BY Jason Renard Walker

In July 2023 the Texas Department Of Criminal Justice created a rule, preventing organizations, businesses and the public from sending mail directly to Texas prisoners. By September 6 2023 it would be effective on all TDCJ units.

The rationale for this policy was to curb the amount of contraband entering Texas prisons, but the most common contraband found in Texas prisons(methamphetamines, cellphones, weapons) has no logical way to be hidden in incoming mail from the public.

As a consequence: all mail, greeting cards, zines, surveys and photos from these entities had to be sent to a digital mail processing center in Dallas Texas. Where it was then read, scanned, processed and electronically sent to our securus tablets.

Not only does banning organizations and businesses from sending physical mail directly to prisoners prevent them from taking part in surveys and filing out signature required job applications and contracts. It’s completely void of the rational connection TDCJ tries to make in suggesting such mail is hugely responsible for the introduction of drugs, cell phones and contraband into the prisons.

Another huge flaw in this new policy is the monthly long delays it take for mail to be transferred to the securus tablet, after the digital mail processing center has received it. Letters from friends that was post dated September 2023 wasn’t sent to my tablet until November 2023.

UP DATE TO ALL ORGANIZATIONS AND BUSINESSES

If you belong to an established non profit group, business, religious sect engaged in bible studies through correspondence, or organizations such as PEN America, A.B.O. Comix, Prisoners Revolutionary Literature Fund, any books to prisoners centers, IWOC, etc. Your zines, surveys, leaflets etc should be sent directly to the unit the prisoner is being held.

If it’s documents from the public that require a signature, such as a will, oil and mineral rights dispute, power of attorney, etc it should be sent directly to the prisoner with the word ATTN law library written on the envelope.

Any general mail from the public such as letters,greeting cards and photos should be sent to the digital mail processing center:

Prisoners name\TDCJ number

Unit name

PO Box 660400

Dallas Tx

75266-0400

Jason Renard Walker 1532092

Powledge Unit

PO Box 660400

Dallas Tx

75266-0400

Note: Anyone wanting their photos,greeting cards, etc returned back to them must enclose a self addressed stamped envelope that covers the cost of the items being returned.