Money Transfer
A money transfer in the correctional system means sending funds to an incarcerated person's inmate account so they can use the balance for commissary purchases, phone calls, and other approved services.
What Is Money Transfer?
Sending money to an incarcerated person is a common need for families and is handled through several methods depending on the facility. The most convenient options are online platforms like JPay, ConnectNetwork, and Pigeonly, which let you transfer money using a debit or credit card from a phone or computer. You will need the inmate's ID number and the facility name to direct the deposit to the correct account.
Money transfers typically carry a service fee. JPay fees are generally around 2.75% of the amount sent or a minimum flat fee, depending on the transfer method and amount. ConnectNetwork has similar structures. Sending a money order directly by mail to the facility is usually the lowest-cost method but also the slowest. Digital transfers process within a few hours to two business days. Money orders can take a week or more after they arrive at the facility.
Before sending money, confirm the exact format of the inmate's ID number and the facility's full official name. Incorrect information can cause the deposit to be delayed or rejected. Most platforms let you save your loved one's information after the first successful transfer, making future deposits faster. Some facilities also have daily or monthly limits on the amount of money that can be deposited.
Related Providers
Communication providers that are relevant to Money Transfer.
Related Terms
Explore other glossary terms that are closely connected to this topic.
Commissary
Commissary is an in-facility store available to incarcerated people where they can purchase food, hygiene items, clothing, stationery, and other approved goods using funds from their inmate account.
FinanceInmate Account
An inmate account, also called a trust fund account, is a personal financial account held by the correctional facility on behalf of an incarcerated person that they use to pay for commissary, phone calls, and other approved services.
CommunicationInmate Phone Calls
Inmate phone calls are outgoing calls placed by an incarcerated person from a facility phone system to approved contacts, using a prepaid account managed through a contracted provider such as ConnectNetwork or GettingOut.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Money Transfer, answered in plain language.
What is the easiest way to send money to an inmate?
What information do I need to send money to an inmate?
How long does a money transfer to an inmate take?
What are the typical fees for sending money to an inmate?
Is there a limit on how much money I can send?
People Also Ask
Related questions families often search for alongside this topic.
What is Commissary?
Commissary is an in-facility store available to incarcerated people where they can purchase food, hygiene items, clothing, stationery, and other approved goods using funds from their inmate account.
Read full definitionWhat is Inmate Account?
An inmate account, also called a trust fund account, is a personal financial account held by the correctional facility on behalf of an incarcerated person that they use to pay for commissary, phone calls, and other approved services.
Read full definitionWhat is Inmate Phone Calls?
Inmate phone calls are outgoing calls placed by an incarcerated person from a facility phone system to approved contacts, using a prepaid account managed through a contracted provider such as ConnectNetwork or GettingOut.
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