The most common way to send money is through the facility's approved vendor
Most jails and prisons use a third-party company to handle inmate deposits. The facility will have a contract with one vendor—often JPay, Securus, GTL, or Keefe Commissary Network—and that is the only way to add money remotely. You cannot send cash directly to the facility or to the inmate.
To find out which vendor your facility uses, search the facility's name plus "inmate deposits" on the vendor's website, or call the facility's main number and ask the booking desk. They will give you the vendor name and direct you to their website or phone line. Some facilities post this information on their website under commissary or inmate accounts.
Once you know the vendor, you can deposit money online, by phone, or at a physical location. Online is fastest—money usually posts within one business day. Phone deposits take slightly longer. In-person deposits at retail locations (like Walmart or CVS) may take one to two business days.
Key Takeaways
- Your facility uses one approved vendor for inmate deposits; call the booking desk to find out which one.
- Online deposits through the vendor's website are the fastest method and usually post within one business day.
- You will need the inmate's full name, booking number or inmate ID, and the facility name to complete a deposit.
- Vendors charge a fee for each deposit, typically between $1.50 and $3.95, depending on the method and vendor.
- Money goes into a commissary account that the inmate can use to buy items from the facility store, or into a phone/email account if the facility allows it.
What information you need before you deposit
Have the inmate's full legal name, booking number (also called inmate number or ID number), and the facility name ready. The booking number is the most important piece—without it, the vendor may not know which inmate to credit. If you do not have the booking number, call the facility's booking desk and provide the inmate's full name and date of birth; they will give you the number.
Some vendors also ask for the inmate's date of birth or the date of arrest. Have this information on hand before you start the deposit process, because the vendor will not let you proceed without it. If you are unsure of any detail, call the facility first rather than guessing—a deposit with the wrong information may not reach the inmate and may be harder to reverse.
How to deposit money online
Go to the vendor's website and look for a link like "Send Money" or "Add Funds." You will enter the inmate's name, booking number, and facility name. Then you will choose the amount and your payment method—debit card, credit card, or bank account transfer. The vendor will show you the fee before you confirm.
After you complete the payment, you will receive a confirmation number. Save this number. Money typically posts to the inmate's account within 24 hours on a business day; deposits made on weekends or holidays may take longer. Some vendors send a text or email notification when the money is received, but not all do. If the inmate does not see the money after two business days, contact the vendor with your confirmation number.
Phone and in-person deposit options
If you prefer not to use the website, you can call the vendor's phone line and give your information to a representative. They will process the payment over the phone using your debit or credit card. This method takes slightly longer than online—usually one to two business days—and you will still receive a confirmation number.
Some vendors also allow you to deposit cash at retail locations like Walmart, CVS, or MoneyGram. You tell the cashier the inmate's name and booking number, hand over cash, and pay the fee. The cashier gives you a receipt. Deposits made this way typically post within one to two business days. This option is useful if you do not have a debit or credit card, but it is slower than online.
Fees and what the inmate can buy with the money
Every vendor charges a fee per deposit. Fees typically range from $1.50 to $3.95, depending on the vendor and the method you use. Online deposits are usually cheaper than phone deposits, and phone deposits are usually cheaper than in-person cash deposits. The fee is separate from the amount you send—if you send $50 and the fee is $2.95, the inmate receives $50 and you pay $52.95 total.
Money deposited goes into the inmate's commissary account, which the inmate can use to buy items from the facility store: snacks, hygiene products, clothing, books, and writing supplies. Some facilities also allow inmates to use commissary funds to pay for phone calls or email messages, but this varies by facility. Ask the facility or the vendor whether phone and email access can be paid from the commissary account, or whether there is a separate account for that.
What to do if money does not arrive or is sent to the wrong person
If the inmate does not see the money after two business days, contact the vendor with your confirmation number. Have the inmate's name, booking number, and the amount ready. The vendor can check whether the deposit was processed and, if it was, which account it went to. If there was an error—for example, the money went to a different inmate with a similar name—the vendor can usually reverse it and reprocess it correctly.
If you sent money to the wrong facility by mistake, contact that facility's vendor immediately. Some vendors can transfer the money to the correct facility, but this is not may provide. The faster you report the error, the better the chance of recovery. Keep your confirmation number and receipt until the inmate confirms the money arrived.
Limits on how much you can send
Most vendors and facilities set a maximum amount per deposit and a maximum balance in the account. These limits vary widely. Some facilities cap deposits at $100 per transaction and $500 total in the account; others allow $500 per transaction and $2,000 in the account. A few facilities have no limit. Call the facility or check the vendor's website to find out the limits for your specific facility.
If you try to deposit more than the limit, the vendor will reject the transaction and you will not be charged. Some vendors will let you deposit up to the limit and then deposit the remainder separately. Others require you to wait until the inmate spends down the account before you can add more. Ask the vendor what happens if you exceed the limit before you attempt a large deposit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send money to an inmate if I do not know their booking number?
No, most vendors require the booking number to process a deposit. Call the facility's booking desk with the inmate's full name and date of birth, and they will give you the number. Without it, the vendor cannot match your deposit to the correct person.
How long does it take for money to show up in an inmate's account?
Online deposits usually post within one business day. Phone and in-person deposits typically take one to two business days. Deposits made on weekends or holidays may take longer because the facility may not process them until the next business day.
What happens if I send money and the inmate is released before they spend it?
This depends on the facility. Some facilities return unspent commissary funds to the inmate upon release. Others keep the money or transfer it to a restitution account if the inmate owes fines or court costs. Ask the facility what happens to remaining funds when an inmate is released.
Can I get a refund if I send money by mistake?
Refunds are difficult. If you sent money to the wrong inmate or facility, contact the vendor immediately with your confirmation number. They may be able to reverse the transaction or transfer the funds, but this is not may provide. Refunds to your original payment method can take several weeks.
Are there other ways to send money besides the approved vendor?
No. Facilities do not accept cash, checks, or money orders sent by mail. The approved vendor is the only way to add money remotely. Some facilities may allow you to bring cash in person during visiting hours, but this is rare and varies by facility—ask before you visit.