Free Guide to Sending Money to Incarcerated Individuals

Understanding the Prison Money System and How Deposits Work

When someone you know is incarcerated, getting money to them isn't as simple as handing them cash. Every correctional facility—whether state prison, federal penitentiary, or county jail—operates its own system for how incarcerated people can receive and use money. The money doesn't go directly into their pocket. Instead, it goes into an account, sometimes called a commissary account, trust account, or inmate account, depending on where the person is held.

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Think of it like a jail-specific bank account. The incarcerated person can use this account balance to purchase items from the commissary (the prison store), pay for phone calls, send money to family through releases, or cover court costs and fines. The account also receives money from work wages if the person has a job inside the facility. Understanding how this system works is the first step to sending money without delays or rejections.

The critical detail is that each facility has different rules. A prison in one state might use one company to handle deposits, while a prison across the border uses another. A county jail might have completely different procedures than a state prison. There's no single national system—which is why researching the specific location matters so much.

Money deposits typically take anywhere from one business day to one week to show up in the account, depending on the method you use and the facility's processing speed. Some facilities charge fees for deposits; others don't. Some allow deposits via phone, online, or in person, but not all three. Getting these details right means your money reaches the person when they're expecting it, without unexpected costs eating into what you wanted to send.

Practical takeaway: Before sending any money, look up the specific facility where the person is held and find their official deposit procedures. Don't assume—verify.

Finding Your Facility's Money Deposit System and Service Provider

Your first task is identifying which facility holds the person you want to send money to. This sounds basic, but people sometimes send money to the wrong location because a person was transferred and the family didn't know. Start by confirming the exact facility name, location, and booking number if you have it.

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Once you know the facility, visit its official website. Most state corrections departments and county sheriff departments have websites that list inmate information systems. Search for the person's name and booking number to see where they're currently held. This same website usually contains information about money deposits.

Many facilities contract with third-party money services. The big ones include JPay, Global Tel Link (GTL), Securus, CorrLinks, and TouchPay. These companies run the money deposit systems for hundreds of facilities nationwide. Some facilities use more than one service provider, meaning you might have multiple options for how to send money. Other facilities use only their own in-house system, usually managed through the corrections department directly.

Finding the right service provider involves checking several places. The facility's official website usually lists which company processes deposits and provides a direct link. You can also call the facility's business office directly and ask which service provider they use. A third option is checking the inmate information lookup system—these often display the accepted deposit methods right next to the person's booking information.

Once you identify the service provider, visit their website directly. Each company has different fees, deposit methods, and processing times. JPay, for example, might charge $1.50 for a deposit, while another service might charge $2.50 or nothing at all. Some services allow free bank transfers that take 3-5 business days, while the same service charges a fee for deposits that post overnight.

Practical takeaway: Write down the facility name, the service provider, their website, and the deposit options available. Keep this information handy—you'll reference it each time you send money.

The Different Ways to Send Money and What Each Method Costs

The method you choose affects when the money arrives, what fees you'll pay, and how convenient the process is. Most facilities offer between two and four deposit options, and understanding each one matters for your budget and timeline.

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Online deposits through the service provider's website: This is usually the fastest and most convenient option if you have a bank account and internet access. You log into the service provider's website, enter the person's booking or inmate number, and transfer money from your checking or savings account. Processing times vary—some process within hours, others take one to three business days. Fees typically range from $0 to $2.50 per transaction. This is the option most people use because it's available 24/7 and requires no travel.

Phone-based deposits: You call the service provider's automated system or speak with a representative and provide your payment information over the phone. This works if you don't have internet access or prefer not to enter banking details online. Phone deposits usually process in the same timeframe as online deposits, and fees are typically the same or slightly higher (sometimes $1 to $3 extra). Wait times for a representative can be long, especially during business hours.

In-person deposits at the facility: Most jails and some prisons allow you to walk in and deposit money directly. You bring cash or a check, fill out a form with the person's information, and hand it to a cashier. These deposits often post the same day or within 24 hours. There's usually no fee, making this the cheapest option if you can travel to the facility. However, not all facilities accept in-person deposits, and visiting hours for deposits may be limited. Some facilities only allow deposits during certain times on certain days.

Mail-in deposits: You can mail a check or money order with a completed deposit form to the facility's business office. This is free but slow—expect one to two weeks for the money to appear in the account. The money order fee (typically $0.50 to $1.50) is your only cost. This option works if you're not in a hurry and want to avoid service provider fees entirely. The risk is mail delays or lost documents, so use tracking if possible.

Third-party deposit services: Some communities have local money service businesses that partner with prison money systems. You give them cash, they deposit it into the account for a fee. This is useful if you don't have a bank account or internet access, but fees are usually higher than direct methods.

Compare costs across methods before deciding. Sending $50 might cost $1 through one method and $2 through another. Over time and multiple deposits, these differences add up. Also consider timing—if someone needs money this week, overnight delivery is worth more than free mail-in service.

Practical takeaway: List the available deposit methods for your facility and their fees, then choose based on both cost and how quickly the person needs the money.

Understanding Fees, Limits, and What Your Money Can Actually Be Used For

Prison money systems aren't free to operate, so facilities and service providers charge fees at various points. Understanding where these charges occur helps you budget accurately.

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Service provider fees are the most obvious. When you use JPay, GTL, or another third-party company, they charge a processing fee per deposit. These fees range from free to $3, depending on the company and the deposit method. A $50 deposit might cost $50 plus $2, so the person receives $50 in their account but you paid $52 total. Some companies offer discounts if you set up recurring deposits or send larger amounts.

The incarcerated person might also face fees when using their money. For example, some facilities charge a fee each time someone makes a commissary purchase or places a phone call. These aren't fees you pay directly, but they reduce the balance available for spending. A $50 deposit might cost $1 to process (the facility's internal fee), leaving $49 usable. Phone call fees are separate and can be high—$0.50 to $5 per minute, depending on the facility and whether calls are in-state or long-distance.

Most facilities set deposit limits per transaction, per day, or per month. A common limit is $100 to $300 per deposit, with a monthly cap of $500 to $1,000. Some facilities have no limit. If you're sending money for a specific purpose like a lawyer's fees or medical care, these limits might require you to make multiple deposits over time. Check your facility's specific limits before assuming you can deposit a large sum at once.

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