The basic process: who receives the money and how it gets there
Money sent to an inmate goes into a commissary or trust account held by the facility, not into a personal bank account. The inmate can then spend it on items sold by the prison or jail canteen—phone calls, hygiene products, snacks, clothing—or in some cases transfer it to other inmates or save it for release.
The facility, not the inmate, controls the account. You send money to the institution's designated account or payment processor, and the facility credits it to the inmate's name. The inmate cannot withdraw cash or move the money to an outside bank account while incarcerated.
How you send the money depends on which facility holds the inmate and which payment methods that facility accepts. Most prisons and jails now use third-party payment processors rather than handling deposits directly. The processor collects your payment, takes a fee, and transfers the balance to the facility.
Key Takeaways
- Money goes into a commissary account run by the facility, not a personal bank account the inmate controls.
- Most facilities use a third-party payment processor—you will need the inmate's full name, facility name, and inmate number to send money.
- Payment methods vary by facility but typically include debit card, credit card, bank transfer, or cash at a physical location.
- Fees charged by the processor range from a flat amount per transaction to a percentage of the deposit, and the inmate does not pay these fees—you do.
- Money usually appears in the inmate's account within one to three business days, though some facilities process deposits more slowly.
Finding the correct facility and inmate number
You need three pieces of information before you can send money: the inmate's full legal name, the name of the facility where they are held, and their inmate number. If you do not have the inmate number, you can usually find it by searching the facility's inmate roster online or by calling the facility directly.
If you are unsure which facility holds the inmate, start with the jurisdiction's main booking or corrections website. Most state departments of corrections and county sheriff's offices maintain searchable inmate databases. Federal inmates are listed in the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator. If the inmate was recently arrested, they may still be in a local county jail rather than a state or federal facility.
Once you have located the facility, look for a "send money" or "inmate accounts" section on the facility's website. This page will list the accepted payment methods and the name of the payment processor the facility uses. Some facilities use multiple processors, so confirm which one applies to the inmate's housing unit if the facility is large.
Payment methods and where to send money
The payment processor's website is where you actually send the money. Common processors include JPay, Securus, GTL (Global Tel Link), Paypal, and facility-specific systems. Each processor has its own website or app where you create an account, enter the inmate's information, and choose your payment method.
Most processors accept debit cards and credit cards, though some charge higher fees for credit cards than debit. Bank transfers (ACH) are often available and may have lower fees than card payments. A few processors accept payments by mail—you send a check or money order to a specified address—but this method takes longer and some facilities no longer offer it.
Some facilities also accept cash deposits at physical locations: kiosks in the facility lobby, partnered retail locations like Walmart or CVS, or Western Union agents. These in-person methods can be faster than online payment and sometimes carry lower fees, but they require you to visit a location in person or find a nearby agent.
Fees and what the inmate actually receives
The payment processor charges a fee for each deposit. This fee comes out of your payment—if you send $50 and the fee is $2.50, the inmate receives $47.50. Fees vary widely by processor and payment method. A debit card transaction might cost $1.50 to $3.00 flat, while a credit card payment might be 3% to 4% of the amount. Bank transfers sometimes have lower fees or no fee at all.
Some facilities also charge the inmate a small fee to withdraw money from their commissary account, though this is less common than processor fees. A few states have capped or banned these facility fees, but most have not. The inmate's account statement will show both the deposit you sent and any fees deducted.
The inmate cannot dispute or recover processor fees. Before you send money, check the processor's fee schedule on the facility's website so you know exactly how much will reach the inmate's account.
How long deposits take to appear
Timing depends on the payment method and the facility's processing schedule. Online debit card payments typically post within one to three business days. Credit card payments sometimes take longer. Bank transfers may take two to five business days depending on your bank and the processor.
Cash deposits at a kiosk or retail location sometimes post the same day or next business day, but this varies by facility. Mail deposits take the longest—typically one to two weeks for the check to arrive, plus additional time for the facility to process it.
Weekends and holidays can delay processing. If you send money on a Friday evening, it may not post until Tuesday or Wednesday. Some facilities process deposits only on certain days of the week, so check the facility's schedule before sending money if timing matters.
What happens if money is sent to the wrong facility or inmate
If you send money to the wrong inmate or facility, the processor or facility will usually hold it and attempt to contact you. Do not assume the money is lost. Contact the processor or facility's customer service with your transaction number and explain the error.
Refunds can take weeks to process, and some processors charge a fee to reverse a transaction. To avoid this, triple-check the inmate's full legal name and inmate number before you submit payment. Facilities sometimes hold inmates under a different name than the one you know them by, so ask the inmate or their family member to confirm the exact name in the system.
If the inmate is released or transferred to another facility, money remaining in their account may be held by the original facility, transferred to the new facility, or returned to you depending on the facility's policy. Contact the facility to ask what happens to remaining funds before the inmate is released.
Limits on how much you can send
Most facilities set a maximum balance that an inmate's account can hold at any one time. This limit is typically between $500 and $2,000, though it varies by facility and by state. Once the account reaches the limit, you cannot send more money until the inmate spends some of what is already there.
Some facilities also limit how much you can deposit in a single transaction—for example, $200 per deposit. These limits are set by the facility or state, not by the processor, and they are listed on the facility's inmate accounts page.
If you try to send money and the deposit is rejected, check whether the account has reached its maximum balance. If it has, you will need to wait until the inmate has spent some of the money before you can add more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send money to an inmate in federal prison?
Yes. The Federal Bureau of Prisons uses a system called Federal Inmate Trust Fund administered through a third-party processor. Visit the BOP website, search for the inmate, and follow the link to send money. The process is the same as for state facilities—you need the inmate's name and number, and you pay a processor fee.
What if the inmate is in a private prison?
Private prisons use the same third-party payment processors as public facilities. The inmate's facility page will list which processor to use. The process and fees are identical to public prisons, though some private facilities may have different account limits or spending restrictions.
Can I send money directly to the inmate instead of through the facility?
No. All money must go through the facility's commissary account system. Sending cash or money directly to an inmate is not permitted and may result in the money being confiscated or disciplinary action against the inmate. The facility account is the only legal way to send funds.
What if I do not know which payment processor the facility uses?
Call the facility's main number and ask for the inmate accounts or commissary department. They will tell you the processor's name and direct you to the correct website. You can also search the facility's name plus "send money" online, which usually brings up the processor's page.
Can the inmate's money be taken to pay fines or restitution?
Yes. Facilities can deduct money from an inmate's account to pay court-ordered fines, restitution, or facility fees. The inmate will receive notice of the deduction, but they cannot prevent it. Ask the facility or the inmate's attorney what debts exist before sending large amounts of money.