How Inmate Payment Systems Work and What You Need to Know
What inmate payment systems are and how money reaches someone in custody
When someone is in jail or prison, money sent to them does not work like a regular bank deposit. Instead, the facility runs an inmate account — a ledger that tracks money coming in, what the person spends, and what remains. Money you send goes into that account, and the person inside can use it to buy commissary items (snacks, hygiene products, phone time), pay court fines, or cover facility fees. The system varies by facility, but the basic flow is the same: you send money from outside, it lands in their account, they request what they want to buy, and the facility deducts it.
The facility — not a bank — controls how and when the money moves. This means there are no overdraft protections, no dispute resolution like you would have with a credit card, and no way to reverse a transaction once it posts. If money is sent to the wrong person or account, getting it back requires contacting the facility directly and often takes weeks or months. Understanding the specific rules of the facility where your person is held is the only way to avoid sending money that gets stuck or lost.
Key Takeaways
- Money sent to an inmate goes into a facility-controlled account, not a bank account, and the facility decides what items and services the person can buy with it.
- Each jail and prison has its own payment methods and rules — some accept only money orders, others accept debit cards or online transfers, and some charge fees for each deposit.
- You will need the inmate's full legal name, booking number or inmate number, and the facility name to send money; sending it to the wrong account means the money stays with the facility until claimed.
- Money in an inmate account does not earn interest and can be seized to pay court-ordered fines, restitution, or facility fees without the inmate's consent.
- Commissary prices are set by the facility and are often much higher than outside prices; phone calls and video visits may also cost money drawn from the account.
Payment methods: what your facility accepts and what it costs
Jails and prisons use different payment systems, and the one at your facility determines how you send money. The most common methods are money orders sent by mail, online deposits through a third-party service (often JPay, Securus, or a facility-specific portal), debit card payments over the phone, and in-person cash deposits at the facility. Some facilities accept only one or two methods; others offer all four. Before you send anything, call the facility's business office or check their website to confirm which methods they use and whether they charge a fee for deposits.
Fees are common and add up quickly. A third-party online service might charge $2 to $5 per transaction; a phone deposit might cost $1 to $3; a money order sent by mail costs $1 to $2 at the post office or grocery store, plus postage. If you send money weekly, those fees can total $50 to $100 per month. Some facilities waive fees for deposits under a certain amount or for family members on a list. Ask the business office whether fee waivers exist before you set up a payment method.
Money order deposits by mail are free to the facility but slow — they can take one to three weeks to post, depending on mail delivery and facility processing. Online and phone deposits usually post within one to three business days. If the person inside needs money urgently (for a court date, a medical copay, or a phone call), online or phone payment is faster, even with the fee.
What information you need and how to avoid sending money to the wrong account
To send money, you will need the inmate's full legal name exactly as it appears in the system, their booking number or inmate number, the facility name, and often the facility's account number or code. Misspelling the name or using a nickname instead of the legal name can cause the money to sit in a holding account or be credited to someone else. The booking number is the most reliable identifier — it is unique to that person at that facility and does not change.
Get this information directly from the person inside (via a phone call or mail) or from the facility's inmate search tool, which most jails and prisons publish online. Do not rely on information from a third party unless you can verify it with the facility. If you send money and it does not appear in the account within the expected timeframe, contact the facility's business office immediately with your receipt or confirmation number. They can trace the deposit and move it to the correct account, but this process can take weeks.
What happens to money in an inmate account and what the person can buy
Once money is in the account, the inmate can request purchases through a commissary order form (on paper or through a tablet system, depending on the facility). The facility fills the order and deducts the cost from the account. Commissary items typically include snacks, coffee, hygiene products, clothing, and writing supplies. Prices are set by the facility and are usually 50% to 100% higher than outside retail prices — a $3 candy bar might cost $6 in commissary. There is no price regulation, so facilities can charge whatever they want.
Beyond commissary, money in the account may be used for phone calls, video visits, medical copays, and facility fees (like a housing fee or a fee to use the law library). Some facilities charge for each phone call; others charge a flat rate per minute. Video visits can cost $0.50 to $1 per minute. These costs are deducted automatically when the service is used, so the inmate may not realize how quickly the balance is shrinking.
Money in the account can also be seized without the inmate's consent to pay court-ordered fines, restitution to victims, child support, or facility fees. This is called a garnishment or levy. The facility will notify the inmate, but the money is taken regardless. If the inmate is released, any remaining balance is usually returned by check, though some facilities charge a fee to process the release of funds.
How to monitor the account and what to do if money goes missing
Most facilities allow you to check the inmate's account balance online through a third-party portal or by calling the business office. Some require the inmate to request a balance printout and mail it to you. Checking regularly helps you catch errors or unauthorized deductions early. If the balance drops unexpectedly, ask the inmate what they purchased or whether the facility deducted fees or fines.
If money is missing or was deducted in error, contact the facility's business office in writing (email or certified mail) with your receipt or confirmation number and a description of the problem. Keep a copy of everything you send. The facility will investigate, but this can take weeks or months. If the facility cannot locate the money or refuses to correct the error, you may file a complaint with the state department of corrections or the jail's oversight body, though this does not may provide a refund.
Do not send large amounts of money at once. Facilities are not banks, and there is no insurance if money is lost or stolen. Send only what the inmate needs for the next few weeks, and replenish the account as needed. This also protects the inmate — a large balance can make them a target for theft or pressure from other inmates.
Special rules for federal inmates and immigration detainees
Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facilities use a centralized system called Inmate Trust Fund. Money is sent to a regional processing center, not to the facility itself, and deposits take longer to post — usually five to seven business days. The BOP accepts money orders, cashier's checks, and online deposits through their official portal. Commissary prices and phone rates are set by the BOP and are the same across all federal facilities.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees held in local jails use the jail's inmate account system, not a separate ICE system. However, some ICE facilities have additional restrictions on what can be purchased or how often money can be sent. If the person is in ICE custody, ask the facility whether ICE rules override the jail's normal commissary policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send money directly to the inmate's commissary account, or does it have to go through a third party?
It depends on the facility. Some allow direct deposits to the account through their website or a phone line; others require you to use a third-party service like JPay or Securus. Call the facility's business office to find out which method they use and whether you can deposit directly.
What if the inmate is transferred to a different facility?
Money in the account at the original facility usually stays there and does not transfer automatically. You will need to contact the original facility to request a refund or transfer, or you can send new money to the new facility. Ask the inmate for the new facility's information and payment instructions before sending more money.
Can I get money back if the inmate is released?
Yes. Any balance remaining in the account when the inmate is released is returned to them, usually by check mailed to their release address. Some facilities charge a small fee to process the release of funds. Ask the facility about their policy before release day so the inmate knows what to expect.
What if I send money to the wrong inmate by mistake?
Contact the facility's business office immediately with your receipt or confirmation number. They can move the money to the correct account or process a refund, but this takes time — sometimes weeks. Provide as much detail as you can about the error so they can locate the deposit quickly.
Are there limits on how much money I can send?
Most facilities set a maximum account balance (often $200 to $500) to prevent large amounts from accumulating. If the account reaches the limit, new deposits will be rejected until the balance drops. Some facilities also limit how often you can send money — for example, once per week. Check the facility's rules before sending.