Eastham Unit
Find messaging, video, and phone options for Eastham Unit. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- State Facility
- Security Level
- Maximum
- Inmate Capacity
- 2,200 approx.
- Established
- 1917
- Operated By
- Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)
Eastham Unit Inmate Communication Overview
The Eastham Unit is a maximum-security state prison operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, located in Houston County in East Texas near the small town of Lovelady, roughly 120 miles north of Houston. The unit has operated since 1917, making it one of the oldest facilities in the TDCJ system. With a capacity of more than 2,000, it is one of the larger units in Texas, historically known as a working farm prison in the East Texas Piney Woods. The facility houses adult male inmates serving longer sentences, and its rural setting in Houston County makes it more remote than the Huntsville Unit but still accessible from Houston within a two-hour drive.
Communication at the Eastham Unit follows TDCJ provider contracts. JPay handles electronic messaging, photo sharing, and money transfers. Families create a JPay account and link the inmate using their TDCJ number to begin correspondence. GTL manages phone calls and video visitation under the TDCJ statewide contract. The two-platform model is the same as across all TDCJ units — separate accounts for JPay and GTL, with separate funding required. Because TDCJ uses these platforms statewide, accounts created for the Eastham Unit will work at any other TDCJ unit if an inmate is transferred.
Lovelady and Houston County are in the loblolly pine region of East Texas, roughly two hours north of Houston and significantly more rural than the Huntsville Unit. For families in the Houston area, the drive is manageable for occasional visits. For families elsewhere in Texas or from out of state, JPay messaging and GTL video visits are the most practical means of regular contact. The TDCJ offender search at tdcj.texas.gov can confirm current housing assignment if there is uncertainty about which unit a loved one has been assigned to.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
2665 Prison Road 1, Lovelady, TX 75851
Main Phone
(936) 636-7321
Administrative line — not for inmate calls
Official Website
Visit official siteCommunication Options
Available communication services at Eastham Unit.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: JPay
Full JPay messaging. Requires TDCJ number. Messages reviewed before delivery.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: GTL
Remote video visits available. Schedule in advance through GTL.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Provider: JPay
Digital photos via JPay. Subject to TDCJ content guidelines.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: GTL
Inmate-initiated calls. Fund GTL AdvancePay account to receive calls.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: JPay
Trust account deposits via JPay for commissary purchases.
Communication Providers at Eastham Unit
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
JPay
Messaging, photo sharing, and trust account deposits. Uses TDCJ number. System-wide across all TDCJ units.
Learn More About JPayGTL
Phone calls and video visitation. Same GTL account works across all TDCJ units.
Learn More About GTLCommunication Rules at Eastham Unit
- JPay and GTL are separate platforms. Messaging stamps and phone funds are not interchangeable.
- TDCJ system-wide accounts carry over if the inmate transfers to another TDCJ unit.
- Messages are reviewed by TDCJ staff before delivery.
- Video visits must be scheduled in advance through GTL.
- Senders must be on the inmate's approved contact list.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions — Eastham Unit
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I send a message to someone at the Eastham Unit?
- Create a JPay account at jpay.com and add the inmate using their TDCJ number. Purchase stamps and send your message. TDCJ staff review messages before delivery, typically within 24 to 48 hours.
- How do I set up phone calls from the Eastham Unit?
- Phone calls use GTL. Create an account at telmate.com or through the GTL Connect app. Set up a prepaid AdvancePay account linked to your phone number and add funds. The inmate calls you from facility phones.
- How far is Eastham from Houston?
- The Eastham Unit is in Lovelady in Houston County, roughly 120 miles north of Houston — about a two-hour drive. The facility is in a rural East Texas area. For Houston-area families, a day trip for in-person visits is feasible but requires planning.
- If my loved one transfers to another TDCJ unit, do I need new accounts?
- No. JPay and GTL are TDCJ system-wide and your accounts carry over to any other TDCJ unit. You may need to update the unit name when scheduling GTL video visits after a transfer.
- How do I send money to an Eastham Unit inmate?
- Trust account deposits are made through JPay. Log in, go to Send Money, and select Eastham Unit. Add funds via debit or credit card. Processing takes one to two business days.
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