Going to jail does not automatically change a child support order. Only a judge can change or modify a child support order. If a parent that is in jail has income or assets that can be used to pay for your child's support, he or she has to continue to pay child support. If there already is a child support order, and the parent who was ordered to pay child support goes to jail (is incarcerated), the child support order does not automatically end. The order remains in effect until the court changes it or modifies it. The incarcerated parent may be able to pay child support if he or she still has income or assets that could be used to support your child - including money that is in the inmate's commissary account, you would need a court order to intervene and garnish a percentage of the monthly deposit.