Putting money on a loved one's books is one of the most direct ways to improve their daily life inside. Commissary funds cover phone calls, food supplements, personal care, and the small daily necessities that make incarceration more bearable. But every facility uses specific approved money transfer services and sending money through an unapproved channel means delays, fees, or the money not arriving at all. This section covers which money transfer services are approved at federal and state facilities, how to find the right service for a specific institution, how long transfers take to post, deposit limits and frequency restrictions, how to send money from outside the United States, and what to do when a transfer does not post as expected. The practical guidance here is built around getting money where it needs to go efficiently and without unnecessary fees. See also our sections on Commissary, Money Transfer, and Inmate Phone Calls.
Related InmateAid Services
Subject: Send inmate money
At Ohio Reformatory for Women, you will need the inmate’s ID number to send money, whether you use a service or mail.
Why the ID number matters:
It ensures the money is applied to the correct inmate account
Facilities process thousands of deposits, so names alone are not enough
Your options:
1. Western Union or electronic services:
Require the inmate ID number to complete the transaction
Fastest way once you have the correct information
2. Money order by mail:
Some facilities may accept it, but
You will still usually need the ID number listed on the money order
How...
Read moreSubject: Send inmate money
At Mecosta County Jail, Western Union is not supported for sending money to inmates.
The standard method is by money order:
Send a money order by mail
Include the inmate’s full name and ID number clearly
Mail it to:
Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office
225 S. Stewart
Big Rapids, MI 49307
Tips to avoid delays:
Double-check the inmate’s name and ID number
Do not send cash
Follow any specific jail rules listed on their website or by phone
If you want a more convenient option, InmateAid can also prepare and send a money order on your behalf, which helps avoid...
Read moreSubject: Send inmate money
Depending on YOUR abilities, we estimate $50-75 per week is a generous amount. If you are funding the telephone, then you might adjust that number higher or lower. Be mindful that an inmate will spend whatever you send them, so only do what you can afford.
Subject: Send inmate money
There is no single right answer to how much money an inmate needs because it genuinely depends on the facility, the inmate's habits, and what the person on the outside can realistically sustain over a long period of time.
The three main categories where trust account money goes are phone calls, commissary food and hygiene items, and one-time purchases like sneakers, a radio, or a JP4 player. Phone calls can add up quickly depending on how often contact happens and whether...
Read moreSubject: Send inmate money
Ways to Deposit Money
Online Deposits: You can securely deposit funds through the Access Corrections website.
Phone & Tablet Accounts: To specifically fund a detainee's telephone or tablet account, you can use the Talton Communications website or call their customer service at (866) 348-6231.
Mail-In Money Orders: You may mail a money order to the facility. It must contain the detainee's full name and Alien Registration Number (A-Number) to be accepted.
Caution: Do not send cash or personal checks by mail.
On-Site Lobby Kiosk: A kiosk is located to the right of the front entrance at the Farmville...
Read moreSubject: Send inmate money
Milledgeville City Jail in Georgia is a municipal facility, and the money transfer process at city jails varies more than at larger county or state facilities. The most reliable first step is to call the jail directly and ask which service they use for inmate deposits and what the process is.
Most Georgia jails use one of the major inmate money transfer services. The most common options are JPay, Access Securepak through Keefe, or Western Union Quick Collect. Each has its...
Read moreSubject: Send inmate money
Dimmit County Jail is a litle behind the times for money transfer. You are going to have to get a money order and place the inmate's name on the check and mail it to them at - PO Box 885 Carrizo Springs, TX 78834-0885. Once the money order arrives, it is credited to the account of the inmate.
Subject: Send inmate money
mycarpack.com - log into their website and you may send money to an inmate at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center
Subject: Send inmate money
No one outside the facility can access or charge an inmate's trust account directly. The account is controlled entirely by the inmate and managed internally by the facility. No mechanism allows a family member or outside service to draw funds from that account remotely, even with the inmate's permission.
If your inmate wants to cover costs from their end, the way that works is through an inmate-to-outside money transfer. Your inmate submits a request to their case manager asking that a...
Read moreSubject: Send inmate money
Yes, you can send money while your fiancé is in reception at California Institution for Men, even if you do not see the facility listed the way you expect.
For the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, all institutions use a single system for deposits. When using Western Union, you do not select the individual prison like CIM. Instead, you send funds through the CDCR system using:
The correct CDCR receive code
Your fiancé’s CDCR number and last name
Important to know:
Being in reception does not prevent him from receiving money
Funds...
Read moreSubject: Send inmate money
If you sent the money yourself, confirming it was received is straightforward. Call the facility and ask to speak with the counselor or case manager assigned to your family member. They can look up the account balance and confirm whether a deposit is showing. Be prepared to answer basic verification questions about the transaction, such as the amount sent and the method used.
If you are trying to find out whether someone else sent money to your family member's account, that...
Read moreSubject: Send inmate money
Sending money to a US inmate from outside the country is a common challenge for international family members. Most US prison money transfer services require a US bank-issued card or a domestic account, which rules out the standard options for people overseas.
InmateAid offers a solution specifically for international members. We handle the deposit on your behalf so you do not need a US bank account or card. Here is how the fee structure works:
You decide the amount you want your...
Read moreSubject: Send inmate money
La Palma Correctional Facility in Eloy, Arizona houses California state prisoners under a contract arrangement. Even though your grandson is physically located in Arizona, he remains a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation inmate, which means the money transfer process runs through California's system, not Arizona's.
Western Union works for this situation. When processing the transfer, you will need your grandson's California inmate ID number, not any Arizona facility number. On the Western Union site, process the payment through CCA, which...
Read moreSubject: Send inmate money
If you cannot find the inmate on the Georgia Department of Corrections website, there are a few common reasons:
They may not be in state custody yet
If they were recently arrested or sentenced, they could still be in a county jail waiting to be transferred.
The system has not updated yet
It can take time for new inmates or transfers to appear in the database.
Name or spelling differences
Try variations of the name or search with additional details if available.
They are in a different system
They could...
Read moreSubject: Send inmate money
With Tiger Commissary, deposit times can vary because the service does not clearly publish standard processing speeds like some other providers do.
In many cases, funds show up within a few hours, but it can also take up to 24 to 48 hours depending on:
The jail’s processing schedule
Time of day or weekend/holiday delays
Internal approval procedures at the facility
Unlike Western Union, which often posts funds almost immediately, smaller or facility-specific systems like Tiger Commissary may batch transactions and apply them at set times.
If it has...
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