The basic process: who you pay and how the money reaches them
You send money to an inmate through the facility where they are held, not directly to the person. The jail or prison operates an inmate account system — think of it as a commissary account or trust account — that holds the money until the inmate spends it on phone calls, commissary items, or other approved services.
The facility controls which payment methods it accepts. Most accept money orders, debit cards through a third-party vendor, bank transfers, or credit cards. Some accept cash deposits at the facility itself. The money does not go into a regular bank account; it goes into the facility's system, and the inmate can see their balance on a kiosk or printed statement.
The inmate's account is separate from any money they had when arrested. If they had cash or a bank account before, that remains theirs to manage (or is held as evidence). The account you are funding is purely for commissary and services while they are incarcerated.
Key Takeaways
- Money goes to the facility's inmate account system, not a personal bank account, and the inmate accesses it through commissary or phone services.
- Each jail and prison sets its own payment methods and fees, so you must contact the specific facility to learn what it accepts.
- Third-party vendors like JPay, Securus, and GTL handle payments for many facilities and charge processing fees on top of the amount you send.
- Money orders sent by mail are usually free but take longer and require you to know the inmate's full name, booking number, and facility address.
- Some facilities cap how much an inmate can have in their account at one time, typically between $500 and $2,000.
Finding the payment method your facility accepts
Call the facility's main number and ask for the inmate account or commissary department. They will tell you which payment methods they accept, what fees explore, and whether there are deposit limits. Write down the exact name and booking number of the inmate, because you will need both for any payment method.
If the facility uses a third-party vendor, the staff will give you the vendor's website or phone number. Major vendors include JPay, Securus, GTL, and Keefe Group. Each charges its own fees — typically $1.50 to $3.00 per transaction plus a percentage of the amount sent. These fees come out of what you send, so if you send $50 through a vendor that charges $2, the inmate receives $48.
Some facilities allow multiple payment methods. A county jail might accept money orders by mail and also use JPay for online payments. A state prison might only accept payments through one vendor. There is no standard, so the facility's answer is the only one that matters.
Paying by money order through the mail
Money orders are usually free to purchase (you pay the face value plus a small fee, typically under $2) and have no processing fees when you mail them. You buy a money order at a bank, post office, grocery store, or convenience store, write it out to the facility (not the inmate), and mail it to the facility's address with a letter stating the inmate's name and booking number.
The facility's mail room processes incoming money orders, which can take one to three weeks depending on mail volume and how quickly the facility posts deposits. During that time, the inmate cannot see the money in their account. Some facilities batch-process deposits weekly; others do it daily. Ask when you call whether the facility has a standard processing timeline.
Money orders are slower but cost nothing beyond the small purchase fee. They work well if you are sending money infrequently or if the inmate does not need it urgently. If the inmate needs money within days, a third-party vendor or in-person cash deposit is faster.
Using a third-party payment vendor
If the facility uses JPay, Securus, GTL, or another vendor, you create an account on their website or app, enter the inmate's name and booking number, and choose how much to send. You pay with a debit card, credit card, or bank transfer. The vendor charges a fee and deposits the money into the facility's system, usually within one business day.
The inmate can often see the balance when ready or within hours, depending on the facility's system. This is the fastest method if you need the money to reach them quickly. The trade-off is the fee — sending $50 might cost you $52 or $53 after the vendor's charge.
Some vendors also offer phone calls, video visits, and email services through the same account, so you may already have an account if you have been in contact with the inmate through other means. Check your existing accounts before creating a new one.
Depositing cash at the facility
Some jails allow you to walk in and deposit cash directly at a window, usually during business hours. You bring the inmate's name and booking number, hand over the cash, and receive a receipt. The money typically posts to their account the same day or the next business day.
This method is free and fast, but it requires you to be near the facility during its deposit hours. Not all facilities offer it — some have stopped in-person cash deposits for security reasons. Always call ahead to confirm the facility accepts cash deposits and what hours they are available.
Account limits and what the money can be used for
Most facilities cap the balance an inmate can hold in their account. Common limits are $500, $1,000, or $2,000. If an inmate reaches the cap, you cannot send more money until they spend some. The facility will tell you the limit when you call.
The inmate uses the account balance for commissary purchases (snacks, hygiene items, clothing), phone calls, video visits, email, and sometimes bail or court fees. They cannot withdraw it as cash. When they are released, the remaining balance is either mailed to them as a check or transferred to a bank account they provide — the facility's policy varies.
Some facilities restrict what items are available for purchase or charge markups on commissary prices. These policies are set by the facility or the vendor, not by you, so the inmate's purchasing power may be less than the balance suggests.
What happens if you send money to the wrong facility
If the inmate has been transferred and you send money to their old location, the facility will either return it or forward it to the new facility. This can take weeks. To avoid this, confirm the inmate's current location before sending money. You can search most state prison systems online, or call the facility directly.
If you send money and it does not appear in the inmate's account within the expected timeframe, contact the facility's inmate account department with your receipt or transaction number. They can trace the payment and tell you whether it has been posted, is still processing, or was rejected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send money to someone in federal prison?
Yes. Federal prisons use the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) system. You can send money through the BOP's approved vendor, JPay, or by money order to the specific facility. Call the facility or visit the BOP website to confirm the current payment methods, as they change periodically.
What if the inmate does not have a booking number yet?
If someone was just arrested and has not been booked into the system, wait a few hours and call back. Booking usually takes two to four hours. Once they are booked, you will have a number. Until then, the facility cannot set up an account for them.
Can I get the money back if I change my mind?
Once money is deposited into an inmate account, it belongs to the inmate and you cannot reclaim it. Some vendors allow you to cancel a payment before it is processed, but only within a narrow window — usually minutes. After that, the money is in the facility's system and cannot be reversed.
Do I need to be a family member to send money?
No. Anyone can send money to an inmate's account. The facility does not verify your relationship to the inmate. You only need their name and booking number.
What if the facility says they do not accept any of these payment methods?
A very small number of facilities have their own proprietary systems. Call the facility again and ask specifically what payment methods are available. If none of the standard methods work, ask whether you can mail a check or money order directly to the inmate's commissary account, or whether there is an alternative process the facility uses.