

Effective October 1, 2021, the number of inmate visits permitted will return to pre-COVID policy.

The visitation schedule will remain Monday, Wednesday, Friday (1:00 PM - 5:30 PM), and Saturday, Sunday (8:00 AM - 5:30 PM).

The online visitation scheduling system is open and accessible at the following link: https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/news/online_visitation_portal_registration_open.html.

The following rules are applicable to visiting:

Units that are less than 70% vaccinated will continue to require masks for both the inmate and visitor and contact visitation tables will remain socially distanced.

Units that are at or above 70% vaccinated will not require masks; however, masks are encouraged. Visitation areas will be operated at full capacity.

Visitors and volunteers are required to take a rapid test prior to entering any TDCJ unit.

Inmates must be vaccinated for a contact visit; family and friends are not required to be vaccinated. Special visits are not permitted at this time. Vending machines are now open and accessible to visitors, with staff assistance.

Tablet and video visitation remain available and are encouraged.
Use the following link to find out which options are available at each unit. https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/news/remote_video_visitation.html.

Tablet Visitation

Inmates are allowed one, 60-minute visit per month (in addition to contact/non-contact visitation, where applicable).

Tablet visits can be scheduled through the portal at no cost.

Video Visitation

Inmates are allowed one, 60-minute visit per month (in addition to contact/non-contact visitation).

Video visitation must register through the Securus website and will cost $10.00 (where applicable).

Tablet and video visits do not count against the number of in-person visits.

For more information on inmate visitation, please visit our Inmate Visitation page at https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/visitation/index.html.

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Mail:

The families and friends of offenders are encouraged to write often.

Letters sent to offenders should include:
The Offender’s Name, TDCJ Number and
Unit Address on the Envelope.

All mail addressed to offenders must be received through authorized channels.
Letters for different offenders should not be included in the same envelope.
Offenders are not allowed to correspond with other offenders without meeting specific criteria stated in Board Policy 03.91 – Uniform Offender Correspondence Rules (Section I.B.1).

There is no limit on the number of persons with whom an offender may write.

Mail is forwarded to offenders who transfer from one unit to another within TDCJ.
Letters will be forwarded to offenders who are released from prison, if the offender provides a forwarding address at his last unit of assignment.

Unauthorized materials or contraband found in mail addressed to offenders will be rejected.

Newspapers, magazines and books may be mailed directly to offenders only by the publisher, publication supplier or bookstore; subject to review and rejection in accordance with the correspondence rules.

Offenders may receive reference books and other educational materials from volunteer organizations that operate the following types of programs: literacy and education, life skills, job skills, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, support groups, arts and crafts and any other programs designed to aid offenders in the transition between confinement and society.

Stationery (defined as white, undecorated paper, not to exceed the size of 8½” x 11”, or unstamped white envelopes, including carbon paper and white envelopes with the offender’s commitment name and TDCJ number preprinted in the return address portion of the envelope, but excluding any paper with names, addresses or letterhead and excluding tablets or writing pads with stapled binding) may be mailed to offenders only from legitimate vendors or suppliers of stationery.

Items such as food, clothing, jewelry and toiletries may not be mailed to offenders.
Individuals may not mail packages to offenders.

Additional information is available on the agency web site at
www.tdcj.state.tx.us.

Inmate Mail Correspondence:
Due to national concerns related to mail, incoming correspondence that is intended for offenders, which contains powder or any granular substance will not be delivered to the offender.

Please do not place substances in or on correspondence that is mailed to an offender in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice; the offender will not receive such mail.

