The main ways to put money on an inmate account
You can send money to an inmate through the facility's commissary or trust account in three ways: by phone, online, or by mail. The exact method depends on which prison or jail holds the person, because each facility contracts with its own money transfer vendor. There is no single national system.
Most facilities use one of three vendors: JPay, Securus, or GTL (Global Tel Link). Some smaller jails use their own in-house system. You will need to know which facility the person is in and look up that facility's specific vendor and rules before you send anything.
The money does not go into a bank account the inmate can access directly. It goes into a commissary account or trust account managed by the facility. The inmate can then spend it on items sold in the prison or jail store—snacks, hygiene products, phone time, or stamps—or use it to pay court fines or restitution, depending on the facility's rules.
Key Takeaways
- Each prison and jail uses its own money transfer vendor, so you must find out which one before sending money—calling the facility directly is the fastest way.
- Fees vary by vendor and method, ranging from about $1.50 to $3.95 per transaction, and the inmate does not pay these fees—you do.
- Money sent by mail takes two to four weeks to post; online or phone transfers usually post within one to three business days.
- The inmate's account number or booking number is required to send money, and you can usually find this by calling the facility or searching its inmate roster online.
Finding the right vendor for the facility
Start by calling the facility where the person is held. Ask the booking desk or inmate services which vendor they use for money transfers. Write down the vendor name and the inmate's booking number or account number—you will need both.
If you cannot reach the facility by phone, most state and county jail systems have a website with an inmate search tool. Search the person's name, and the result usually shows their booking number and which facility holds them. Some websites also list the approved money transfer vendors on the same page.
Once you know the vendor, go to that vendor's website or call their customer service line. You will create an account, enter the inmate's information, choose how much to send, and pay a fee. The vendor then deposits the money into the inmate's commissary account at the facility.
Online transfers and phone transfers
Online transfers are usually the fastest and cheapest option. Go to the vendor's website (JPay, Securus, or GTL), create an account with your name and email, and search for the inmate by their booking number or name and facility. Enter the amount you want to send and pay by debit card, credit card, or bank account. Fees typically range from $1.50 to $3.95 per transaction.
The money usually posts to the inmate's account within one to three business days. Some vendors offer a "rush" option that posts the same day, but this costs extra—usually $5 to $10 on top of the base fee.
If you prefer to send money by phone, call the vendor's customer service line. You will provide the inmate's information, the amount, and your payment method. The process takes about 10 minutes. Phone transfers cost slightly more than online transfers—usually $2 to $4—because the vendor charges for the call center staff.
Sending money by mail
You can also send a money order or cashier's check by mail directly to the facility. Write the inmate's full name and booking number on the back of the money order. Mail it to the facility's business office address, which you can find on the facility's website or by calling.
Mail transfers take two to four weeks to post because the facility has to receive the mail, process it, and enter it into the inmate's account. This method has no vendor fee, but it is slower and riskier—mail can be lost or delayed. Use this method only if you cannot access online or phone transfers.
Never send cash by mail. It will not be accepted, and the facility will not return it.
What happens after the money posts
Once the money is in the inmate's commissary account, they can spend it at the prison or jail store, usually through a kiosk or by ordering from a commissary list. The inmate cannot withdraw the money as cash. Some facilities also allow inmates to use commissary funds to pay court fines, restitution, or phone charges, but this varies by facility.
The inmate will see the money in their account within one to three business days for online or phone transfers, or two to four weeks for mail. They can check their balance by asking staff or, at some facilities, by checking a kiosk or their account online if the facility offers inmate portal access.
If the inmate is released or transferred to another facility, any remaining balance in their commissary account may be returned to them as a check, transferred to their new facility, or forfeited—rules vary. Ask the facility what happens to remaining funds before the person is released.
Fees and what they cover
Every vendor charges a transaction fee. The inmate does not pay this—you do. Fees typically range from $1.50 to $3.95 per transfer, depending on the vendor and method. Some vendors charge more for credit card payments than for bank account transfers.
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. The fee goes to the vendor, not to the facility or the inmate.
Some facilities also take a small percentage of commissary purchases—usually 5 to 10 percent—as a "facility fee." This happens when the inmate spends the money at the store, not when you send it. The inmate will see this deducted from their balance when they make a purchase.
Troubleshooting common problems
If the money does not post after the expected time, first check that you used the correct booking number and facility name. Call the vendor's customer service line with your transaction number (you should have received a confirmation email or receipt). They can tell you whether the transfer went through and where it is in the process.
If the vendor says the transfer was sent but the facility says they did not receive it, ask the facility to check their incoming transfer log. Sometimes there is a delay on the facility's end, or the inmate's name or booking number was entered slightly differently. The facility can usually locate the transfer and post it manually.
If you sent money by mail and it has been more than four weeks, call the facility's business office and provide the money order number. Ask them to search their records. If they cannot find it, you may need to stop payment on the original money order and send a new one, though this process varies by bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send money to someone in federal prison?
Yes, but the process is different from state and local jails. Federal prisons use the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Trust Fund system. You can send money online through the BOP website, by phone, or by mail to the specific prison's business office. Call the facility to confirm their current vendor and process, as the BOP contracts with different vendors by region.
What if I do not know which facility the person is in?
Call your local county jail or sheriff's office and give them the person's name and date of birth. They can search their system and tell you which facility holds them. You can also search most state prison systems online—each state maintains a public inmate locator database on its Department of Corrections website.
Is there a limit to how much money I can send?
Yes, but the limit varies by facility and vendor. Most facilities cap the commissary account balance at $200 to $500 at any one time. If the account is at the limit, you cannot send more money until the inmate spends some. Call the facility to ask what their current limit is.
Can the inmate's money be taken to pay fines or restitution?
Yes. Many facilities automatically deduct court-ordered fines, restitution, or child support from commissary accounts. Ask the facility whether they do this before you send money. Some facilities give inmates a choice about whether to allow deductions; others do it automatically.
What if the inmate is released before I send the money?
Do not send it. Once someone is released, their commissary account is closed. If you send money after release, it will either be returned to you or forfeited, depending on the vendor and facility. Call the facility to confirm the person's release date before sending anything.