What commissary deposits are and how they work

A commissary deposit is money you send to someone in prison or jail so they can buy items from the prison store — things like hygiene products, snacks, phone cards, or clothing. The money goes into an account held by the facility, not given directly to the person. They use a PIN or account number to make purchases from the commissary, and the balance appears on their account statement.

Most facilities use a third-party vendor to manage these accounts. The vendor collects deposits from outside, holds the money, and processes purchases. Common vendors include JPay, Securus, GTL (Global Tel*Link), and Keefe Commissary Network, though which one handles your facility depends on the state prison system or local jail. The vendor's website or phone line is where you actually send the money — not directly to the prison.

Deposits can be made by debit card, credit card, or bank transfer through the vendor's website or phone system. Some vendors also accept cash deposits at retail locations like Walmart or CVS, though this method usually costs more in fees. The money typically appears in the account within one to three business days, though some vendors offer expedited deposits for an extra fee.

Key Takeaways

  • Commissary money goes to a vendor account, not the prison itself, and the person uses it to buy items from the prison store.
  • You must find out which vendor your facility uses — this information is on the prison or jail's website or by calling the facility directly.
  • Deposits are made through the vendor's website or phone line using a debit card, credit card, or bank transfer, and usually arrive within one to three business days.
  • Each facility sets its own deposit limits and rules about what items can be purchased, so check the specific rules before sending money.
  • Fees vary by vendor and deposit method — credit card deposits often cost more than bank transfers or cash deposits at retail locations.

Finding the correct vendor for the facility

The first step is identifying which company manages commissary for the specific prison or jail. This information is usually on the facility's official website under "Inmate Services" or "Commissary." If the website does not list it, call the facility's main number and ask for the commissary department or inmate services office. They will tell you the vendor name and provide a phone number or website.

Once you have the vendor name, go to their website directly — do not search for a third-party site that claims to process deposits. Scam sites exist that charge high fees and may not deliver the money. The official vendor sites are JPay.com, Securus.com, GTLconnect.com, and KeefeCom.com. Each has a search function where you enter the facility name or inmate number to locate the correct account.

If you cannot find the vendor online, call the facility again and ask for the vendor's phone number. Many vendors also have customer service lines that can help you set up a deposit if you have the inmate's name and facility location.

Deposit methods and how long money takes to arrive

Most vendors offer three main ways to deposit money. Credit or debit card is the fastest and most common — you enter the card information on the vendor's website or phone system, and the deposit processes immediately, though it may take one to three business days to show in the inmate account. Credit card deposits usually carry a fee of $1 to $3 per transaction.

Bank transfer or ACH (Automated Clearing House) is cheaper — fees are typically $0.50 to $1 — but takes longer, usually three to five business days. You provide your bank account and routing number to the vendor, and they pull the money directly from your account. Cash deposits at retail locations like Walmart, CVS, or MoneyGram are available through some vendors and avoid card fees, but the retail location charges a service fee (usually $2 to $5) and the money still takes one to three days to reach the account.

Some vendors offer expedited deposits for an extra fee — typically $5 to $10 — that can get money into the account the same day or next business day. This is useful if the person needs something urgently, but it costs more. Check the vendor's website for which speed options are available for your facility.

Deposit limits and what can be purchased

Each facility sets its own rules about how much money can be deposited at one time and how much can be in the account at once. Some prisons cap deposits at $50 or $100 per transaction, while others allow $200 or more. Some facilities limit the total account balance to $300 or $500. These limits vary widely, so check the facility's commissary rules or ask the vendor before depositing.

Not all items can be purchased with commissary money. Most facilities restrict purchases to hygiene products, clothing, snacks, writing supplies, and phone cards. Items like alcohol, weapons, drugs, or anything that could be used to harm someone are prohibited. Some facilities also restrict certain brands or limit how many of one item can be purchased. The facility's commissary list or the vendor's website will show what is available for purchase.

Money in a commissary account does not earn interest and cannot be withdrawn as cash. If the person is released, transferred to another facility, or the account goes inactive, the money may be returned to you or held by the facility — rules vary. Ask the vendor or facility what happens to unused funds before you deposit.

Fees and what they cover

Vendors charge fees for processing deposits, and these fees come out of the money you send — they reduce what actually reaches the inmate account. A $50 deposit with a $2 fee means only $48 goes into the account. Fee amounts depend on the deposit method and vendor, but here is what to expect: debit or credit card deposits typically cost $1.50 to $3 per transaction; bank transfers cost $0.50 to $1; cash deposits at retail locations cost $2 to $5 at the retail location plus a vendor processing fee; and expedited same-day or next-day deposits cost an additional $5 to $10.

Some vendors also charge monthly account maintenance fees or inactivity fees if no deposits are made for a certain period. Check the vendor's fee schedule on their website before making your first deposit so you know the total cost. The cheapest method is usually a bank transfer, which takes longer but has the lowest fees.

What happens if a deposit fails or money does not arrive

If you submit a deposit and it does not appear in the account after the expected time, contact the vendor's customer service line first. They can check whether the transaction was processed, whether it is still pending, or whether it was rejected. Common reasons for rejection include incorrect inmate information, a card that was declined, or a facility that is not accepting deposits at that moment.

If the vendor confirms the money was taken from your card or bank account but did not reach the inmate account, ask for a refund. Most vendors will refund failed transactions within five to ten business days, though some require you to file a dispute. Keep your receipt or confirmation number from the deposit so you can reference it when contacting customer service.

If you believe you were charged a fee in error or the vendor is not responding, you can dispute the charge with your bank or credit card company. Document the date, amount, and vendor name, and explain that the deposit did not reach the intended account. Your bank can reverse the charge if they find the vendor at fault.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit money for someone in a county jail, or only state prison?

County jails use commissary systems too, and the process is the same — you find out which vendor they use and deposit through that vendor's website or phone line. County jails sometimes use different vendors than state prisons in the same area, so always check the specific facility's website or call them directly.

What if the person I want to send money to does not have a commissary account yet?

Most facilities automatically create a commissary account when someone is booked in. You can deposit money using their name and inmate number, and the account will be set up if it does not exist. If you are unsure whether an account exists, call the facility or the vendor and they can check.

Can I send money anonymously, or does the person know it came from me?

The person will see the deposit in their account, and most systems show who sent it. If you want to remain anonymous, some vendors allow deposits without a name attached, but this is rare and varies by facility. Contact the vendor to ask whether anonymous deposits are an option.

What if I send money to the wrong facility or inmate by mistake?

Contact the vendor immediately and explain the error. If the money has not been spent, they may be able to redirect it or refund it to your card or bank account. The sooner you report the mistake, the better the chance of recovering the money.

Is there a limit to how often I can make deposits?

Most vendors do not limit how many deposits you can make per week or month, but individual facilities may have rules about this. Some facilities restrict deposits to once per week or once per month. Check the facility's commissary policy or ask the vendor whether there are frequency limits.