NOTE:
^-TDCJ policies strictly prohibit Texas Prisoners from E-mail and Internet access.
^-At All Texas Prison Units, there is no mail delivery on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.
^-Texas Prisoners are not allowed to correspond via mail with other Prisoners,
including Prisoners from other states unless they are related.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
TEXAS BOARD OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE
APPROVES CHANGES TO
INMATE CORRESPONDENCE POLICIES(AUSTIN) -- The Texas Board of Criminal Justice today approved
changes to policies related to inmate correspondence.Effective June 1, 2004, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) will begin operating under new procedures for both incoming and outgoing inmate correspondence. All changes in policy are consistent with the national standards outlined by the American Correctional Association. The following is a general overview of the changes approved by the board at its regularly scheduled meeting in Austin.General Rules and Instructions Regarding Correspondence:·
Offenders are limited to putting their commitment name, TDCJ number, unit name, and current address on each outgoing item to prevent the disguise of the location from which their mail is being sent. Offenders may also place their legal name in the return address if it is different from their commitment name.· Offenders may not draw pictures or write messages on the outside of their envelopes.· Mailroom staff shall refuse to mail any item they reasonably believe will be deemed unmailable by the United States Postal Service.· Victims are now specifically mentioned as restricted correspondents for inmates (victims are defined by the Texas Penal Code, Section 38.111).Rules and Instructions Regarding Special and Media Correspondence:· Outgoing special or media correspondence will be opened in cases where there have been known problems ("special correspondence" is defined as any official of any federal, state or local law enforcement agency, including offices of inspector general). The intent is to prohibit offenders from sending correspondence that seeks to threaten, harass or intimidate in any way (including anthrax hoaxes).·

Incoming special, legal and media correspondence will be searched for contraband and only in the presence of the offender.Rules and Instructions Regarding the Handling of Offender Correspondence:· Offender mail must be processed within 24 hours and packages within 48 hours. Weekends and holidays recognized by the U.S. Postal Service are not included in this time calculation.·
All sexually explicit images contained in publications or in offender mail will be considered contraband and prohibited.o Sexually explicit is defined as "material that shows the frontal nudity of either gender, including the exposed female breast(s) with nipple(s) or areola(s), or the genitalia or anus of either gender. The chests of infants and pre-pubescent children are not considered breasts." This definition is consistent with the one used by most states in the 9th Circuit that has withstood challenges, and with the policy used by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.o This prohibition will be effective one year from the date of the approval of the Board Policy, giving offenders enough time to allow current publication subscriptions to expire, to terminate such subscriptions and to appropriately dispose of sexually explicit images already in their possession.o Publications constituting educational, medical, scientific, or artistic materials, including but not limited to, anatomy medical reference books, general practitioner reference books and/or guides, National Geographic, or artistic reference material depicting historical, modern and/or post modern art era, may be permitted on a case-by-case basis.o The intent of the new policy on sexually explicit materials is to encourage a rehabilitative environment for offenders and to discourage sexual harassment of staff.Statistical Information Relating to Inmate Correspondence:· All incoming general correspondence to the units is subject to search for content and contraband. These searches are done outside the presence of the offender. Prohibited items are confiscated at this point, and the offender receives a denial form for that portion of his correspondence he does not receive.· Between March 1, 2003 and August 31, 2003, there were 9,787,751 pieces of outgoing correspondence and 9,989,414 pieces of incoming correspondence at all 105 TDCJ units (these figures do not include packages, books, newspapers, publications or free printed material).· Between March 1, 2003 and August 31, 2003, the central mailroom office in Huntsville (also known as the Mail System Coordinators Panel), reviewed 2,231 publications to determine whether offenders should be permitted to receive them under agency rules. There are more than 10,000 publications which offenders are automatically permitted to receive, without review from the central office.· TDCJ has a total of 537 positions statewide that are dedicated to the mailrooms. This figure does not include private facility staff or the central office staff, which has 13 staff members.Quotes from TDCJ Executive Director Gary Johnson:· "We believe these changes to the correspondence rules strike an appropriate balance between an offender's privilege to correspond with the outside world and our need to keep inappropriate mail from entering or leaving our units."· "We strive for a more positive and safer environment for both staff and offenders. We believe the elimination of sexually explicit material helps us move in that direction."

