What Tiger Deposit Commissary is and who uses it
Tiger Deposit is a third-party service that allows people outside a correctional facility to send money directly to an incarcerated person's commissary account. The incarcerated person can then use that money to buy items from the facility's commissary — typically food, hygiene products, phone credits, and other approved goods. Tiger Deposit operates as a payment processor between the sender and the correctional facility, similar to how other commissary services work, but with its own fee structure and processing timeline.
The service is available at certain state and federal facilities, though not all prisons and jails accept Tiger Deposit. Facilities choose which third-party vendors they partner with, so availability depends on where the person is incarcerated. If a facility does use Tiger Deposit, it is usually one of several options available — most correctional facilities allow multiple commissary vendors so families can choose based on fees, speed, or convenience.
Key Takeaways
- Tiger Deposit lets you send money to an incarcerated person's commissary account through an online portal or phone, and the facility receives the funds within one to three business days depending on the payment method you choose.
- You will need the incarcerated person's full name, facility name, and inmate or booking number to send money, and you can only send to facilities that have contracted with Tiger Deposit.
- Tiger Deposit charges a transaction fee on top of the amount you send — the exact fee varies by payment method and facility, so check before you complete the transfer.
- Money sent through Tiger Deposit goes into the commissary account only and cannot be used for phone calls, bail, or legal fees unless the facility's commissary specifically offers those services.
- If you send money and it does not appear in the account within the stated timeframe, contact Tiger Deposit customer service with your transaction confirmation number and the inmate's details.
How to send money through Tiger Deposit
To send money, you will need to visit the Tiger Deposit website or call their customer service line. You will be asked to provide the incarcerated person's full name exactly as it appears in the facility's system, the name of the correctional facility, and the inmate or booking number. Having this information ready before you start speeds up the process.
Tiger Deposit accepts several payment methods, typically including debit cards, credit cards, and bank transfers. Each method has a different fee and processing speed. A debit card payment might process within one business day, while a bank transfer could take two to three business days. The website or phone representative will show you the fee for each option before you confirm the payment, so you can choose based on how quickly you need the money to arrive and how much you can afford to pay in fees.
Once you complete the payment, Tiger Deposit will give you a confirmation number. Keep this number — you will need it if there are any problems with the transfer or if you need to contact customer service to check on the status of your payment.
Fees and what they cover
Tiger Deposit charges a transaction fee on every transfer. The fee is not a flat amount — it varies based on the payment method you use, the amount you send, and sometimes the specific facility. Fees are typically between 2 and 5 percent of the amount sent, though some facilities or payment methods may have different rates. The website will display the exact fee before you confirm, so you will know the total cost including the fee before your money leaves your account.
The fee goes to Tiger Deposit, not to the facility or the incarcerated person. The full amount you send (minus the fee) goes into the commissary account. Some facilities also charge their own commissary fees when money is deposited, which is separate from Tiger Deposit's fee — ask the facility directly if they charge an additional deposit fee.
Processing time and when money appears in the account
The time it takes for money to appear in the commissary account depends on the payment method you choose. Debit card payments typically process within one business day. Bank transfers and ACH payments usually take two to three business days. Credit card payments may take longer depending on your card issuer. Tiger Deposit's website will tell you the expected timeframe for your specific payment method before you submit.
Once Tiger Deposit processes the payment, the facility's commissary system receives the funds and deposits them into the incarcerated person's account. This step usually happens within one business day of Tiger Deposit sending it, but some facilities process deposits only on certain days of the week. If the money does not appear within the timeframe Tiger Deposit quoted, contact their customer service with your confirmation number and the inmate's name and number.
What the money can and cannot be used for
Money sent through Tiger Deposit goes into the commissary account only. The incarcerated person can use it to buy items from the facility's commissary — typically snacks, hygiene products, clothing, books, writing supplies, and other approved goods. The exact items available vary by facility.
Commissary money cannot be used to pay for phone calls, video visits, bail, court costs, or legal fees unless the facility's commissary specifically offers those services through its system. If the incarcerated person needs money for phone credits or other services, you may need to use a different payment method or service. Ask the facility what payment options are available for each type of charge.
If money does not arrive or there is a problem
If you sent money through Tiger Deposit and it does not appear in the commissary account within the timeframe you were given, contact Tiger Deposit customer service. Have your transaction confirmation number, the amount sent, the date you sent it, the incarcerated person's full name, and their inmate number ready. Tiger Deposit can check whether the payment was processed on their end and whether it was sent to the facility.
If Tiger Deposit processed the payment but the facility has not received it, Tiger Deposit will contact the facility on your behalf. If the facility received it but it has not appeared in the account, the facility's commissary office needs to investigate — Tiger Deposit can provide you with the facility's commissary contact information so you can follow up directly. Keep your confirmation number and any emails from Tiger Deposit in case you need to dispute the transaction with your bank or card issuer.
Checking whether your facility uses Tiger Deposit
Not all correctional facilities use Tiger Deposit. To find out whether the facility where your family member is incarcerated accepts Tiger Deposit payments, visit the Tiger Deposit website and search for the facility by name, or call the facility's commissary office directly and ask which third-party vendors they accept. The facility's website or inmate handbook may also list approved commissary services.
If the facility does not use Tiger Deposit, ask which services it does accept. Most facilities work with multiple vendors — common alternatives include JPay, Securus, GTL, and facility-specific systems. Each has its own fees and processing times, so compare your options based on cost and speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send money if I do not know the inmate number?
You will need either the inmate number or booking number to send money through Tiger Deposit. If you do not have it, contact the facility's main line and ask for the commissary department — they can provide the number. You can also ask the incarcerated person to provide it when they call or write.
What happens if I send money to the wrong facility by mistake?
Contact Tiger Deposit customer service immediately with your confirmation number. If the money has not yet been processed by the facility, Tiger Deposit may be able to cancel or redirect the payment. If it has already been deposited into the wrong account, you will need to work with that facility's commissary office to request a refund or transfer, which can take several weeks.
Can the incarcerated person refuse the money I send?
Once money is deposited into a commissary account, it belongs to the facility's system, not to the individual. The incarcerated person cannot refuse it, but they can choose not to spend it. Some facilities allow account holders to request that funds be held or transferred to another account under certain circumstances — ask the facility's commissary office about their policies.
Is there a limit to how much I can send at one time?
Tiger Deposit and individual facilities may set limits on single transactions or total account balances. Check the Tiger Deposit website for transaction limits, and ask the facility whether there is a maximum balance allowed in the commissary account. Limits vary by facility and change periodically.
Can I get a refund if I send money by mistake?
Refunds depend on whether the money has been processed by the facility. If Tiger Deposit has not yet sent it to the facility, you may be able to cancel and receive a refund minus the transaction fee. Once the facility receives and deposits the money, refunds are handled by the facility's commissary office and can take several weeks. Contact Tiger Deposit immediately if you need to cancel a payment.