Money sent to someone incarcerated goes into their commissary or "trust" account, which they use to buy things like snacks, hygiene items, stamps, and phone or tablet time. Every facility requires this to go through an approved deposit method — never cash or a personal check mailed in an envelope, which is rejected almost everywhere and can get your letter flagged. The specific service depends entirely on which state and facility someone is in, so the first step is always figuring out which provider that facility actually uses.
JPay Most Common
Owned by ViaPath (formerly GTL). Deposit online at jpay.com, through the JPay app, or by phone. Funds usually post to the person's account within a few hours to a day. You'll need their full name, ID number, and the facility/state they're housed in to set up a transfer.
ViaPath / Securus
Some states run money transfers directly through ViaPath's or Securus's own consumer portal instead of JPay specifically — functionally similar, just a different login and app. Whichever one a facility uses is usually the same company that handles its phone calls and video visits.
Access Corrections
A separate deposit-only service (not tied to phone/video) used by a number of state and county systems. Set up a free account at accesscorrections.com or by phone; deposits are typically available within 24 hours.
Money Order or Cashier's Check
Some facilities still accept a traditional money order mailed directly to the facility (never cash) with the person's full name and ID number written on it. This is slower and less common now, but still the only option at some smaller or county-run facilities.
- Check the facility's own website first. Most state DOC sites list the exact approved deposit method(s) for each facility under a "family and friends" or "send money" page.
- Ask the facility directly. The mailroom or inmate services line can confirm the current provider — this occasionally changes when a state switches phone/commissary vendors.
- Match it to the phone provider. JPay, ViaPath, and Securus each bundle phone calls, video visits, and money transfers under one account — so whichever company handles calls at that facility is a good first guess for money too.
- When in doubt, start small. Set up the account and send a modest first deposit to confirm it actually reaches the person's account before sending anything larger.
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