What Jailatm.com Does and Who Runs It
Jailatm.com is a third-party vendor that lets you deposit money into an incarcerated person's commissary account from outside the jail. You send money through their website or phone system, and the funds go into an account the person can use to buy items at the jail's commissary — typically food, hygiene products, phone time, or clothing.
Jailatm.com does not run the jail itself. The actual commissary account lives with the jail facility. Jailatm.com is a payment processor that sits between you (the person sending money) and the jail's commissary system. The jail decides what items are for sale, what the prices are, and how the account works day-to-day.
Different jails contract with different vendors. Some use Jailatm.com, some use JPay, some use Securus, and some run their own systems. If you are sending money to someone in a specific jail, that jail will tell you which vendor to use — usually on their website or in a phone menu.
Key Takeaways
- Jailatm.com charges a fee (typically $1.50 to $3.95 per transaction) on top of the amount you send, and the fee varies by deposit method.
- Money deposited through Jailatm.com usually reaches the commissary account within one business day, though some jails process deposits overnight.
- You need the incarcerated person's full name and booking or inmate number to send money; the jail's website or a phone call will confirm which details are required.
- Jailatm.com accepts credit cards, debit cards, and bank transfers, but not all payment methods are available for every jail.
- The incarcerated person cannot withdraw cash from commissary funds; the money can only be spent on items the jail's commissary sells.
How to Send Money Through Jailatm.com
Start by going to jailatm.com or calling their phone line (the number is usually listed on the jail's website). You will need to enter the jail name or facility code, then the incarcerated person's full name and booking or inmate number. Some jails also require a date of birth or case number.
Once you have entered the person's information, the system will show you the current balance in their commissary account (if one exists) and let you choose a deposit amount. You then select your payment method — debit card, credit card, or bank account transfer — and complete the transaction. Jailatm.com will charge a fee on top of your deposit amount; this fee does not go into the commissary account and cannot be refunded.
After you complete the deposit, you will receive a confirmation number. Keep this number in case you need to track the transaction or contact customer service. The money typically appears in the commissary account within one business day, though some facilities process overnight deposits and show the balance the next morning.
Fees and Payment Methods
Jailatm.com charges a transaction fee that varies depending on how you pay and which jail you are sending to. Debit card and credit card deposits typically cost $1.50 to $3.95 per transaction. Bank account transfers (ACH) are usually cheaper, sometimes $0.95 to $1.50, but take longer — usually two to three business days instead of one.
The fee is separate from the deposit amount. If you send $50 and the fee is $2.95, the incarcerated person receives $50 in their commissary account, and Jailatm.com keeps the $2.95. You pay the full amount (deposit plus fee) at checkout.
Not all payment methods are available for every jail. Some facilities only accept credit or debit cards through Jailatm.com. Check the jail's website or call Jailatm.com customer service to confirm which methods work for the specific facility.
How Long Money Takes to Appear
Deposits made by debit or credit card usually show up in the commissary account within one business day. If you deposit on a Friday evening, the money may not appear until Monday morning. Some jails process deposits overnight and post them the same day, but this is not may provide.
Bank transfers (ACH) take longer — typically two to three business days — because the money has to move through the banking system before Jailatm.com sends it to the jail. If you need money to reach someone quickly, a credit or debit card deposit is faster.
Once the money is in the commissary account, the incarcerated person can usually spend it immediately at the jail's commissary. Some jails have specific commissary shopping hours or days, so the person may not be able to make purchases right away even if the balance is there.
What Information You Need Before You Deposit
You must have the incarcerated person's full legal name and booking or inmate number. The booking number is assigned when someone is first brought into the jail; the inmate number is sometimes the same, sometimes different. Both are usually printed on any paperwork the person has received from the jail.
If you do not have the booking or inmate number, you can usually find it by calling the jail's main number and asking for the person's information, or by checking the jail's online inmate search tool (most county jails have one on their website). Some jails also accept a date of birth or case number as an alternative identifier.
Before you send money, confirm with the jail that Jailatm.com is the correct vendor for that facility. Some jails use multiple vendors, and using the wrong one will delay the deposit or send it to the wrong account.
Limits on How Much You Can Deposit
Most jails set a maximum balance that can be held in a commissary account — often $500 to $1,000, though this varies by facility. If the account is already at the maximum, you cannot deposit more money until the person spends some of the balance.
Some jails also set a limit on how much you can deposit in a single transaction — for example, $200 per deposit. If you hit this limit, you can make another deposit after a waiting period (usually 24 hours), but you cannot send all the money at once.
Check the jail's website or call Jailatm.com to find out the specific limits for the facility where you are sending money. These limits are set by the jail, not by Jailatm.com, and they can change.
What Happens If the Deposit Does Not Go Through
If your payment is declined, Jailatm.com will usually tell you why — insufficient funds, incorrect card number, or the card issuer blocked the transaction. You can try again with the same card or a different payment method.
If you completed the transaction and received a confirmation number but the money does not appear in the commissary account after two business days, contact Jailatm.com customer service with your confirmation number. They can check whether the jail received the deposit and help you track it down.
Refunds are not automatic. If money was deducted from your account but did not reach the commissary, Jailatm.com will investigate and may issue a refund to your original payment method. This process can take several weeks. Keep your confirmation number and any emails from Jailatm.com as proof of the transaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit money if I do not know the person's booking number?
You can call the jail's main number and ask for the person's booking or inmate number. Most jails will give you this information over the phone if you provide the person's full name and date of birth. Some jails also have an online inmate search tool on their website where you can look up the number yourself.
Does the incarcerated person get charged a fee when they spend commissary money?
No. The fee you pay to Jailatm.com is the only charge. Once the money is in the commissary account, the person can spend it on commissary items at the listed prices with no additional fees.
Can I deposit money for someone in a different state?
Yes, if that jail uses Jailatm.com. Jailatm.com operates in many states, but not all jails use their service. Check the specific jail's website to see which vendor they use, or call the jail directly to ask.
What if the person is released or transferred to a different facility?
If the person is released, the commissary account is usually closed and any remaining balance is either mailed to them or held for a set period (rules vary by jail). If they are transferred to another facility, the balance may or may not transfer — this depends on whether both facilities use the same vendor and the jail's policies. Contact the original jail to find out what happens to the balance.
Is there a minimum deposit amount?
Most jails set a minimum deposit of $5 to $10 through Jailatm.com, though some allow smaller amounts. Check the jail's website or the Jailatm.com website for the specific facility to see the minimum.