Yes, incarcerated people can open bank accounts, but the process and what you can do with the account depend on where you are held and which bank you use
An incarcerated person can open a checking or savings account while in custody. The bank does not automatically deny you because of incarceration. However, the practical steps differ from opening an account on the outside. You cannot walk into a branch, and most banks will not let you do it by mail alone. The most common route is through a third party — usually a family member, a commissary service, or the facility itself if it has a banking partnership.
What you can actually do with the account once it is open matters more than opening it. You can receive deposits from family members, earn money from prison work programs, and in most cases withdraw funds through commissary or release. You cannot make purchases online, write checks, or use a debit card while incarcerated. The account exists mainly to hold money safely rather than to spend it.
Key Takeaways
- Most incarcerated people open accounts through a family member who acts as a representative, or through a commissary service that the facility contracts with.
- The bank will require proof of identity and a physical address, which your family member or the facility can provide on your behalf.
- You can receive deposits and earn money from prison work, but you cannot use a debit card, write checks, or make online purchases while inside.
- Some facilities offer banking services directly through partnerships with specific banks, which is faster than opening an account on your own.
- When you are released, you can access the account normally and use it like any other bank account.
Opening an account through a family member or representative
The most straightforward way to open an account is to have a family member or trusted person on the outside do it for you. They go to a bank branch with your information and request an account in your name. The bank will ask for your full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number. They will also need a physical address — your family member can use their own address or the facility's address, depending on what the bank accepts.
You do not need to be present. The representative does not need power of attorney or a legal document in most cases, though some banks ask for a letter from you stating that the person is opening the account on your behalf. Call the bank ahead of time and ask what they require for an incarcerated person. Requirements vary by bank and by state.
Once the account is open, your family member receives the debit card and can deposit money into it. They can also set up direct deposit if you receive income from a prison job. You will not have access to the card while incarcerated, but the money is there and waiting for you when you are released.
Using commissary services and facility banking partnerships
Many facilities contract with commissary companies or banks that offer accounts specifically designed for incarcerated people. These services let you deposit money directly through the facility's system, usually by having family members send funds to a commissary account. The money then moves into your bank account or stays in commissary credit that you can spend on canteen items.
Common commissary providers include JPay, Securus, and facility-specific programs. These services charge fees — typically a few dollars per transaction — but they handle the banking mechanics for you. You do not need a family member to open anything. Instead, you request an account through the facility's commissary office, and the provider sets it up. Your family members can fund it online or by mail.
The advantage is speed and simplicity. The disadvantage is the fees and the fact that the money may be held in commissary credit rather than a true bank account. When you are released, you may need to transfer the balance to a regular bank account, or the commissary company may issue you a prepaid card with the remaining balance.
What identification and documents you will need
Banks require proof of identity to open any account. If you are incarcerated, your state ID or driver's license serves this purpose. Your family member will bring it to the bank along with your Social Security number. If you do not have an ID, the facility can issue you a state ID card, though the process takes time. Ask your facility's records office how to request one.
You will also need a physical address. This can be the facility's mailing address, your family member's address, or a residential address you plan to use after release. The bank will send statements and cards to this address. If you use the facility's address, mail will arrive at the facility's mailroom and be delivered to you. If you use a family member's address, they will receive your statements and cards.
Some banks ask for a letter from you or a facility official confirming that you are incarcerated and that the person opening the account is doing so on your behalf. This is not always required, but it speeds things up. Ask the bank what they need before your family member goes in.
Restrictions on what you can do while incarcerated
Once the account is open, you can receive money and hold it, but you cannot spend it the way you would on the outside. You cannot use a debit card to make purchases, cannot write checks, and cannot access online banking to transfer money or pay bills. These restrictions exist because the facility controls what you can do and what you can access.
What you can do is request withdrawals through the facility's commissary or business office. If you need cash or want to move money to a different account, you submit a request and the facility processes it. The timeline varies — some facilities handle it in days, others take weeks. You can also receive money from family members and earn money from prison work programs, which deposits directly into your account.
When you are released, all restrictions lift. The account becomes a normal bank account. You can use the debit card, set up online banking, transfer money, and do everything else a regular account holder can do.
Preparing your account for release
Before you are released, contact the bank and update your address. If statements have been going to the facility, change it to your release address or a family member's address. Ask the bank to send you a new debit card to that address so it arrives before or shortly after you get out.
If you opened the account through a family member, confirm with them that they will not need access to it after your release. Some banks allow a representative to be removed from the account once you are released and can manage it yourself. Others require you to visit a branch in person to take full control. Call ahead and ask what the process is.
If you have money in commissary credit rather than a bank account, ask the facility what happens to it when you are released. Some commissary services issue a prepaid card with the balance. Others require you to withdraw it in cash before you leave. Know this before your release date so there are no surprises.
Banks that work with incarcerated people
Most major banks will open an account for an incarcerated person if a family member requests it on your behalf. Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and regional banks typically allow this. Credit unions often have fewer restrictions and may be more willing to work with you. Call the bank's customer service line and ask directly whether they open accounts for incarcerated people and what documents they need.
Some banks have specific policies that make the process easier. For example, some allow a family member to open an account with just your name and Social Security number, while others require more documentation. A few banks have worked with state prison systems to create accounts specifically for incarcerated people, which streamlines the process.
If a mainstream bank turns you down, ask your facility whether it has a banking partnership. Many state and federal facilities have contracts with specific banks or commissary services. Using the facility's partner is often faster and requires fewer documents because the bank already understands the incarcerated population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a bank account if I do not have a Social Security number?
Most banks require a Social Security number to open an account. If you do not have one, contact your facility's records office about explore for one. The process takes several weeks. Some banks may accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead, but this is rare. Call ahead and ask.
What happens to my account if I am transferred to a different facility?
Your bank account stays open and active. Money in it remains yours. You can still receive deposits and request withdrawals at your new facility. If your new facility uses a different commissary service, you may need to set up a new commissary account there, but your bank account itself does not change.
Can I use my account to pay for legal fees or send money to family members?
You can request a withdrawal from your account and have the facility issue a check or money order to a lawyer or family member. The process and timeline depend on your facility's rules. Some facilities allow this freely; others require approval or have limits on how much you can send out per month. Ask your facility's business office what is allowed.
What if my family member loses the debit card before I am released?
Contact the bank and report the card lost. The bank will cancel it and issue a replacement to the address on file. This takes a few days to a week. Your money is safe — the card is just a way to access it. When you are released, you can request a new card or visit a branch to withdraw cash.
Do I need to close the account when I am released?
No. You can keep the account open and use it after release. If you want to close it, you can do so at any time by visiting a branch or calling the bank. There is no requirement to close it just because you were incarcerated.