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 siteVisit and Contact Details
Inmate search, mail, visiting hours, costs, commissary, and bail information for this facility.
Inmate Search
Search inmates on the official roster
Check the spelling of the name carefully, and allow 24 to 72 hours for new arrivals to appear in the roster.
Communication 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.
View JPay ServicesGTL
Phone calls and video visitation. Same GTL account works across all TDCJ units.
View GTL ServicesCommunication 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.
- How do I find someone at the Eastham Unit?
- Use the TDCJ Inmate Search at inmate.tdcj.texas.gov/InmateSearch/start.action and search by name, TDCJ number, or SID. The search shows the current unit, offenses, and projected release date for people currently in TDCJ custody.
- How do I get approved to visit the Eastham Unit?
- Submit a TDCJ visitor application and wait for approval before scheduling a visit. Only approved visitors are admitted. Schedule visits in advance and bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- How do I buy commissary items for someone at Eastham?
- Families can purchase commissary items for TDCJ inmates through eCommDirect, the TDCJ commissary ordering service. The inmate can also buy from the unit commissary using trust fund money sent through JPay.
- Can I send mail to someone at Eastham?
- Yes. Include the inmate full name and TDCJ number on the envelope. All mail is inspected for contraband. Do not send cash, contraband, or prohibited items.
Troubleshooting at Eastham Unit
Fix the most common problems families hit with calls, video visits, money, and messaging.
- Why am I not receiving calls from an inmate?
- Inmates can only call out, so you cannot call an inmate directly. If expected calls are not coming through, check your phone's spam or silence-unknown-callers setting, since carriers often block jail numbers. Save the facility's number as a contact, confirm your number is on the inmate's approved list, and check whether your carrier blocks collect or prepaid calls. If several expected calls fail, contact the facility's phone provider support.
- Why is my inmate not showing up in search?
- New arrivals can take 24 to 72 hours to appear in search results, and people in transfer may temporarily disappear from listings. Try alternate spellings and name variations, and make sure you are searching the right system: the federal BOP locator only covers federal inmates, while county and state searches are separate. Some records are withheld for protective custody or sealed cases. If it has been more than a few days, call the facility's records office.
- I sent money but it is not showing in the inmate's account. What should I do?
- Allow processing time first. Electronic deposits can take hours and money orders can take much longer. Check your receipt and confirm the inmate's name and ID matched. Do not send a second payment until the first one is traced, since duplicate payments are hard to reverse. Contact the money-transfer provider's support with your receipt or confirmation number. If the inmate was recently transferred, funds may follow after a delay.
- Why was my video visit cancelled or cut off?
- Most cancellations come from connection problems or conduct-rule violations. Stay in frame, keep your ID ready, follow the dress code, keep other people off camera, and avoid profanity. Visits can also be cancelled for facility lockdowns or schedule changes. For refunds, contact the video provider's support with your visit details.
- What should I do if the facility changed its communications provider?
- Create an account with the new provider, since old accounts and balances do not transfer automatically. Ask the old provider whether refunds are available for unused balances. Confirm the new provider's phone, video, and messaging setup before your next visit or call.
- Why is my JPay account blocked?
- A blocked account usually means the inmate blocked contact, the account details do not match, or JPay flagged the account for review. Confirm the inmate's ID and facility, check for an 'inmate blocked' message, and contact JPay support if the block looks like an error. See our guide: JPay account locked
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