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How to send money to someone in jail

Don't let legal hurdles get in the way of sending money to loved ones.

Adrienne Fuller

Updated Jul 15, 2020

Fact checked

Inmates often depend on deposits to their commissary accounts from family and friends. Depending on the facility, money transfers from JPay could be an option for getting money to an inmate.

I want to send

	Min. Transfer Amount	Transfer Speed	Online Transfer Fee	Rate	Amount Received	Description	CTA	Details
	$1	Within an hour	USD 8.00	0.978	USD 4,880	MoneyGram has fast cash pick-up transfers to more than 350,000 agent locations worldwide.		Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Agent, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer, International Money Order Transfer options N/A Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, AFN, ALL, AMD, ANG, AOA, ARS, AUD, AWG, AZN, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BIF, BMD, BND, BOB, BRL, BSD, BTN, BWP, BZD, CAD, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CZK, DJF, DKK, DOP, DZD, EGP, ERN, ETB, EUR, FJD, GBP, GEL, GHS, GIP, GMD, GNF, GTQ, GYD, HKD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, IQD, IRR, ISK, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KRW, KWD, KYD, KZT, LAK, LBP, LKR, LRD, LSL, LYD, MAD, MDL, MGA, MKD, MNT, MOP, MRO, MUR, MVR, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NAD, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PAB, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SAR, SBD, SCR, SDG, SEK, SGD, SLL, SRD, STD, SVC, SZL, THB, TJS, TND, TOP, TRY, TTD, TWD, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, UZS, VEF, VND, VUV, WST, XAF, XCD, XOF, XPF, YER, ZAR, ZMW, BYN Read the full review
	$1	3 - 5 days	USD 20.00	0.975	USD 4,856	Western Union sends money online to friends and family in 200+ countries around the world.		Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Agent, Bank Account to Bank Account, International Money Order Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments Customer service Phone, Chat, Email, Branch Available currencies AED, AFN, ALL, AMD, ANG, AOA, ARS, AUD, AWG, AZN, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BIF, BMD, BND, BOB, BRL, BSD, BTN, BWP, BZD, CAD, CDF, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CUP, CVE, CZK, DJF, DKK, DOP, DZD, EGP, ERN, ETB, EUR, FJD, FKP, GBP, GEL, GGP, GHS, GIP, GMD, GNF, GTQ, GYD, HKD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, IMP, INR, IQD, IRR, ISK, JEP, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KPW, KRW, KWD, KYD, KZT, LAK, LBP, LKR, LRD, LSL, LYD, MAD, MDL, MGA, MKD, MMK, MNT, MOP, MRO, MUR, MVR, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NAD, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PAB, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, QAR, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SAR, SBD, SCR, SDG, SEK, SGD, SHP, SLL, SOS, SPL, SRD, STD, SYP, SZL, THB, TJS, TMT, TND, TOP, TRY, TTD, TVD, TWD, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, UZS, VEF, VND, VUV, WST, XAF, XCD, XDR, XOF, XPF, YER, ZAR, ZMW Read the full review

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What are my options?

Inmates are not allowed to have cash, which is considered contraband. Instead, they use an inmate account for all transactions.

Depending on the inmate’s facility, you may be able to deposit money directly into the inmate’s account online or by phone. With some jails and prisons, you’ll be required to use a proprietary system for commissary deposits. However, most also accept payments through JPay, a partnership with MoneyGram, and Western Union.

Using JPay/MoneyGram to send money to an inmate

JPay is a private corrections-related service provider that contracts with correctional facilities in 35 states. It’s not only for money transfers — it also provides email, video visitation and probation payments to inmates across the US. Money is typically delivered on the same day but could take longer, depending on the facility.

You have three options for payment through JPay:

JPay’s website or by phone.
In-person transfers at any of 40,000 MoneyGram agent locations nationwide.
Online with a credit or debit card or bank account.

To deposit cash in person at a MoneyGram location, you’ll need to complete and present an ExpressPayment service form with your ID. Credit cards, debit cards and cash payments are accepted. The money is deposited to your love one’s account within minutes but may not be available for use until the next day.

