From the TDCJ website:

The following rules apply to the system:

Phones are available from 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., unless conditions dictate a change. Calls are limited to 15 minutes. You will hear a warning message one minute before being disconnected. Offenders are limited to 500 minutes per month. All calls, except to the Attorney of Record, are subject to monitoring and recording. Calls may only be made to home land line telephone numbers.

Have you been wondering what is supposed to be available for purchase in the commissaries on each unit? This is a current list.

Although we do not have a current list showing commissary sales and profits, we were able to obtain one from 2009. It is very interesting reading. What do you think was the top selling item in 2009? How much profit was made from this item alone? We recently asked these questions and more on our TIFA Facebook page.

This is the latest information received from Eric Johnston, Commissary and Trust Fund, regarding "care packages".

The TDCJ Commissary and Trust Fund Department will soon initiate a direct purchase program for friends and family members to allow them to make online purchases for offenders. These purchases will be from the existing product line along with some new packaged items that will be added. Offenders can receive one direct purchase of up to $50 each calendar quarter. Offenders on commissary restriction will not be eligible to receive commissary items from a direct purchase.

The PACT Conference was held at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville on March 24, 2012 from 8am - 4pm. We would love to receive feedback from folks who attended. Email us at tifa@tifa.org and we may use your comments in the Spring Issue of the newsletter.

We seldom get the chance to be heard . . . now is one of those times. Complete the Sunset Review Survey, found on our Public Documents page. If you are having trouble with this link, the Public Documents link is at the bottom of the homepage at the end of the Navigation Menu.