Transfering Money to Inmates

In 1930, the Department of Justice added Commissary’s to Federal institutions. The Commissary was developed to help make a savings account for the monies that inmates receive not issued from the Federal State Penitentiary. For the first time, these accounts provided the Bureau of Prisons to keep responsibility for monies inmates obtain while confined. Funding sources are typically from family and friends, however, other sources are able to contribute as well.

If one were to send money to a Federal inmate, the best way to do so would be via the U.S. Postal Service or money transfer service via the Quick Collect Program. Before any monies can be retrieved, the prisoner must be housed at one of the Federal prisons. This means that if the prisoner is not physically living at one of these facilities, the monies cannot be posted and will be rejected - as anybody can send money to inmates through the mail. There are set guidelines that must be followed, otherwise, the monies may be rejected.

It is paramount to always remember that the funds are sent in the form of money order. The money order must be made out to the prisoner’s full legal name with their own eight-digit registration number. Again, cash or personal checks will not be accepted for deposit.

Other guidelines are also necessary. The name and address of the sender must show in the upper left hand corner of the envelope. This is necessary in case the mail needs to be returned to the sender. The deposit envelope cannot have anything other than the deposit. If this happens for any reason, the Bureau of Prisons will immediately dispose of all stuffs included with the deposit. If the funds are not received, it is the sender's job to trace the monies through the firm where the money order was purchased.

As formerly mentioned, monies can also be sent to inmates through money transfer services, also known as the Quick Collect Program. If sent between the hours of 7:00am and 9:00pm Eastern Standard time, monies sent via this manner will post to the prisoner’s account within 2-4 hours. Any money received after this time will be posted the next business day by 7:00am.

Once again, as reminder: It is crucial that the sender is aware of the explicit instructions of sending funds. If for any reason, the prisoner number is incorrect and funds are unintentionally posted to another inmate's account, the monies will most likely not be returned.