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TDCJ GUIDELINES FOR: TX PRISONERS & THEIR FAMILIES

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Texas Department of Criminal Justice

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Official site of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

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Some things you should never do when sending a letter, as it will result in the letter being rejected:

Don't use staples or paper clips

Never use marker, crayon, glitter, glue, stickers or lipstick on the letter or envelope

Don't use perfume or any other fragrance

Any drawings or markings that can be misconstrued as secret code etc. will result in refusal

Never write anything in the letters that you wouldn't want a third party to read (all mail is inspected and read by staff)

If your letter is refused/returned you can contact the facility and ask why, but usually it will have a simple explanation provided.

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Some important things to remember when sending photos:

Photos should be no larger than 4"x6"

Always print the inmates name and ID number on the back of the photo in pen (this helps the mail room staff)

Photos should never contain nudity, sexually suggestive material

Hand gestures and tattoos are often not allowed because it may have gang implications

Only 5 photos can be sent in an envelope with a single stamp at a time, and often times a facility will only allow 3-5 photos

Remember staff and other inmates will be seeing these

I find the best way to send photos to an inmate is to print them through Walgreens or a similar online service, often for under 10¢ per photo (always search for online coupons to save).  You can upload the photos online and then go pick them up, put them in an envelope and mail them or just have them mailed directly to the inmate through the Walgreens website (mailing them directly has some drawbacks).​

If there is one thing an inmate loves more than getting a letter in the mail, it's getting photos.  Photos are great to receive when your incarcerated for many reasons.  First, most facilities let you hold on to your photos and you can put them up in your cell, keep them as a bookmark, or just carry the photo with you to give you inspiration throughout the day.  Additionally, when an inmate receives a photo it can let them see the things you have been discussing with them in letters or over the phone....the offender can see what that new car, boat, baby, pet, or vacation you took actually looks like, think of it as old fashioned Instagram.

Unfortunately, photos are another area that some online companies exploit.  These companies let you upload photos online, they print them and forward them to the inmate, meanwhile they are charging you ten times the amount it costs to just do it yourself.

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How to Send Books and Magazines to Texas Inmates

Books, magazines and newspapers are all items Texas inmate's can receive,
*as long as they are sent directly to the offender through a reputable vendor such as Amazon.com.

Books are restricted to paperback editions only, all other binding are forbidden as they present security issues.

No publications are allowed to contain nudity, incite hate, contain maps, describe how to make weapons, drugs, alcohol or have any content that could potentially put the safety or security of the institution at risk.

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Learn How To Send Books to Inmates From Amazon Without Trouble

When you want to surprise a prisoner with a gift, books are the way to go. Whether it’s a special occasion like a birthday, or you think a certain book will boost their morale and help them switch their mindset toward a more positive outlook, make books part of regular inmate mail.

As with other items mailed to prisoners, you have to follow numerous rules and regulations when sending books to inmates. To make sure the books you send reach the inmate, you should use the services of approved internet vendors like Amazon.

Important Info About Sending Books to Inmates Through Amazon

The first thing you should know about sending books to inmates is that most correctional facilities don’t allow prisoners to receive used or hardcover books. This means you will have to send books directly from the publisher or another approved vendor, such as Amazon. Check the specific requirements with the institution before purchasing and dispatching a parcel to the incarcerated person.

You should also bear in mind that most correctional facilities in the U.S. only accept books sent via the United States Postal Service (USPS). The reason is simple—convicts cannot sign for parcels.

This is where it gets tricky to use Amazon’s services. They ship packages via three delivery services:

UPS

FedEx

USPS

You cannot choose the courier, and if they don’t ship with the USPS, the facility will return the package, and the inmate won’t get the books. That’s why Amazon recommends doing the following:

1. Order books from Amazon to your home address

2. Once the books arrive, send them via USPS directly to the prison

How To Deal With the Amazon USPS Problem?

The good news is that there is a way for you to manipulate Amazon into sending your books by the USPS. The solution is quite simple—write the correctional facility’s initials as a PO number, and they will have to ship it via USPS. Make sure you check with the prison beforehand if they have a PO box.

