The three ways to send money to an inmate

You can put money on an inmate's account through the facility's commissary system, a third-party money transfer service, or by mailing a check or money order directly to the facility. The method depends on which facility holds the inmate, what that facility accepts, and how quickly you need the money to arrive. Most facilities use one of two systems: they either process transfers themselves or contract with a company like JPay, Securus, or GTL to handle all money transfers.

The fastest route is usually the facility's contracted money transfer service, which can post funds within hours. Direct mail takes one to three weeks. Sending money through the facility itself (if they accept it) typically takes three to five business days. Before you send anything, you need the inmate's full legal name, their booking number or inmate ID, and the name and location of the facility where they are held.

Key Takeaways

  • Most facilities contract with a third-party money transfer company, and you must use that company—sending money directly to the facility often will not work.
  • You can find which company your facility uses by calling the facility directly, visiting its website, or searching the inmate's name in the company's database.
  • Money transfer services charge fees ranging from $1 to $10 per transaction, depending on the company and the amount sent.
  • Mailing a check or money order to the facility is free but takes one to three weeks and requires you to include the inmate's full name and booking number on the envelope.
  • Once money is deposited, the inmate can use it to buy commissary items, pay for phone calls, or cover court fees, depending on facility rules.

Finding out which money transfer service your facility uses

Call the facility's main number and ask which company processes inmate deposits. The staff member who answers can tell you the name of the service and direct you to their website or phone number. Write down the exact name—JPay, Securus, GTL, Paypal, and Venmo are common, but some facilities use regional services you may not recognize.

If you cannot reach the facility by phone, visit its official website. Most facilities list their money transfer vendor on the inmate services or commissary page. If the website does not say, search the inmate's name directly in the money transfer company's database. JPay and Securus both allow you to search by inmate name and facility location; if the inmate appears in their system, that is your answer.

Using a third-party money transfer service

Go to the money transfer company's website or download their app. Create an account using your email address and a password. Search for the inmate by name and facility, or enter their booking number if you have it. Select the amount you want to send—most services allow deposits from $5 to $500 per transaction, though limits vary by facility.

Enter your payment method. Most services accept debit cards, credit cards, and bank accounts. You will be charged a fee at checkout; this fee goes to the money transfer company, not to the facility. Fees typically range from $1.50 to $10 depending on the company, the amount sent, and how fast you want the money to post. Standard processing takes a few hours to one business day. Expedited options (if available) may post within minutes but cost more.

After you complete the transaction, you will receive a confirmation number. The money will appear in the inmate's account under their name. Some services send the inmate a notification; others do not. If you need to confirm the deposit went through, call the facility and ask them to check the inmate's account balance.

Mailing money directly to the facility

Write a check or purchase a money order in the amount you want to send. On the memo line or the back, write the inmate's full legal name and their booking number. Do not write the amount on the envelope itself.

Address the envelope to the facility's business office or inmate services department. The address should look like this: [Inmate Full Name], Booking #[number], [Facility Name], [Street Address], [City, State, ZIP]. Call the facility first to confirm the correct mailing address and the name of the department that processes deposits—some facilities have a specific mailbox for inmate funds.

Mail the check or money order via regular mail. It will take one to three weeks to arrive and be processed. Once the facility receives and deposits it, the money will appear in the inmate's account. There is no fee for this method, but the delay means the inmate cannot access the money immediately. Keep a copy of the check or money order receipt for your records.

What happens after the money is deposited

Once the money reaches the inmate's account, they can use it according to facility rules. In most facilities, inmates can spend commissary funds on food, hygiene items, clothing, and electronics like tablets or headphones. Some facilities allow inmates to use account money to pay for phone calls, video visits, or court filing fees. A few facilities let inmates transfer money to other inmates or withdraw it as cash upon release.

The inmate does not receive the money as cash. Instead, it sits in their account as a balance, and they draw from it when they make purchases or pay fees. The facility controls what can be bought and at what prices—commissary prices are often higher than outside retail. Some facilities cap how much an inmate can spend per week or per transaction.

Fees and limits you should know

Money transfer companies charge a fee per transaction, not per dollar sent. Sending $10 costs the same fee as sending $100 with most services. Fees range from $1.50 to $10, depending on the company and the speed of delivery. Some companies offer discounts if you set up recurring deposits or if you send larger amounts.

Most facilities set a maximum balance an inmate can hold in their account—often $500 to $2,000. If the inmate's balance is already at the limit, the deposit will be rejected or held until the balance drops. Some facilities also limit how much can be deposited per month. Call the facility or check the money transfer company's website to find out what limits apply.

There is no fee for mailing a check or money order, but the trade-off is time. If the inmate needs money urgently—for a phone call, a legal fee, or commissary—mailing is not an option.

What to do if the money does not arrive

If you sent money through a third-party service and it has been more than one business day, log into your account and check the transaction status. Most services show whether the money is pending, posted, or rejected. If it shows posted but the inmate says they do not see it, call the facility and ask them to check the inmate's account balance directly. Sometimes there is a delay between when the company reports the deposit and when the facility's system updates.

If the transaction shows rejected, the most common reasons are: the inmate's booking number was wrong, the inmate is no longer at that facility, the facility's account balance limit has been reached, or the facility does not accept deposits from that company. Contact the money transfer company's customer service line to find out why it was rejected. They can tell you whether to try again with corrected information or whether the facility has a restriction.

If you mailed a check or money order and it has been more than three weeks, call the facility and provide them with the date you mailed it and the amount. Ask them to search their records for an unprocessed deposit. If they cannot find it, the mail may have been lost. You can stop payment on the original check or money order and send a new one, or switch to a money transfer service for faster delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send money to an inmate at a federal prison?

Yes, but federal facilities use a different system than county jails or state prisons. Federal inmates receive money through the Federal Bureau of Prisons' inmate trust fund system. Call the facility or visit the BOP website to find the correct mailing address or money transfer method for that specific prison. The process is similar, but the address and procedures differ.

What if the inmate is in a facility in another state?

The process is the same. Call the out-of-state facility to find out which money transfer company they use, or mail a check to their business office. Money transfer services work across state lines. The only difference is that mail may take slightly longer to arrive depending on distance.

Can I get the money back if the inmate is released or transferred?

No. Once money is deposited into an inmate's account, it belongs to them. If they are released, they can withdraw the remaining balance or it may be given to them as they leave. If they are transferred to another facility, the money usually transfers with them, but call both facilities to confirm. You cannot reclaim money you have already sent.

Do I need to be related to the inmate to send money?

No. Anyone can send money to an inmate's account. You do not need to prove a relationship or provide permission from the inmate. You only need their name, booking number, and the facility name.

What if I do not know the inmate's booking number?

Call the facility and give them the inmate's full legal name and date of birth. They will provide the booking number. You can also search for the inmate in the money transfer company's database using just their name and facility location—most systems will find them without a booking number, though having it speeds up the search.