If someone you love is locked up in California, getting money into their account is one of the most meaningful ways to support them. It covers commissary - food, hygiene, writing supplies - and keeps them connected. One thing worth knowing upfront about California state prisons: phone calls are free for people incarcerated in CDCR facilities, so you do not need to put money on a phone account to receive calls from state prison. The account you are funding is for commissary and spending money.
California splits into two distinct deposit systems: the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) for state prison sentences, and county jails - all 58 of them - each running their own deposit vendor arrangements. Figure out which one your person is in before you do anything else.
State prisons: CDCR's three methods
If your person is in a CDCR state prison, there are three ways to send money. Before using any of them, you need the CDCR number - the identification number assigned to every CDCR incarcerated person. You also need to know which facility they are in. Both are available through the California Incarcerated Records and Information Search and the CDCR Facility Locator on the department's website.
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) - fastest, with fees
EFT is the fastest deposit method. Funds post to the account within one to three days. CDCR authorizes several EFT vendors; you can use any of them. Fees apply to all EFT deposits. EFT deposits go to the incarcerated person's trust account for discretionary spending, not to a phone account (calls are free at CDCR facilities).
For help with EFT deposits, check the CDCR's sending money page for the current approved vendor list.
Lock Box through JPay - no fee, money order or check by mail
The Lock Box method allows you to send money by money order, personal check, or cashier's check through JPay's lockbox service at no fee. This is one of the lowest-cost ways to send money to a CDCR inmate.
Fill out a Money Order Deposit Form (coupon), which is available on the CDCR's website. Include your name and address on the form. Make the check or money order payable to "JPay." The maximum per Money Order Deposit Form is $999.99. Personal checks are held for ten business days before funds are released. Do not include any letters or notes with the payment - they will be discarded. A JPay account is not needed to use this method.
Mail the completed form and payment to:
JPay
2202 South Figueroa St, Box #3001
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Note: JPay's lockbox only accepts deposits for incarcerated person discretionary funds. It does not accept Family Visit payments, Temporary Community Leave (TCL) payments, or restitution-only payments.
Mail directly to the institution - no fee, 30-day hold
You can also mail a check or money order directly to the CDCR institution where your person is housed, with no fee. The 30-day hold on this method is the main drawback - it is significantly slower than EFT or the JPay lockbox.
Make the check or money order payable to "CDCR." Include the incarcerated person's full name and CDCR number on the check. Include your name and address as the sender. Mail it to the facility's address, addressed to the incarcerated person's name and CDCR number.
Restitution and what happens to deposits
California law requires CDCR to automatically collect 50 percent of prison wages or any other money deposited into an incarcerated person's trust account toward court-ordered restitution. Direct order restitution is collected before restitution fines. This means your deposit may be partially or fully applied to restitution before it reaches the spending balance.
Restitution payments can also be made separately - by mailing a check, cashier's check, or money order to CDCR Trust Accounting, P.O. Box 276088, Sacramento CA 95827. Alternatively, restitution can be paid electronically through JPay or Access Corrections.
Phone calls are free in California state prisons
As of August 2025, all calls from CDCR state prison facilities are free. You do not need to fund a phone account to receive calls from someone in a California state prison. This is a significant difference from most other states.
County jails: vendor varies by county
California has 58 counties, each with its own jail or detention system operated by the county sheriff. County jails set their own deposit vendors independently, and the vendor varies considerably across the state.
Los Angeles County - major change July 2025
Los Angeles County jails, operated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, made a significant change effective July 28, 2025: they now accept online deposits through Access Corrections. Previously, LASD did not accept online deposits for inmates. This is a recent and important change for families of people held in LA County custody.
To use Access Corrections for LA County online deposits, LASD regulations require a valid residential address - P.O. Box addresses are not accepted.
You can also still deposit by:
Mail - money order or cashier's check payable to the inmate or to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office, with the inmate's name and booking number on the memo line, mailed to: PO Box 86164, Terminal Annex, Los Angeles CA 90086-0164
In person - at the Inmate Reception Center (450 Bauchet Street, Los Angeles CA 90012) or Century Regional Detention Facility (11705 S. Alameda Street, Lynwood CA 90262); bring government-issued photo ID; $200 maximum for in-person drop-off; cash, certified bank cashier's checks from California banks accepted in person
Other major county jails
GTL (now operating as ViaPath Technologies) handles deposits and phone services for many of California's larger county jails, including facilities in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino counties. Deposits through GTL can be made online, by app, or by phone.
JPay handles deposits at many medium and smaller California county jails.
TouchPay is another platform used at some California county jails, with online deposits and in some cases kiosk deposits.
Securus is used at a number of California county facilities.
