Access Corrections
Commissary deposits and money transfers for incarcerated individuals
- 50+
- States Covered
- 1,500+
- Facilities Supported
- 1 of 5
- Services Offered
- No
- Mobile App Available
Access Corrections Inmate Communication Overview
Access Corrections is a commissary deposit and money transfer platform operated in partnership with GTL (ViaPath Technologies). It serves as the primary channel through which families send funds to inmate trust accounts at facilities where GTL holds the communication contract. With coverage at more than 1,500 facilities across all 50 states, Access Corrections is one of the most widely used inmate money transfer platforms in the country — many families encounter it as part of the standard GTL facility setup without realizing it is a separate service from the phone and video platform.
Using Access Corrections is straightforward. Families visit accesscorrections.com, search for the facility, enter the inmate's ID or booking number, and submit a payment via debit card, credit card, or cash at a participating retail location such as a MoneyGram agent or Walmart. Funds are typically credited to the inmate's trust account within one to two business days, though processing times vary by facility. Access Corrections does not charge the inmate — all fees are paid by the sender and are assessed at the time of the transaction.
It is important to understand what Access Corrections does and does not cover. It is a money transfer platform only — it does not handle phone calls, video visits, messaging, or photo delivery. For phone calls at GTL facilities, families use the GTL Connect app or telmate.com to fund their calling account. For messaging at most state prisons, JPay is the correct platform. Access Corrections handles only the commissary deposit function. Because multiple accounts are often needed at a single facility — one for calling, one for commissary, and potentially one for messaging — keeping track of which platform does what is the most common challenge for families at GTL-contracted facilities.
Access Corrections Services
Communication services offered by Access Corrections and what each one includes.
Messaging
Access Corrections does not handle messaging.
For messaging at most GTL state facilities, use JPay. For county jails, use GettingOut or the facility's contracted messaging provider.
Video Calls
Access Corrections does not handle video visitation.
For video visits at GTL facilities, use the GTL Connect app or telmate.com.
Photo Sharing
Access Corrections does not handle photo delivery.
For digital photo services, use JPay or TextBehind if available at the facility.
Phone Calls
Access Corrections does not handle phone call accounts.
For phone calls at GTL facilities, create a separate GTL calling account through the GTL Connect app or telmate.com.
Money Transfer
Send funds to inmate commissary trust accounts at 1,500+ GTL-contracted facilities nationwide.
Debit card, credit card, and cash at MoneyGram/retail locations accepted. Processing fees apply. Funds typically credited within one to two business days.
Set Up Money TransferAccess Corrections Coverage
Facility types and geographic regions served by this provider.
Facility Types
Geographic Coverage
All 50 states, primarily at GTL-contracted facilities
Coverage Notes
Access Corrections works alongside GTL's phone and video services. If a facility uses GTL for phone and video, Access Corrections is typically the commissary deposit option. For non-GTL facilities, other platforms such as JPay, Securus, or TouchPay handle deposits.
Facilities Served by Access Corrections
Sample correctional facilities where this provider operates. Full coverage list available on the provider's website.
Access Corrections Pricing Overview
Approximate pricing for common services. Exact rates may vary by facility and state contract.
Access Corrections Fee Schedule
- Account Registration
- No cost to use accesscorrections.com.
- Free
- Online Transfer
- Percentage or flat fee depending on amount and payment method.
- Fee applies
- Phone Transfer
- Slightly higher than online rates. Convenience fee for phone-based deposits.
- Fee applies
- In-Person (Cash)
- Cash deposits at MoneyGram or Walmart locations. Fee varies by amount.
- Fee applies
Prices are estimates based on publicly available information and may change. Confirm current pricing on the Access Corrections website before use.
Access Corrections — Pros & Cons
An honest look at the strengths and limitations of Access Corrections.
Strengths
- Covers 1,500+ facilities in all 50 states, making it one of the most widely accessible deposit platforms.
- Multiple payment options including online, phone, and in-person cash at retail locations.
- Straightforward process with no account required for some deposit types.
- Widely recognized at GTL-contracted facilities, so facility staff can confirm it is the correct platform.
- Funds typically credited within one to two business days.
Limitations
- Money transfer only — no phone, video, messaging, or photo services.
- Families at GTL facilities still need a separate GTL calling account, which requires a second account setup.
- Processing fees add cost over time, especially for frequent smaller deposits.
- Not universal — families at non-GTL facilities must use a different deposit platform.
- No mobile app. Web-based only, which is less convenient for mobile users.
Frequently Asked Questions: Access Corrections
Common questions from families about using Access Corrections.
- How do I send money through Access Corrections?
- Visit accesscorrections.com and search for the facility by name, city, or state. Enter the inmate's ID or booking number. Choose a payment method — debit card, credit card, or cash at a participating retail location — and complete the transaction. Funds are typically credited to the inmate's trust account within one to two business days. A processing fee is charged at the time of the transaction.
- Is Access Corrections the same as GTL?
- Access Corrections is operated in partnership with GTL (ViaPath Technologies) and is the commissary deposit platform for GTL-contracted facilities. They are related services under the same corporate umbrella, but they are separate platforms. GTL handles phone calls and video visits. Access Corrections handles commissary deposits. You may need accounts on both platforms at a GTL-served facility.
- Do I need an Access Corrections account to send money?
- Not always. Some deposits can be completed as a guest transaction without creating an account. Creating an account allows you to save the inmate's information and view your deposit history, which makes repeat deposits faster. For one-time or infrequent deposits, the guest option is sufficient.
- How long does it take for an Access Corrections deposit to appear?
- Funds are typically credited to the inmate's trust account within one to two business days. Processing times depend on the facility's schedule for updating inmate accounts. Weekend and holiday deposits may take slightly longer. If funds have not appeared after three business days, contact Access Corrections customer support with your transaction confirmation number.
- Can I use Access Corrections to fund phone calls?
- No. Access Corrections handles commissary trust account deposits only. To fund phone calls at a GTL facility, you need to create a separate GTL calling account through telmate.com or the GTL Connect app and add funds there. Phone account funds and commissary trust account funds are separate. You will need both accounts if your loved one needs both phone access and commissary spending.
Related Providers
Other inmate communication providers you may want to consider.
Get Started with Access Corrections
Visit the official Access Corrections website to create your account, or browse supported facilities and compare alternatives to find the best option for your family.