How to Send Money to an Inmate: Step-by-Step Guide for Families

When you send money to an incarcerated person, the funds go into a trust account managed by the facility. The inmate then uses that balance to make purchases at the commissary, pay for phone calls, buy messaging credits, or cover other approved services.

The facility contracts with one or more money transfer providers. You create an account on the approved provider platform, find the inmate using their ID number and facility name, choose your transfer amount, and pay using a credit card, debit card, or other accepted method.

Transaction fees are charged by the transfer provider, not the facility. Fees vary based on the provider, the transfer amount, and the payment method. Larger transfers often have lower percentage fees than smaller ones. Always check the fee schedule before sending.

Online transfer is the most common method. You create an account on the approved provider website or app, enter the inmate details, choose an amount, and pay by credit or debit card. Funds are typically credited within one to two business days. Some providers offer same-day processing for an additional fee.

Lobby kiosk deposits are available at many facilities. You visit the facility lobby, use the kiosk machine, enter the inmate ID, and deposit cash. Kiosk deposits are often processed immediately and have lower fees than online transfers. Not all facilities have kiosks.

Money order by mail is accepted at most facilities. You purchase a money order, make it payable according to the facility instructions, include the inmate full name and ID number, and mail it to the facility designated address. Processing can take one to two weeks plus additional facility processing time.

Phone transfer is available through some providers. You call the provider customer service number, provide inmate details, and pay by card over the phone. Fees for phone transfers are often higher than online transfers.

JPay is the most widely used inmate money transfer service in the United States, serving over 35 states. JPay fees typically range from $0.95 to $4.95 per transaction depending on the amount sent and the payment method. JPay also handles messaging and other services for state prisons.

Access Corrections serves a large number of county jails and state facilities. Fees range from $1.95 to $5.95 per transaction. Access Corrections accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash at participating locations.

TouchPay specializes in county jail deposits and offers 24-hour processing every day of the year. TouchPay accepts credit and debit card transactions and posts funds quickly to inmate trust accounts.

Western Union Send2Corrections is available at both online and in-person Western Union locations. Fees tend to be higher, ranging from $5 to $15 or more per transaction. Western Union is useful for families who prefer in-person cash transactions or do not have access to credit cards.

Electronic transfers through JPay or Access Corrections typically arrive within one to three business days. Some facilities process transfers the same day. The processing time depends on the provider and the facility.

Lobby kiosk cash deposits are usually posted to the inmate account immediately or within a few hours. This is the fastest method when same-day access to funds is important.

Mailed money orders take the longest. After mailing, the money order must arrive at the facility, be processed by facility staff, and then be credited to the account. Total processing time is often one to two weeks or longer.

Always keep your transaction receipt or confirmation number until the funds are confirmed received by the inmate. If funds do not arrive within the expected timeframe, contact the provider customer service with your confirmation number.

Using the wrong inmate ID number is the most common mistake. The inmate ID is assigned by the facility and is different from any court case number or booking number. Always confirm the correct ID directly with your loved one or the facility before sending.

Sending to the wrong facility is another frequent error. If your loved one has transferred to a new facility, funds sent to the old facility may be delayed or rejected. Always confirm the current facility location before sending money.

Choosing an unapproved transfer method will result in rejection. You cannot send funds through personal bank transfers, PayPal, Venmo, or any service not approved by the facility. The facility will return or reject any funds received through unapproved channels.

Sending money before the inmate arrives at the facility can cause problems. Some facilities cannot process incoming funds until the inmate is officially in their system. Wait until you have confirmed your loved one has arrived and been processed before sending the first transfer.

Money transfer fees are one of the biggest frustrations families report. Fees vary by provider, by the amount sent, and by the payment method used. There is no single cheapest provider for every situation. The same provider that charges the lowest fee for a $20 transfer may charge the highest fee for a $50 transfer. The only way to find the lowest fee for your specific situation is to compare at the time of the transaction.

California is an example of this complexity. The California Department of Corrections contracts with three separate money transfer vendors: JPay, GTL, and Access Corrections. For a $20 transfer, JPay is significantly cheaper than the other two. For a $50 transfer, JPay becomes the most expensive option. The state DOC website does not show a comparison chart, so families must create accounts with multiple providers and initiate test transactions to find the best rate.

JPay and Access Corrections generally charge a percentage of the deposited amount, which means fees increase as the deposit amount increases. TouchPay follows a similar model with additional processing fees depending on the payment method. Western Union and MoneyGram tend to use a fixed fee structure that varies by transaction amount and payment method. For smaller deposits, fixed-fee providers can be more expensive. For larger deposits, percentage-based fees can exceed fixed fees.

Using a debit card rather than a credit card reduces costs across all providers. Credit card transactions may be classified as cash advances by your card issuer, triggering additional fees beyond what the transfer provider charges. Always use a debit card for money transfers to incarcerated loved ones unless a debit card is not accepted at your specific provider.

The most stressful scenario families face is sending money that does not appear in the inmate account. Before assuming the transfer failed, check whether the funds are in a pending or hold status. Many providers hold transfers for review, especially for first-time senders or unusually large amounts. A hold does not mean the money is lost.

Contact the provider with your transaction confirmation number within 24 to 48 hours if the funds have not appeared. Provide the inmate name, facility name, inmate ID number, the amount sent, the payment method, and the exact date and time of the transfer. Keep your email receipt as the primary documentation.

If the provider cannot locate the transfer or refuses to help, contact your bank or credit card company to dispute the charge. Provide the provider confirmation email and explain that the funds were not delivered. Banks typically side with consumers in non-delivery disputes when documentation is provided.

Access Corrections experienced a documented outage in 2025 that temporarily prevented deposits and caused processing delays. During provider outages, transactions may appear to complete successfully on the sender side but not be credited to the inmate account. If you sent money during a known outage period and it was not received, contact the provider and reference the outage dates when filing your complaint.

One of the most common mistakes families make is sending money to the facility their loved one was in before a transfer rather than the new facility. Money sent to the wrong facility can be delayed by weeks or returned entirely. Always confirm the current facility before sending funds.

When an inmate transfers from a county jail to a state prison, the money transfer provider often changes as well. Funds in a JPay account linked to a county jail do not automatically transfer to a state prison account. Contact both the old provider and the new provider to ask about fund transfer procedures when a facility change occurs.

The inmate is assigned a new ID number at the new facility in most cases. This new ID number must be used for all money transfers at the new location. The old ID number from the county jail will not work at the state prison. Confirm the new ID number with the inmate or the facility before sending any funds to avoid the transfer being rejected or delayed.