Many California county jails also have lobby kiosks where you can deposit cash or use a card in person. Online deposits typically post within 24 to 48 hours. Mail takes three to five business days plus processing. Kiosk deposits are usually same-day or next-day.
The vendor is county-specific. The only reliable way to know the current vendor for a specific California county jail is to check that county sheriff's website or call the facility directly.
Accounts do not transfer between vendors. When your person moves from a county jail to a CDCR state prison - or between county jails with different vendors - the account and balance stay with the original vendor. You set up fresh with the new vendor using the new facility's required ID number.
Federal custody
If your person is in federal Bureau of Prisons custody at a California federal facility - including FCI Dublin, USP Atwater, USP Victorville, FCI Terminal Island, or others - deposits go through the BOP Trust Fund via Western Union, MoneyGram at retail, or online at bop.gov. You need the eight-digit BOP register number. Do not use CDCR or county jail vendors for federal inmates.
What to know before you send anything
Get the CDCR number first. Every CDCR deposit method requires the CDCR number. For county jails, use the booking number. Find the CDCR number through the California Incarcerated Records and Information Search.
Phone calls are free - no phone account needed for CDCR. Unlike most states, California state prisons do not charge for calls. You are only funding the commissary/spending account.
Restitution will be deducted. CDCR collects 50 percent of any deposit toward outstanding restitution automatically. Plan accordingly.
Do not include letters with the JPay lockbox payment. Anything mailed to JPay other than the payment form and check or money order will be discarded.
For LA County online deposits, use a real residential address. P.O. Box addresses are not accepted by Access Corrections for LASD deposits.
Related pages:
/prisons/california
How to write a letter to someone in a California facility
Send mail and photos through InmateAid
Arrest Record Search (affiliate)
Frequently asked questions
How do I send money to someone in a California state prison?
Three ways: (1) Electronic Funds Transfer through an approved EFT vendor (fees, 1-3 days); (2) JPay Lock Box - mail a money order or check payable to "JPay" with a completed deposit form to JPay, 2202 South Figueroa St Box #3001, Los Angeles CA 90007 (no fee, max $999.99); (3) Mail directly to the institution payable to "CDCR" (no fee, 30-day hold).
What is the CDCR number and where do I find it?
The CDCR number is the state identification number assigned to every California state prison incarcerated person. Find it using the California Incarcerated Records and Information Search on the CDCR website. You need it for every deposit method.
Do I need to fund a phone account to receive calls from a California state prison?
No. Phone calls from CDCR state prison facilities are free as of August 2025. You only need to fund the general commissary/trust account.
What is the JPay Lock Box method?
A no-fee option for CDCR deposits by money order, personal check, or cashier's check. Fill out the CDCR Money Order Deposit Form, make the payment payable to "JPay," and mail it to JPay, 2202 South Figueroa St Box #3001, Los Angeles CA 90007. Max $999.99. Personal checks held 10 business days. No letters or notes included.
What happens to my deposit for restitution?
CDCR automatically takes 50 percent of any money deposited into a trust account to pay court-ordered restitution. Direct orders are collected before restitution fines.
How do I send money to the LA County jail?
Online through Access Corrections (effective July 28, 2025 - use a residential address, not P.O. Box); by mail (money order/cashier's check to PO Box 86164, Terminal Annex, Los Angeles CA 90086-0164); or in person at the Inmate Reception Center or Century Regional Detention Facility (photo ID required, $200 max).
What vendor does LA County Jail use for online deposits?
Access Corrections, effective July 28, 2025. This is a new change - previously LASD did not accept online deposits. A valid residential address is required; P.O. Box addresses are not accepted.
What vendors do California county jails use?
It varies by county. GTL/ViaPath is common at larger jails (LA, Orange, San Bernardino areas). JPay is used at many medium and smaller jails. TouchPay and Securus are also used at various California county jails. Always check the specific county sheriff's website.
Do accounts transfer between vendors?
No. When your person moves from county jail to a state prison, or between county jails with different vendors, you set up a new account with the new vendor. Balances stay with the original platform.
How long does a deposit take in California?
EFT (electronic): 1-3 days. JPay Lock Box (money order): allow mail time plus processing. Mail directly to institution: 30-day hold. County jails vary - online typically 24-48 hours; kiosk often same day.
How do I send money to someone in federal prison in California?
Use the BOP Trust Fund - Western Union, MoneyGram, or bop.gov online. You need the eight-digit BOP register number. Do not use CDCR or county jail vendor platforms for federal inmates. ====================================================================
Stay Connected with InmateAid
Reach Your Loved One in California
InmateAid helps families stay in touch. Set up discounted calls, send letters and photos, add money, or send approved magazines - all in one place.