Money sent through Western Union is normally posted within a couple of hours. Depending on the system at the prison/jail, inmates may access their account on the telephone or their counselor hands them a receipt of deposit with the amount and the sender.
https://www.inmateaid.com/ask-the-inmate/after-i-have-sent-the-money-to-be-put-on-an-inmates-books-through-western-union-how-long-does-it-take-to-show-up-on-his-books-and-how-does-he-know-its-on-his-books#answer
Accepted Answer Date Created: July 07,2015