The basic process: who you contact and what you need
To put money on an inmate's account, you contact the facility where they are held—not a central government office. Each jail, prison, or detention center runs its own commissary system and has its own procedures for receiving funds. The facility's business office or commissary department is where money actually lands.
You will need the inmate's full name and their booking or identification number. Some facilities also ask for the inmate's date of birth or the housing unit. Have this information ready before you call or visit the facility's website. The inmate's number is usually on any paperwork they sent you or on the facility's inmate search tool.
Most facilities offer three ways to send money: by phone, online through their vendor's website, or in person at the facility. Phone and online are faster. In-person deposits at the facility itself are less common now, though some jails still accept them during specific hours.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the specific facility where the inmate is held, because each one manages its own commissary account and has different procedures.
- You will need the inmate's full name and booking number, which you can find on paperwork they sent or through the facility's inmate search.
- Most facilities use a third-party vendor to process deposits—common ones are JPay, Securus, and GTL—and you pay a processing fee that varies by method and amount.
- Money deposited by phone or online usually appears in the account within one to three business days, though some facilities hold deposits longer.
- The inmate can spend money only on commissary items like food, hygiene products, and phone time—not on bail or fines.
Finding the facility's deposit method and vendor
Start by searching the facility's name plus "inmate commissary" or "send money." Most county jails and state prisons have a website with a link to their commissary vendor. The vendor's name appears on that page—it might be JPay, Securus, GTL, Paypal, or a local processor. Each vendor has its own website and phone number.
If you cannot find the facility online, call the main jail or prison number and ask for the business office or commissary department. They will tell you the vendor's name and how to reach them. Write down the phone number and website they give you, because you will use it every time you send money.
Some facilities allow deposits through multiple vendors, so you may have a choice. Phone deposits usually cost more than online deposits—often $2 to $5 extra per transaction. If you send money regularly, online is cheaper over time.
Phone deposits and processing fees
To deposit by phone, call the vendor's number during their business hours. You will give them the inmate's name and booking number, the amount you want to deposit, and your payment method—usually a debit card, credit card, or bank account. The vendor will read back the information to confirm it is correct before charging you.
Processing fees vary. A $50 deposit might cost $2 to $3 extra by phone; a $100 deposit might cost $3 to $5. Some vendors charge a flat fee per transaction instead of a percentage. Ask the vendor for their fee schedule before you give your payment information. The fee is separate from the amount you are sending—if you send $50 and the fee is $3, you pay $53 total.
Phone deposits usually post to the inmate's account within one to three business days. Some facilities process them faster. Ask the vendor for their timeline when you call. Weekend and holiday deposits may take longer.
Online deposits through the vendor's website
Online deposits are usually cheaper than phone deposits. You create an account on the vendor's website, enter the inmate's information, choose the amount, and pay with a debit card or bank account. Online fees are typically $1 to $2 per transaction, though some vendors charge a small percentage of the amount instead.
After you submit the deposit, the vendor sends you a confirmation number. Save this number in case there is a problem. The money usually appears in the inmate's account within one to three business days, though some vendors post overnight deposits the next morning.
If you send money regularly, most vendors let you save the inmate's information so you do not have to enter it each time. Some also let you set up automatic deposits on a schedule—for example, $25 every two weeks. Check whether the vendor charges extra for automatic deposits.
In-person deposits at the facility
Some jails still accept cash or money order deposits at the front desk or business office during specific hours. Call the facility to ask whether they take in-person deposits and what their hours are. You will need to bring the inmate's name and booking number, and you may need to show identification.
In-person deposits usually post the same day or the next business day. There is typically no processing fee. However, this method is slower overall because you have to travel to the facility, and many facilities have stopped accepting in-person deposits entirely in favor of online and phone systems.
If the facility does accept in-person deposits, ask whether they accept cash, money orders, or both. Some facilities no longer accept cash for security reasons and require a money order instead.
What the inmate can buy with commissary money
Money on a commissary account can be spent only on items the facility's commissary sells: snacks, hygiene products, phone time, stamps, writing supplies, and sometimes clothing or shoes. The inmate cannot use commissary money to pay bail, fines, court costs, or restitution. Those payments go through a separate system.
Each facility has its own commissary store with its own prices. Items are usually more expensive than they would be outside—a candy bar might cost $1.50 instead of $0.75. The inmate can see what is available and the prices through the commissary menu, which is often posted on the vendor's website or available in the facility.
Some facilities limit how much an inmate can spend per week or per month. Ask the facility or vendor what the spending limit is, if any. If the inmate does not spend the money, it stays in the account until they are released or transferred.
What happens if there is a problem with the deposit
If money does not appear in the inmate's account after the stated processing time, contact the vendor first. Have your confirmation number ready. The vendor can check whether the deposit was received and processed. Sometimes a deposit is held because the inmate's information did not match exactly—a middle initial missing or a booking number entered wrong.
If the vendor says the deposit was processed but the inmate still does not see it, ask them to contact the facility's business office. There is sometimes a delay between when the vendor processes a deposit and when the facility's system updates. This usually resolves within a few days.
If you were charged but the money never posted, the vendor should refund you. Ask for a refund in writing and keep records of the transaction. Refunds can take one to two weeks to appear back on your card or bank account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send money to an inmate in a different state?
Yes. The process is the same—you contact the facility in that state and use their vendor. Processing times may be slightly longer because the money has to clear through different banking systems, but most deposits still post within one to three business days.
What if I do not know which facility the inmate is in?
Search the inmate locator on your state's Department of Corrections website or the county jail's website. If you do not know which county, call the local police department's non-emergency line and ask them to look it up. Once you know the facility, you can find their commissary vendor.
Can I send money if I do not have a bank account or credit card?
Some vendors accept money orders or prepaid debit cards. Call the vendor and ask what payment methods they take. You can buy a prepaid card at most grocery stores or pharmacies. Some facilities also accept Western Union or MoneyGram, though this is less common now.
Will the inmate know the money came from me?
Yes. When you deposit money, you provide your name or the name you want to appear on the deposit. The inmate sees this information when the money posts to their account. If you want to remain anonymous, ask the vendor whether they allow deposits under a different name.
What happens to money left in the account when the inmate is released?
The inmate can withdraw it in cash at release, or it can be mailed to them as a check after they leave. Ask the facility what their procedure is. If the inmate is transferred to a different facility, the money usually transfers with them, though you may need to update the account information with the new facility's vendor.