To send money, you will need to know:

The four-digit Receive Code that corresponds to the specific facility you’re sending money to.
The inmate’s ID number — typically eight digits followed by the inmate’s last name.

Fees vary by facility.

Using Western Union to send money to an inmate

Western Union has a network of more than 45,000 agent locations across the US.

Through Western Union’s Inmate Service, you can send money:

Online
By phone
Account deposit — often on the same day

To send money, you will need to know:

The name of the facility you’re sending to
The inmate’s ID number — typically eight digits followed by the inmate’s last name

Fees vary by facility but range from $9.95 for payment by credit or debit card to up to $29 for cash.

Other options by state

State	Method of transfer
Alabama Idaho Kansas Nevada Oklahoma Oregon Utah	Access Corrections
California	Personal cashier’s check via lockbox Electronic funds transfer (EFT) US Post Office
Florida	In-person cash deposit at Video Visitation Center
Illinois	Global Tel Link Money order
Nevada	Touchpay credit and debit transaction

When a loved one is incarcerated, it’s not always easy to know how to help. By sending money directly to their commissary account, you can rest assured that they’ll have the means to get by more comfortably while there.

Frequently asked questions

Thank you for your feedback!

Adrienne Fuller

Adrienne Fuller is the head of publishing at Finder US. With a decade of experience creating guides in finance and education, she aims to deliver the accurate and transparent information she wishes she had when she made some of life's important financial decisions. For the past 3 years she has been the publisher of money transfers, helping readers save when they send money all over the globe. She has a BA from Colorado College and loves to hike with her two Catahoula dogs around her home in San Diego.

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8 Responses

NarasimhamurthyMarch 26, 2019

How to registered the western union

finder Customer Care

BellaMarch 27, 2019Staff

Hi Narasimhamurthy,

Thanks for your inquiry.

You may sign up or register to Western Union by visiting their website. This is free to do and only requires you to provide your name, contact details, and information concerning your linked bank account, credit card or debit card.

I hope this helps.

Kind regards,
Bella

What'sMarch 10, 2019

What’s that max amount I can send inmates in South Carolina Dept of corrections per day,week”month

finder Customer Care

nikkiangcoMarch 12, 2019Staff

Hi there,

Thanks for getting in touch! We don’t have the information for the South Carolina Dept of Corrections but normally, a new inmate needs at least $100 to purchase sweatpants, sweatshirts, shorts and sneakers. On average, $40 to $80 a month allows for the purchase of basic necessities. For $100 to $200 per month, your loved one can afford a few extras beyond the basics. Generally, $300 a month is more than sufficient for basics necessities plus extra items that may bring more comfort.

Hope this was helpful. Don’t hesitate to message us back if you have more questions.

Best,
Nikki

AmandaSeptember 23, 2018

What happens if I didn’t include inmate number on money orders?

finder Customer Care

nikkiangcoSeptember 24, 2018Staff

Hey Amanda!

Thanks for your inquiry and for visiting our page.

If the inmate number and correctional ID is not included when sending money into the facility. the receiver won’t be able to collect the funds.

Hope this helps!

Regards,

Nikki

RobertJuly 9, 2018

Dear, Expert,

I am trying already 7 months to find a way to send momey to a Nevada facility in Las Vegas, but there is only Access Corrections. The problem with that is that it is not possible to register on their site, if the state you are living in is not in the USA.
I am from the Netherlands, I asked my bank and another bank here, but a cashier check and money order is not in use here anymore. Please can you let me know if there is something I overlooked or another possibiity ,

Thank you, Robert

finder Customer Care

JoshuaJuly 17, 2018Staff

Hi Robert,

Thanks for getting in touch with finder. I hope all is well with you. :)

I’m sorry to hear about the difficulty you are going through when it comes to sending money. If directly sending the money won’t work, what you can do is send the money to someone you trust in the US. From there, that someone can then send the money directly to that person in prison.

I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.

Have a wonderful day!

Cheers,
Joshua

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How to send money to someone in jail

Don't let legal hurdles get in the way of sending money to loved ones.

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