Learn About Commissary Deposit Programs for Inmates

Understanding Commissary Deposit Programs: What They Are and How They Work

Commissary deposit programs allow people outside a correctional facility to send money to inmates so they can purchase items from the prison or jail commissary store. These programs operate in most state and federal correctional facilities across the United States, though specific rules and procedures vary by location.

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The commissary is essentially a store within the prison or jail where inmates can buy items like hygiene products, snacks, writing supplies, clothing, and other personal goods. Inmates typically don't receive regular paychecks unless they work in prison jobs, and even then wages are often very low—sometimes just a few dollars per month. This means that without outside support through commissary deposits, many inmates cannot purchase basic necessities beyond what the facility provides.

Commissary deposit programs serve an important function for inmate welfare and facility operations. When inmates can purchase their own hygiene items, they tend to maintain better health standards. Access to approved snacks and personal items also reduces tension and behavioral problems within facilities. For these reasons, most correctional systems have established formal processes for receiving and managing these deposits.

The money sent through commissary programs is held in an inmate account. The inmate can then use this account balance to make purchases at the commissary, which typically operates on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Some facilities also allow inmates to use commissary funds for other purposes, such as paying for phone calls, copying legal documents, or making bail payments, depending on facility policy.

Understanding how your specific facility's commissary program works is essential before sending money. Each correctional system—whether state, federal, or local—maintains its own rules about deposit methods, fees, spending limits, and what items inmates can purchase. Taking time to learn these details prevents money from being rejected or delayed.

Practical Takeaway: Before sending any money, contact your inmate's facility directly or check their website to confirm that a commissary deposit program exists and to learn their specific procedures.

How to Send Money: Deposit Methods and Procedures

Most correctional facilities now offer multiple ways to deposit money into an inmate's commissary account. The most common methods include phone deposits, online deposits, mail deposits, and in-person deposits at facility kiosks. Each method has different procedures, timelines, and sometimes different fees.

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Online deposits have become the most popular method at many facilities. Family members or friends can create an account on the facility's designated payment website, enter the inmate's information, and transfer money using a credit card, debit card, or bank account. Processing times typically range from one to three business days, though some systems offer expedited processing for an additional fee. Online deposits usually charge a service fee between $1.50 and $3.95 per transaction, which varies by the payment processor the facility contracts with.

Phone deposits work similarly to online deposits but allow people to deposit money by calling a specific phone number. A representative guides the caller through providing the inmate's information and payment details. Phone deposits may have slightly higher fees than online deposits because they require customer service staff to process them. These calls are usually answered during business hours and sometimes evenings or weekends, depending on facility staffing.

Mail deposits involve sending a check or money order to a specific address designated by the facility. This method is free or nearly free but takes significantly longer—typically seven to fourteen business days for processing. Some facilities no longer accept mail deposits because they prefer the faster, more trackable electronic methods. It's important to never send cash through the mail, as it can be lost or stolen.

In-person deposits at facility kiosks allow visitors to deposit cash during visitation hours. These kiosks are typically located in the visitation area or lobby. Cash deposits are immediate, though the money may not appear in the inmate's account until the next business day. Some facilities charge a small fee for kiosk deposits, while others do not.

Third-party payment services have also emerged, allowing deposits through retail locations like convenience stores or grocery stores. These services charge fees and may take slightly longer to process, but they provide an option for people without bank accounts or internet access.

Practical Takeaway: Compare the deposit methods your facility offers by checking their official website or calling their business office. Choose the method that works best for your situation—considering speed, cost, and convenience—then follow their exact instructions to avoid delays or rejection.

Fees, Limits, and Account Rules You Should Know

Commissary deposit programs involve several financial aspects that impact how much money actually reaches the inmate's account. Understanding fees, deposit limits, and spending caps helps you make informed decisions about when and how much to send.

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Transaction fees are charged by the payment processor for each deposit. These fees typically range from $1.50 to $3.95 per transaction and are usually deducted from the amount deposited. This means if you send $50, the inmate might only receive $46 to $48 in their account after fees. Some facilities have negotiated flat fees, while others charge a percentage of the deposit amount. A few facilities have partnered with payment processors that waive fees for deposits over a certain amount, such as $25 or $50.

Deposit limits vary significantly by facility. Some correctional systems set monthly limits, such as a maximum of $200 or $300 per month. Others set per-transaction limits, allowing multiple deposits but capping each one at $50 or $100. A few facilities have no deposit limits at all. These limits exist partly to control facility expenses and partly to prevent inmates from accumulating excessive amounts of money that could be used for prohibited purposes like bribery or drug purchases.

Spending limits also differ by facility. Even if an inmate receives multiple large deposits, some facilities cap how much can be spent per commissary day or per week. For example, an inmate might be limited to spending only $30 per week at commissary, even if they have $500 in their account. These limits ensure that commissary stock is distributed fairly and that no single inmate monopolizes available items.

Account balances are typically not forfeited when an inmate is transferred to another facility within the same correctional system, though processing the transfer may take several days. However, if an inmate is released or transferred to a different state's system, the rules about what happens to their remaining balance vary widely. Some systems return unspent balances to the sender, while others hold the balance for a limited time or donate it to institutional funds. This is an important detail to understand before sending large amounts of money.

Some facilities charge additional fees beyond transaction fees. These might include account maintenance fees, statement fees, or fees for specific services like expedited processing. Reading the facility's complete fee schedule helps you understand the total cost of commissary deposits.

Practical Takeaway: Before making your first deposit, obtain the complete fee and limit information from your facility's official commissary program documentation, then calculate what percentage of your deposit will go toward fees versus the inmate's account balance.

What Items Can Be Purchased and Restrictions to Consider

Commissary stores in correctional facilities carry a limited selection compared to regular retail stores, and strict rules govern what can be purchased. Understanding these restrictions prevents frustration and prevents sending money that cannot be used as intended.

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Hygiene and personal care items are typically among the most commonly purchased commissary goods. These include soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, shaving cream, lotion, feminine hygiene products, and hair care products. These items are essential because while facilities provide basic hygiene supplies, inmates often prefer to choose their own brands or have specific needs that standard facility supplies don't meet. Quality and quantity of provided hygiene items vary by facility and often fall short of inmate needs.

Snack foods and beverages make up a large portion of commissary sales. Inmates can typically purchase items like instant ramen noodles, peanut butter, crackers, cookies, candy, coffee, hot chocolate, powdered drinks, and canned or packaged foods. Portion sizes and nutritional value of facility meals vary widely, and many inmates supplement with commissary snacks. Some facilities restrict high-sugar items or limit quantities, and most prohibit items that could ferment or be used to create weapons.

Clothing and footwear items may be available through some commissary systems, though this varies considerably. Some inmates can purchase additional socks, underwear, t-shirts, thermal clothing, or shoes. Others must rely entirely on what the facility provides.