The basic process: who takes the money and how

You send money to the facility where the inmate is held, not to the inmate directly. The prison or jail deposits it into a commissary or trust account that the inmate can use to buy items from the facility store, make phone calls, or pay court fees. The facility controls which payment methods it accepts and how fast the money reaches the account.

Most facilities accept money orders, bank transfers, credit or debit cards, and phone payments. Some accept cash deposits at a kiosk on-site. The inmate's account number or booking number is required for every deposit, and you will need to know which facility is holding the person—not just the city or county, but the specific jail or prison name.

Processing time varies. Money sent by mail can take one to three weeks. Online or phone payments often post within one to three business days. Kiosk deposits at the facility itself are usually instant or same-day. The facility's website or a call to the commissary office will tell you the exact timeline for each method.

Key Takeaways

  • Money goes to the facility's commissary or trust account, not directly to the inmate, and you need the inmate's account or booking number to send it.
  • Each facility chooses which payment methods it accepts—money order, debit card, bank transfer, phone, or cash kiosk—so check the facility's website or call first.
  • Mail deposits take one to three weeks; online or phone payments usually post in one to three business days; kiosk deposits are often instant.
  • The inmate can use the account to buy commissary items, make phone calls, or pay fines, but cannot withdraw cash or transfer money out of the facility.

Finding the right facility and account number

If you do not know which facility is holding the inmate, start with the county sheriff's office or the state department of corrections website. Most states have an inmate locator tool where you enter the person's name and it returns the facility name, booking number, and sometimes a direct commissary phone number. Federal inmates can be found through the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator at bop.gov.

Once you have the facility name, search for "[facility name] commissary" or "[facility name] inmate deposits" to find the payment page. Many facilities use third-party vendors like JPay, Securus, GTL, or Keefe Commissary Network to handle deposits. These vendors have their own websites and apps where you can send money without calling the facility directly.

Write down the inmate's full name, booking number, and facility name before you start. If you have the wrong facility or the wrong booking number, the money will be deposited to the wrong account or rejected, and getting it back takes weeks.

Payment methods and their costs

Most facilities accept multiple payment methods, but each one has different fees and timelines. Money orders sent by mail are cheap—usually under $2—but take the longest. You buy the money order at a bank, post office, or grocery store, write the inmate's name and booking number on it, and mail it to the facility's commissary address.

Online or phone payments through the facility's vendor cost more. Credit card payments typically charge a fee of $1.50 to $3.95 per transaction, and debit card fees are often lower. Bank transfers (ACH) are cheaper but slower. Some facilities offer a free or low-cost option if you pay by check, but checks take as long as mail.

Kiosk deposits at the facility itself—if available—usually charge no fee and post instantly. Call the facility to ask if it has a kiosk and where it is located. Some facilities only allow kiosk deposits during certain hours or on certain days.

What happens after the money is deposited

Once the money reaches the inmate's account, the inmate can spend it at the commissary store, which typically sells snacks, hygiene items, clothing, and stationery. The inmate can also use the account to make phone calls, send emails through the facility's system, or pay court costs and fines. The facility controls what the inmate can buy and at what prices.

The inmate cannot withdraw the money as cash or transfer it out of the facility. If the inmate is released, transferred to another facility, or moved to a different custody level, the account balance may transfer with them—but this varies by facility and state. Ask the commissary office what happens to the account balance in the inmate's specific situation.

If the inmate is released and has money left in the account, the facility will usually mail a check to the address on file or hold it for pickup. Some facilities charge a fee to process the final balance. Ask about this when you first deposit money, so you know what to expect.

Limits on how much you can deposit

Most facilities set a maximum account balance—often $200 to $500 per month or per deposit. Some allow higher balances for inmates in certain custody levels or situations. The limit prevents hoarding of commissary items and reduces security risks. Check the facility's website or call the commissary office to learn the limit for the specific inmate.

If you try to deposit more than the limit, the transaction will be rejected or the excess will be held in a pending status until the account balance drops below the limit. Do not assume the money was lost—call the commissary office to ask where it went.

Some facilities also restrict how often you can deposit. You might be able to send money once a week, once every two weeks, or once a month. These rules vary widely, so confirm the frequency limit before you send the first deposit.

What to do if the deposit does not arrive or is rejected

If you sent money by mail and it has been more than three weeks, call the facility's commissary office and give them the inmate's name, booking number, and the date you mailed the money order. Ask them to search for it. Money orders can be lost in mail, and the facility may need to file a claim with the postal service to recover it.

If you sent money online or by phone and it was rejected, the most common reasons are a wrong account number, a balance that is already at the maximum, or a payment method that the facility does not accept. Check your receipt or confirmation email for the rejection reason. If the reason is unclear, call the facility or the vendor's customer service line.

If money was deducted from your bank account or credit card but never reached the inmate's account, contact the vendor or your bank immediately. Disputes can take 30 to 60 days to resolve, so document everything—the date, amount, confirmation number, and the inmate's name and booking number.

Deposits from out of state or for federal inmates

If the inmate is in a different state, the process is the same: find the facility, get the booking number, and use the payment method the facility accepts. Federal inmates are held in Bureau of Prisons facilities, and you can send money through the BOP's approved vendor, which currently handles most deposits. Visit bop.gov and search for the inmate's facility to find the deposit instructions.

Some states have centralized deposit systems where you send money to a state account rather than to each facility individually. California, for example, uses a statewide system. Check the state department of corrections website to see if your state has this option—it can be faster and cheaper than sending to individual facilities.

International deposits are more complicated. If you are sending money from outside the United States, you will likely need to use a wire transfer or a money transfer service like Western Union, and the facility must have an agreement with that service. Call the facility first to ask what international payment methods it accepts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit money if I do not know the inmate's booking number?

No. The booking number is required to route the money to the correct account. Use the state inmate locator tool or call the facility directly to get it. If you only have the inmate's name, the locator will return the booking number and facility name.

What if the inmate is transferred to a different facility?

The account balance may transfer with the inmate, or it may be held at the original facility. Call the original facility's commissary office to ask what happens. Some states allow you to request a transfer of the balance; others require you to send a new deposit to the new facility. Do not send money to the old facility after a transfer.

Can I get a refund if I send money by mistake?

Refunds are difficult and slow. If you sent money to the wrong inmate or facility, contact the facility's commissary office immediately and ask them to reverse the transaction. If the inmate has already spent the money, recovery is unlikely. For online payments, contact the vendor or your bank within 60 days to dispute the charge.

Do I have to use the facility's vendor, or can I send money directly?

Most facilities require you to use their approved vendor or send a money order by mail. You cannot send cash or personal checks directly to the inmate. The facility controls all payment methods for security reasons. Check the facility's website to see which vendors and methods are accepted.

Is there a way to send money without paying a fee?

Money orders sent by mail have the lowest fees—usually under $2. Some facilities accept checks by mail at no charge, but they take as long as money orders. Kiosk deposits at the facility are often free if you can visit in person. Online and phone payments almost always charge a fee of $1.50 to $4.