How to Send Money & Commissary Funds to County Jail Inmates
Detained individuals rely on funds deposited into their institutional trust accounts to purchase hygiene supplies, supplemental nutrition, writing materials, and telephone calling credits. This guide details the authorized methods for transferring money safely and legally to county detention facilities.
1. Understanding the Inmate Trust Account
Upon intake into an adult detention facility, any cash in the arrestee's physical possession is inventoried and credited to a personal internal ledger known as an Inmate Trust Account (or Commissary Account). Inmates cannot hold physical currency inside the facility; all transactions are debited electronically against their ledger balance.
Funds deposited by family members are used for two primary purposes:
- Commissary Purchases: Non-essential items including warm clothing, sneakers, over-the-counter medications, snack foods, writing pads, and envelopes.
- Telecommunications & Messaging: Outgoing telephone calls, digital text messaging via inmate tablets, and prepaid video visitation sessions.
2. Four Authorized Deposit Channels
Major contracted payment vendors (such as TouchPay, JPay, Access Corrections, or JailATM) allow online debit/credit card deposits. Funds typically post within 15 to 60 minutes. You will need the inmate's full legal name and county booking ID number.
Most county jail public lobbies house automated electronic deposit kiosks. These machines accept cash bills (exact change only) as well as Visa and MasterCard. Processing fees at kiosks are typically lower than phone or internet transactions.
Vendors offer toll-free automated IVR telephone systems where friends and family can deposit funds using a debit card. Have the facility jurisdiction code and inmate identifier ready before calling.
For families seeking to avoid processing fees, most facilities accept certified United States Postal Service (USPS) money orders mailed directly to the jail accounting office. Make the money order payable to the inmate's full legal name and include their booking number on the memo line.
Critical Warning: Never Send Cash in Postal Mail
Federal correctional mail handling rules strictly prohibit sending paper cash, coins, personal payroll checks, or postage stamps in personal correspondence envelopes. Any envelope containing currency will be treated as contraband, confiscated by facility inspectors, and potentially logged into evidence, resulting in severe delays or disciplinary action for the detainee.
3. Institutional Deductions and Debt Offsets
Be aware that many county correctional jurisdictions enforce statutory booking fees or daily housing co-pays (frequently authorized under state law). When an arrestee enters custody with outstanding balances from past incarcerations or medical copays, the facility may automatically allocate a percentage (often 25% to 50%) of newly deposited funds toward satisfying those institutional obligations before making the remainder available for commissary spending.