Important note
Correctional communication rules, approved services, fees, schedules, and mail procedures vary by facility and can change. Confirm current requirements directly with the facility or its official communication provider before sending money, mail, photographs, or gifts. Unchained Connections is a public pen-pal directory; it is not a correctional agency, legal or medical service, or messaging provider, and it cannot guarantee that a service is available or that a message will be delivered.
Fees and availability: No price or service listed here should be treated as universal. Check the current facility-approved provider and correctional agency instructions before paying or scheduling.
A popular method of providing for an inmate while they are detained is to send them money, which enables them to pay for essentials like phone calls, snacks, and personal hygiene goods. Here’s how to do it safely and legally:
✅ Step-by-Step: How to Send Money to an Inmate
- Identify the Facility
Before anything else, determine:
Which facility the inmate is housed in (state prison, federal prison, or local jail)
The inmate’s full name and ID number/inmate number
Each facility has specific rules and systems for receiving funds.
- Check Approved Money Transfer Methods
Most correctional facilities work with third-party vendors. Common legal and secure methods include:
🔹 Federal Prisons (BOP – Bureau of Prisons)
MoneyGram
Western Union
Mail (U.S. Postal Money Orders only)
🔹 State Prisons
Each state’s Department of Corrections (DOC) may use one or more of the following:
JPay (used in many states)
Access Corrections
ViaPath / ConnectNetwork (formerly GTL) / ConnectNetwork
MoneyGram
Visit the facility’s official website or DOC site for exact options.
🔹 Local Jails
Many local jails accept deposits via kiosks in the lobby, online, or phone payments through services like:
TouchPay
JailATM
- Create an Account
With the service used by the facility:
Go to the vendor’s website (e.g., JPay.com, AccessCorrections.com)
Create an account
Link a payment method (credit/debit card or bank transfer)
Add the inmate using their name and ID number
- Send the Funds
Follow the on-screen instructions. You’ll typically:
Choose the inmate
Enter the amount
Confirm and submit
You’ll get a confirmation and often a receipt number.
⚠️ Tips for Sending Money Safely
Only use official and approved vendors. Don’t send money to individuals claiming to forward it for you.
Never give your personal banking info to a third party.
Avoid mailing cash or personal checks—they’re often not accepted and can be risky.
Double-check the inmate ID to avoid sending money to the wrong person.
📬 Mailing Money (for facilities that allow it)
Some facilities still accept:
U.S. Postal Money Orders
Include the inmate’s full name and ID on the money order and envelope.
Mail it to the specified facility address or lockbox.
🔒 Final Notes
Always consult the facility’s website or call them for the latest and most accurate procedures. Policies can vary even between prisons in the same state.
Let me know the state or facility name, and I can help you look up the exact process if you want!
Official guidance
- Federal Bureau of Prisons: Communication with people in custody
- Federal Bureau of Prisons: Facility directory
- For state and local facilities, use the correctional agency’s official website and the facility’s current instructions.
This article is general information, not legal, medical, financial, or professional advice.