What you need to create a JailatM account
JailatM is the online account system run by the Jail Administration Information Management (JAIM) platform, used primarily by people with incarcerated family members to send money, check balances, and manage commissary accounts. To create an account, you need a valid email address, a phone number where you can receive a verification code, and basic personal information including your full name and date of birth.
You do not need to be related to the incarcerated person to open an account—you can fund someone else's commissary or phone account if you have their inmate number and the facility name. However, some facilities restrict who can send money or set limits on how much can be deposited per transaction or per month, so check your specific jail's rules before you start.
The account itself is free to create. JailatM and third-party money transfer services do charge fees when you actually send money—typically between $1.50 and $3.95 per transaction depending on the payment method and facility—but opening the account costs nothing.
Key Takeaways
- You need an email address, phone number, and the inmate's full name and number to create a JailatM account.
- JailatM sends a verification code to your phone during signup; you must enter it to complete registration.
- After your account is active, you can add a payment method (debit card, credit card, or bank account) and send money to the inmate's commissary or phone account.
- Transaction fees vary by facility and payment method, ranging from $1.50 to $3.95 per deposit.
- Money typically appears in the inmate's account within one to three business days, though some facilities process deposits the same day.
Step-by-step account creation
Go to the JailatM website or download the JailatM mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. On the homepage, select "Create Account" or "Sign Up." You will be asked to enter your email address, create a password (usually requiring at least 8 characters, one uppercase letter, one number, and one special character), and confirm your password.
Next, enter your full name, date of birth, and phone number. JailatM will send a six-digit verification code to the phone number you provided. Open the text message and enter that code into the app or website to confirm you own the phone number. If you do not receive the code within two minutes, request a new one—it will arrive within another minute or two.
Once your phone is verified, you will be asked to enter the inmate's information: their full name, inmate number (also called a booking number or DOC number depending on the facility), and the name of the facility where they are held. Double-check the inmate number and facility name against any paperwork you have, because entering the wrong information will link your account to the wrong person and your money will go to the wrong place.
After you submit the inmate's information, JailatM will confirm that the person exists in that facility's system. If the search returns no results, the inmate may be held at a different facility than you think, or their name may be spelled differently in the system. Contact the facility's booking line to verify the correct spelling and location before trying again.
Adding a payment method
Once your account is created and verified, you can add a way to pay. JailatM accepts debit cards, credit cards, and bank account transfers (ACH). To add a card, enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit security code on the back). For a bank account, you will need your routing number and account number.
Some payment methods carry different fees. Debit cards and credit cards typically cost $2.95 per transaction at most facilities, while ACH transfers (which take one to three business days to process) may cost $1.50 or less. Check the fee schedule for your specific facility before you choose a payment method, because fees vary by location.
JailatM may place a small temporary hold on your account (usually $0.01 to $1.00) to verify the card or bank account is real. This hold is released within a few business days and is not a charge.
Sending money after your account is active
Once your payment method is saved, you can send money to the inmate's commissary account, phone account, or both. Select the account type, enter the amount, and confirm the transaction. The money will be deducted from your card or bank account immediately, but it may take one to three business days to appear in the inmate's account—some facilities process deposits the same day, while others batch them and process once daily.
You can set up recurring deposits if you want to send money on a regular schedule (weekly, biweekly, or monthly). You can also pause or cancel recurring deposits at any time through your account settings.
Keep your login credentials safe. Anyone with access to your email and password can log into your account and send money from your linked payment method. Do not share your password, and log out after each session if you are using a shared device.
What to do if account creation fails
If JailatM cannot find the inmate in the system, the most common reasons are a misspelled name, an incorrect inmate number, or the person being held at a different facility. Call the facility's main booking line and ask for the inmate's full legal name, inmate number, and current housing location. Spelling matters—a name like "Jon" versus "John" or "Smith" versus "Smythe" will cause the search to fail.
If you enter the wrong information and your account links to the wrong inmate, contact JailatM customer support through the app or website. You can request to unlink that inmate and link the correct one, though this may take a few business days to process.
If you do not receive the phone verification code, check that you entered your phone number correctly. If the number is correct and you still do not receive the code, try requesting it again—sometimes the first attempt fails due to network delays. If a second attempt does not work, contact JailatM support and they can verify your phone number through other means.
Protecting your account and payment information
Use a strong, unique password that you do not use on other websites. If your email address is compromised, someone could reset your JailatM password and access your account. Consider using a password manager to generate and store a complex password.
Enable two-factor authentication if JailatM offers it (check your account settings). This adds an extra step—usually a code sent to your phone—when you log in from a new device, making it much harder for someone else to access your account even if they have your password.
Do not share your login information with anyone, including facility staff or other family members. If someone else needs to send money to the same inmate, they should create their own separate account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create an account if I do not know the inmate's exact number?
No, JailatM requires an inmate number to link your account to the correct person. Call the facility's booking line and provide the inmate's full name and date of birth; they will give you the number. Without it, your account will not be able to send money to the right person.
What happens if I enter the wrong facility name?
JailatM will not find the inmate and the account creation will fail at the verification step. Go back and enter the correct facility name. If you are unsure which facility the person is in, contact the county or state corrections department and ask for the inmate locator tool.
Can I change the inmate linked to my account after I create it?
Yes, but the process varies by facility. Contact JailatM customer support through the app or website and request to unlink the current inmate and link a different one. Some facilities allow this immediately; others require a waiting period or additional verification.
Do I need a separate account for each inmate I want to send money to?
It depends on the facility. Some JailatM systems allow one account to manage multiple inmates; others require a separate account for each person. Check your facility's specific rules or contact JailatM support to confirm.
Is my payment information safe on JailatM?
JailatM uses encryption to protect your card and bank account information during transmission. However, like any online account, your security depends partly on your password strength and whether you log out after each session. Do not use public Wi-Fi to access your account, and do not save your password in your browser.