How money reaches an inmate's account
Money sent to an inmate goes into a commissary or trust account managed by the facility, not directly to the person. The inmate can then spend it on items sold by the prison or jail — typically snacks, hygiene products, phone time, and clothing — or use it to pay court fees or restitution. The facility controls what the money can be used for and takes a cut of each transaction.
The process differs by facility and state. Some prisons use a single vendor for all deposits; others let you send money multiple ways. You will need the inmate's full name, inmate number, and the facility name and location. Without the inmate number, the deposit may sit in a holding account or be rejected.
Deposits typically take three to seven business days to appear in the account, though some methods are faster. During that time, the money is not yet available to the inmate. If you send money to the wrong facility or with incomplete information, retrieving it can take weeks.
Key Takeaways
- Money deposited goes into a commissary account the inmate controls, not a personal bank account, and the facility takes a percentage of each transaction.
- You need the inmate's full legal name, inmate number, and the exact facility name — sending to the wrong location delays the deposit by weeks.
- Most facilities use a third-party vendor for deposits; you can usually pay by debit card, credit card, or bank transfer through their website or phone line.
- Deposits take three to seven business days to post, and the inmate cannot spend the money until it clears.
- Some facilities charge fees per transaction, and commissary items cost more than retail prices because the facility and vendor both take a cut.
Finding the right vendor for your facility
Most state and federal prisons contract with one of a few large vendors — JPay, Securus, GTL, or Keefe Commissary Network are the most common. County jails often use different vendors or allow deposits directly to the facility. The facility's website or inmate handbook lists which vendor they use and provides a link or phone number.
If you cannot find the vendor information online, call the facility's main number and ask for the commissary or inmate accounts department. They will tell you the vendor name and how to reach them. Do not assume two facilities in the same state use the same vendor — they often do not.
Once you know the vendor, you can deposit money through their website, mobile app, or phone line. Most accept debit cards and credit cards immediately. Some also accept bank transfers, which are cheaper but take longer. A few vendors charge a flat fee per deposit; others charge a percentage of the amount sent.
What information you need before depositing
Gather these details before you start: the inmate's full legal name (exactly as it appears in the system), their inmate or booking number, the facility name, and the facility location or state. Missing or incorrect information is the most common reason deposits fail or get stuck in a holding account.
The inmate number is critical. Facilities house hundreds or thousands of people, and a name alone is not enough. If you do not have the inmate number, contact the facility's records department or ask the inmate directly during a phone call or visit. Some facilities post inmate locators online where you can search by name and get the number.
Double-check the facility name and location before submitting payment. A deposit sent to "State Prison" instead of "State Correctional Institution" or to the wrong county may not reach the right person. The vendor's system will usually catch obvious errors, but misspellings or abbreviations can slip through.
Deposit methods and how long each takes
Most vendors offer three ways to deposit money: debit or credit card (instant or same-day), bank transfer (three to five business days), and in-person cash payment at a kiosk or retail location (instant). The method you choose affects both the speed and the cost.
Debit and credit card deposits are fastest and most common. The money is charged to your card immediately, but it takes three to seven business days to appear in the inmate's account because the vendor and facility process it in batches. Credit card companies may flag deposits to inmate accounts as cash advances or unusual activity, so use a debit card if possible.
Bank transfers are cheaper — vendors often charge no fee or a flat fee of one to two dollars — but take longer. You authorize a one-time transfer from your checking account, and the vendor deposits it into the inmate's account after the transfer clears, usually five to ten business days total. This method works best if you send money regularly and can plan ahead.
Some vendors operate kiosks at retail locations like Walmart or grocery stores where you can pay cash and the deposit posts within hours. This is useful if you do not have a bank account or credit card, but the locations are limited and may not exist near you.
Fees and what the inmate actually receives
The vendor charges a fee per deposit — typically two to three dollars for card payments or a percentage of the amount (usually two to five percent). The facility also takes a cut, often ten to twenty percent of each commissary purchase the inmate makes. This means if you send fifty dollars, the inmate may only be able to spend forty to forty-five dollars on commissary items.
Commissary prices are marked up significantly. A candy bar that costs one dollar in a store may cost two or three dollars in the prison commissary. Phone time is often the most expensive item — a fifteen-minute call may cost five to ten dollars. The inmate has no choice but to use the commissary if they want these items, so the markup is unavoidable.
Some facilities allow deposits to be used for other purposes — paying court-ordered restitution, child support, or facility fees — but the inmate does not control this. The facility may automatically deduct these amounts before the inmate can spend anything on commissary.
What happens if the deposit goes wrong
If you send money to the wrong facility or with incomplete information, it usually sits in a holding account for thirty to ninety days before being returned to your card or bank account. During that time, you cannot access the money and the inmate does not receive it. Contact the vendor immediately if you realize you made an error — they may be able to redirect the deposit if it has not been processed yet.
If the money is returned to your account, you will see the refund as a credit to your card or a transfer back to your bank account. This can take an additional five to ten business days. Once it is back, you can send it again with the correct information.
Some vendors allow you to set up a recurring deposit — money sent automatically each week or month. This is convenient but means you need to remember to cancel it if the inmate is released or transferred. Canceling usually takes one to two business days, so money may post one more time after you request cancellation.
Monitoring the account and setting limits
Most vendors let you create an online account where you can see your deposit history and the inmate's current balance. You log in with your email and a password, and the system shows deposits you have sent and when they posted. Some vendors also let you set a maximum balance — if the inmate's account reaches that amount, future deposits are blocked until the balance drops.
Setting a limit can prevent the inmate from accumulating large amounts of money, which some facilities discourage for security reasons. The limit is optional and you can change it anytime through your online account.
If you lose access to your account or forget your password, contact the vendor's customer service. They can verify your identity and reset your access. Keep your login information secure — anyone with access to your account can see the inmate's balance and deposit history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit money if I do not know the inmate number?
Most vendors require the inmate number to process a deposit. If you do not have it, call the facility's records or booking department and ask for it. Some facilities have online inmate locators where you can search by name. Without the number, your deposit will likely be rejected or held in a pending account.
What if the inmate is transferred to a different facility?
Money in the inmate's account usually transfers with them, but this varies by state and facility. Contact the new facility's commissary department to confirm the balance moved over. If it did not, you may need to request a transfer or send a new deposit to the new facility. Do not send money to the old facility after a transfer.
Can I get the money back if I change my mind?
Once a deposit posts to the inmate's account, you cannot reverse it. If the money has not yet posted (still in pending status), contact the vendor immediately to cancel. If it has already posted, the inmate must spend it or the facility may have a process to return unclaimed funds after release, but this is not may provide.
Do I pay taxes on money I send to an inmate?
No. Money you send is a personal gift or payment, not income to you or the inmate. You do not report it on your tax return. The inmate does not owe taxes on commissary purchases made with that money.
What if the vendor website is down or I cannot reach them?
Most vendors have backup phone lines and customer service available during business hours. If the website is down, try calling. If you cannot reach anyone and need to send money urgently, ask the facility if they accept direct deposits or cash payments at the commissary window. This is slower but may be an option if the vendor is unavailable.