Sending Money to an Incarcerated Person

Incarceration can be an isolating experience. The financial restraints associated with prison can make it difficult for individuals to stay connected with their loved ones.

Sending money helps financially and offers a source of encouragement and connection from outside the prison walls.

This blog post will guide you through how to send money safely and effectively to an incarcerated person. Read on for all the details!

Factors You Need to Consider Before Sending the Money

When it comes to sending money to someone who is incarcerated, there are several factors that you need to keep in mind:

You’ll first consider how the prison or jail accepts incoming funds. Some facilities will receive funds via money order or online services.
Think about how much money you plan on sending. Some facilities will limit the amount of money to be received, so it’s essential to check with the individual facility for their policies.
Consider the security and convenience of your chosen method. Several methods of sending money to prisoners include online services or private vendors.
Check the regulations on how long you will have to wait before the incarcerated individual can access your funds. While some facilities may allow access right away, others may require waiting days or weeks before money can be spent or saved.
Check if a commissary is at the facility where your loved one is incarcerated. Commissaries offer goods and services that inmates can purchase using funds they have on account. If a commissary isn’t available, then there is no need to send money.
Look at the cost of sending money. Sometimes, there are fees for sending money to prisoners, so you’ll want to ensure you’re clear on the price before sending anything.

Ways of Sending Money to an Incarcerated Person

Whether you opt for online services or private vendors, there are plenty of options for sending money to an incarcerated person. Some include:

Money Orders

A money order is a document that orders one party to pay another party a fixed amount. You can purchase it at your local financial institution, like a bank or credit union, and fill it out.

To fill out a money order, you’ll need the following information:

The name of the inmate you are sending money to
The address of the prison facility where your loved one is located
The receiving location’s address and any further instructions for delivery.

To ensure successful delivery and receipt of your mail, provide the recipient’s name and number written on the front of the envelope, along with your contact information. Double-check all details to guarantee accuracy before sending it out!

You can buy a money order from one country and cash it in another, allowing you to send the funds from almost anywhere in the world.

While money orders can take a little longer to process, it is often a secure way to send money.

Wire Transfers

Wire transfers are a fast, convenient way to send money electronically. When you use this payment method, the receiving institution can withdraw the funds immediately and deposit them into your loved one’s account.

How to send money to an inmate through wire transfers:

Choose a reputable financial institution that offers wire transfers and open an account with them.
Provide the name of your loved one, their inmate ID number (usually found on the facility’s website), and the address of the prison to which they are incarcerated.
Submit your payment online or at a financial institution.

Wire transfers are typically deposited directly into your loved one’s inmate account, which they can access when needed.

Wire transfers are one of the fastest ways to send money to an incarcerated person. However, this method is not widely used.

Sending Money Through Western Union

Western Union is an international money transfer service that allows individuals to send money electronically. Western Union offers several convenient ways for you to make a payment, including

Online: you can send money to an incarcerated person directly through the Western Union app. To use this method:

Download the Western Union app from your phone and create an account using your email.
Select ‘send money to an inmate.’
Enter the location of the inmate together with the name and account number.
Make payment through your debit or credit card.

After completing the transaction, you will be given a number that you can track your transaction.

In-Person: you can also physically transfer funds by visiting a Western Union near you.

To do so, you will need your loved one’s name, your account information, and the receiving institution’s address.

You may also need your loved one’s inmate ID or other identifying information.

Through your phone, You can also make a call to 1-800-225-5227).

Here, you should give all the vital information you will be asked to provide, including the name and location of your loved one, account number, and the amount you wish to send.

The funds will then be deposited into your loved one’s Western Union account, which they can access when required.

One potential drawback of using Western Union to send money to an inmate is that the service may not be available in all locations.

Using a Private Vendor, such as JPay

It is an online money transfer service that allows individuals to securely and efficiently send money to an incarcerated person. To use this service, first create an account, then

Visit the J-pay.com homepage
On the menu, select ‘send money.’
Click on transfer if this icon is available; if not, click on continue
Select the method of payment you wish to use from your account
Enter the new card you are sending money to
Enter the amount of money you are sending.

It is a fast, convenient way to send money to your loved one and is available worldwide. With J-PAY, you can be confident that your funds will reach their destination quickly and securely.

Sending Money to an Inmate with Cashier’s Check

Cashier’s checks are like personalized cheques but can only be cashed by the bank that issued them and are not available at most banks.

To get secure payments, head down to your local financial institution that provides such services.

You can buy them from any bank branch or money-transferring company and mail them.

For added convenience, you should deposit it directly into their account; this way, they will receive automated notifications via Electronic Messaging System.

How to Add Money to an Offender’s Phone Account

Inmates telephone Services offer several options for adding money to your loved one’s phone account. It can be done online through the website, via mail, or in person at a local facility. To add funds online:

Pre-paid collect:

Go to the Inmates telephone Services website and create an account using your email address
Select ‘add funds to a prepaid collect account’ from the menu on the left side of the page
Enter your loved one’s inmate number and select a payment method (e.g., credit card, debit card, or PayPal)
Confirm your transaction details and submit payment to add funds to your loved one’s account.

To Add Funds Via Mail

Write a check payable to ‘Inmates telephone Services’ with your loved one’s inmate number on the check’s memo line.

To Add Funds in Person

Visit your local correctional facility and speak to an Inmate Telephone Services office representative about adding money to your loved one’s phone account.
Provide the representative with your loved one’s inmate number and payment information (e.g., credit card, debit card, or cash)
Confirm the transaction details and submit payment to add funds to your loved one’s account

FAQS

What Financial Requirements Do Inmates Have?

The financial needs of inmates vary considerably depending on several factors, such as the type of facility they are in, their living situation, and their expenses. Some everyday financial needs inmates may have included:

Paying for phone calls and other communications with family and friends.
Purchasing commissary items like food or toiletries to supplement their meals.
Paying for legal or medical services.

Can I Send Money to an Inmate in Another State?

Yes, you can send money to an inmate in another state through various online services or by contacting the department of corrections directly.

Some popular money transfer options include JPay and Western Union, which allow you to securely and quickly send funds electronically to your loved one no matter where they are.

What Types of Accounts do Inmates Use?

In many correctional facilities, inmates can set up and use different accounts for their expenses. They can include a

prepaid phone account that allows them to make calls and send messages
A commissary account that lets them purchase essential items from the facility store
An account with an external money transfer service like JPay or Western Union for sending funds to family and friends.

Some facilities also offer banking services like checking or savings accounts to deposit money into their inmate account or make other transactions.