What JailATM commissary deposits are and how the login works
JailATM is a third-party service that lets you deposit money into a commissary account for someone held in a jail or detention facility. You create an account on jailatm.com, link a payment method, and send money that appears as spendable credit at the facility's commissary — usually within one business day. The person inside can then use that credit to buy items like snacks, hygiene products, phone time, or clothing from the jail's store.
To log in, you go to jailatm.com, enter your email address and password, and access your account dashboard. From there you can see your transaction history, add new deposits, and manage payment methods. If you have never used the service before, you will need to create an account first by providing your name, email, and a password.
JailATM operates in hundreds of facilities across the United States, but not all jails use it. Before you set up an account, confirm that the specific facility where your person is held accepts JailATM deposits. You can search by facility name on their website, or call the jail's commissary office directly to ask which deposit services they accept.
Key Takeaways
- JailATM is a private company that processes commissary deposits; it is not run by the jail or government.
- Money you deposit goes into a commissary account the person can spend at the facility's store, not into their personal account.
- You must create a jailatm.com account with your email and payment method before you can send your first deposit.
- Not every jail uses JailATM, so check the facility's website or call their commissary office to confirm they accept it.
- Deposits typically post within one business day, though timing can vary by facility and payment method.
How to create a JailATM account and log in
Go to jailatm.com and click the button to create a new account. You will be asked for your email address, a password of your choosing, your full name, and your phone number. After you submit this information, JailATM will send a confirmation email to the address you provided — click the link in that email to verify your account.
Once your account is verified, you can log in by returning to jailatm.com, entering your email and password, and clicking the login button. You will then see your account dashboard, where you can search for the facility, add the person's name and inmate number, and set up your first deposit. You will need to provide a valid payment method — usually a debit card, credit card, or bank account — before the system will process any money.
If you forget your password, click the "Forgot Password" link on the login page. JailATM will send a reset link to your email. Follow that link to create a new password and regain access to your account.
What information you need before you deposit
Before you log in and send money, gather the inmate's full name, their inmate number (also called a booking number or offender number), and the exact name of the facility where they are held. This information is usually provided when someone is booked into jail, or you can find it by searching the facility's inmate roster online or calling the jail directly.
You will also need a payment method. JailATM accepts most major debit cards, credit cards, and bank accounts. The service charges a fee for each deposit — the amount varies depending on your payment method and the facility, but typically ranges from a few dollars to around 3 percent of the deposit amount. That fee is added to the total you pay; it does not come out of the money the person receives.
Have your payment information ready before you start, because you cannot save it and come back later on most devices. Once you begin a deposit, you will need to complete it in one session.
How deposits post and when the money is available
After you log in, search for the facility, enter the inmate's information, choose your deposit amount, and submit your payment, JailATM sends the transaction to the facility's commissary system. Most facilities process deposits within one business day, meaning money deposited on a Monday morning might be available by Tuesday. Some facilities post deposits the same day if you send them before a certain time — usually early afternoon — but this varies widely.
Weekends and facility holidays can delay posting. If you deposit money on a Friday evening, it may not appear until the following Monday or Tuesday. The facility's commissary office controls the final posting, not JailATM, so timing depends partly on how quickly that office processes incoming deposits.
Once the money posts, the person can use it immediately at the commissary. They do not have to do anything on their end — the credit simply appears in their account and they can spend it during commissary shopping hours, which the facility sets.
Fees and payment methods JailATM accepts
JailATM charges a processing fee on every deposit. The exact amount depends on which payment method you use and which facility you are sending to. Debit cards typically have lower fees than credit cards. Bank account transfers (ACH) usually have the lowest fees but take longer to process — sometimes two to three business days instead of one.
The service accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express credit and debit cards. It also accepts bank account transfers if you provide your routing number and account number. Some facilities may accept additional payment methods through JailATM, so check the options available for your specific facility during the deposit process.
All fees are disclosed before you confirm the deposit, so you will see the total amount you will be charged — including the fee — before your payment is processed. There are no hidden charges added later.
What happens if a deposit fails or you need to cancel
If your payment method is declined, JailATM will notify you by email and the deposit will not go through. Check that your card or account has sufficient funds and that the payment information you entered is correct. Then log back in and try again.
If you need to cancel a deposit before it posts to the facility, log into your account and look for a cancellation option in your transaction history. Once money has posted to the commissary account, you cannot cancel it — the facility controls that account, not JailATM. In that case, you would need to contact the facility's commissary office directly to ask about a refund, though most facilities do not refund commissary deposits.
Keep your transaction confirmation emails. They show the date, amount, and facility, and they are useful if there is a dispute or if you need to prove to the facility that you sent money.
Alternatives if the facility does not use JailATM
If the jail does not accept JailATM deposits, call the facility's commissary office and ask which services they do accept. Many jails use other third-party deposit services like Securus, Jpay, or Inmateaid. Some facilities allow you to mail a check or money order directly to their commissary department, though this is slower and may have restrictions on the amount.
A few jails still accept deposits in person at the facility during visiting hours, though this is becoming less common. Ask the commissary office what options are available and whether there are fees for each method. Fees and posting times vary significantly between services, so it is worth comparing if you have a choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit money if I do not know the inmate number?
You can search by the person's name and the facility name, and JailATM will usually find their record. However, if multiple people with the same name are in the facility, you will need the inmate number to make sure the money goes to the right person. Call the facility's main line or commissary office to get the correct number.
What if the person I am sending money to is transferred to a different jail?
Money in a commissary account typically stays with that facility and does not transfer if the person is moved. Contact the original facility's commissary office to ask whether they will refund unspent money or transfer it. Then set up a new deposit account at the new facility using JailATM or whatever service that facility uses.
Is there a limit to how much I can deposit at one time?
JailATM and individual facilities set deposit limits, which vary. Some facilities cap deposits at $100 or $200 per transaction, while others allow larger amounts. The limit will be shown when you search for the facility and begin a deposit. If you need to send more, you can make multiple deposits on different days.
How do I know if my deposit went through?
JailATM sends a confirmation email immediately after your payment is processed. Log into your account and check your transaction history to see the status. You can also call the facility's commissary office and provide your name and the inmate's name; they can tell you whether the deposit has posted to their account.
Can I get a refund if I send money by mistake?
Once money posts to the commissary account, JailATM cannot refund it — the facility controls that account. Contact the facility's commissary office directly and explain the error. Some facilities will refund money if you ask quickly, but there is no may provide. This is why it is important to double-check the inmate number and amount before you confirm any deposit.