If a TDCJ inmate has no funds in their trust account, they can request indigent supplies of writing material and basic hygiene items.

If the inmate subsequently receives funds into their account, TDCJ will take back the cost of providing the indigent supplies.

Indigent correspondence items usually include 5 sheets of paper, 5 small envelopes, 5 standard inland stamps, and a pencil.

The inmate must request indigent items, they are not normally handed out without a request being made.

Baking soda is cheaper than toothpaste.

And when they mention soap, they don't mean a standard size bar that you or I would buy in a shop, they mean a tiny little hotel-style bar, approx 5cm x 2cm x .5 cm.