Your order cannot be anonymous, so your Amazon parcel should include the following info:

Inmate’s full name and ID number

PO box number and facility’s initials

The destination address

The return address

The order invoice will contain the sender’s billing address.

What Happens if Your Amazon Book Package Cannot Be Delivered?

Amazon states they will grant a full refund, including all shipping charges, if the package is returned to them as ‘undeliverable’. Such parcels can’t be re-shipped—you will have to place a new order.

In case you don’t get your money back within four weeks, you will need to contact Amazon’s customer service by calling 00-1-206-922-0880.

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Sending Money to Inmates in Texas-
Inmate's in Texas have access to funds deposited into their personal commissary and trust fund.

Friends and family members can send money to an inmate in a variety of ways:

By walk in

Through the internet

By mail

Over the phone

In order to send funds you will first need to know the following:

The Inmates Full Name

The Inmates TDCJ Number

The current location of the inmate

Deposit by Walk In

Deposit money by visiting any MoneyGram or Western Union location, this includes any CVS or Walmart.

When sending the funds through MoneyGram you will need to use the receive code 3570.

When sending through Western Union you will need to use the Quick Collect form and use the following information:
Pay to: TDCJ - Inmate Trust Funds
Code City and State: TDCJ/TX
Account Number: Inmates TDCJ number and last name with no space (for example Smith12345)
Attention: Inmate's last name, first name.

Walk in deposits can be paid with a cash or debit card.

Deposit by Internet

Deposit funds to an inmate's account online through several different companies:

JPAY, TouchPay, Western Union, and eCommDirect.

Each of these companies charges a fee to send the funds, and allows you to use a debit or credit card.

Deposit Funds Over the Phone

Deposit funds to a Texas inmate's trust fund account over the phone by calling:
JPAY at 1-800-574-5729
Touchpay at 1-877-868-5358
Western Union at 1-800-325-6000
All of these companies will charge a fee for the transaction.

Deposit Funds Through the Mail

Friends and family can deposit funds through the mail.

You must first obtain a deposit slip from the inmate or by sending a self addressed stamped envelope to:
Inmate Trust Fund
PO Box 60
Huntsville, Texas 77342-0060

Once you have the deposit slip you can send a money order or cashier's check, payable to:
"Inmate Trust Fund for (inmate's name and TDCJ Number)".

Money orders can be purchased at any United States Post Office.
Send the completed money order and a completed deposit slip
Inmate Trust Fund
PO Box 60
Huntsville, Texas 77342-0060

For questions about the receipt of a deposit you made you can contact the Trust Fund Department at 936-438-8990.
*They are not allowed to give an account balance or any other information other then to verify the receipt of a deposit you made.

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Texas Inmate Phone Calls

All inmates will establish a list of telephone numbers they can call during the initial intake process.

This list can be updated periodically throughout the inmate's incarceration.
All calls, with the exception of legal calls, can be recorded and monitored.

Telephone calls are limited in length, so it is a good idea to have a list of items you want to speak with your inmate about ready for when they call.
Offenders are allowed to make outgoing calls only, and at no time can an offender receive an incoming call, or can staff relay messaged to an inmate.
If a family emergency exists such as the death of a close relative you should contact the inmate's counselor, or the facilities Chaplain.  Three way calls and call forwarding are prohibited and may result in the call terminating.

In order to receive calls you must first register your number by contacting the telephone vendor at 1-866-806-7804 or by registering through their website at texasprisonphone.com

Inmates are usually allowed to access the telephones from 7am-10pm on most days, with the exception of lock downs and other security conditions.

Calls are limited to twenty minutes in duration.

Landlines and cell phones can receive calls from an offender, pre-paid cell phones and internet phone services will not be eligible to receive inmate calls.

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https://photos.app.goo.gl/89dZ6yxuJUQUxveQ7

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you can download the inmate handbook HERE (as a PDF)

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you can download the inmate handbook HERE (as a PDF)

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pretty useful to understand the rules and see what's going on with her while she's in TDCJ
Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Offender Orientation Handbook