Sending Money

How Commissary & Trust Accounts Work

The Basics

When you send money to someone who is incarcerated, you’re not sending cash. Instead, you’re depositing money into their commissary or trust account—essentially an account that the facility manages on their behalf. The incarcerated person uses this money to buy items from the prison commissary (the prison store), pay for services like phone calls or video visits, or cover certain fees and court costs.

Think of it like a debit account. You deposit money from outside, and the incarcerated person can “withdraw” it by purchasing items or services. The facility controls what can be purchased, when, and by whom.

Commissary vs. Trust Accounts

These terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but there are distinctions:

• Commissary Account: The portion of the account used specifically for purchasing items from the prison store (food, hygiene products, electronics, etc.). Spending limits may apply.
• Trust Account: A broader category that may include commissary funds, but also covers phone deposits, video visit fees, court fees, restitution payments, and other facility expenses.

Some facilities use these terms differently, so always verify with your specific facility which account type applies to your situation.

Who Can Deposit Money?

In most facilities, anyone can deposit money for an incarcerated person. You don’t need to be a family member or be on a visitor list (though some facilities do have restrictions on which individuals can deposit). Verify this with your specific facility.

Ways to Deposit Money

Overview of Deposit Methods

There are several ways to put money in someone’s commissary account, each with different costs, speeds, and convenience levels:

1. Online Deposit (JPay, GTL/ViaPath, Securus)

How it works: You create an account on the service provider’s website or app, enter your payment information (debit/credit card), and specify the incarcerated person by name and facility. The deposit is processed electronically.

Speed: 1-3 business days in most cases. Some facilities offer same-day or next-day processing.

Costs: Varies by provider, but typically $1.95 to $3.95 per transaction plus a small percentage. Some providers charge a flat fee instead.

Convenience: High—can be done from home 24/7, and you can set up recurring deposits.

2. Money Order (Mail or In-Person)

How it works: You purchase a money order from a post office, bank, or retail store (Western Union, MoneyGram) and mail it to the facility, or in some cases, deliver it in person. The facility processes it and credits the account.

Speed: 1-3 weeks if mailed. Varies if delivered in person.

Costs: Money order fee ($0.50-$2.00) plus postage ($0.63).

Convenience: Low—requires time to purchase and mail, and depends on facility mail processing.

Risk: Lost mail is a possibility. Some visitors send money orders certified mail for a small additional fee.

3. MoneyGram or Western Union (In-Person or Online)

How it works: You go to a MoneyGram or Western Union location (or use their website) and send money directly to a facility or designated agent. The facility then credits the account.

Speed: Same day in most cases.

Costs: Higher than other methods. Typical fees are $4-$10 for smaller amounts, depending on the location and amount sent.

Convenience: Medium—requires finding a location, but faster than mail.

4. Debit/Credit Card Direct (Some Facilities)

How it works: Some facilities accept deposits directly via credit or debit card over the phone. You call the facility’s business office and provide payment information.

Speed: Same day or next day.

Costs: Varies by facility. May have higher fees since card processing fees are applied.

Convenience: Medium—quick once you reach the right office, but phone access can be limited.

Deposit Fees Comparison

What Commissary Includes & Costs

Typical Commissary Items

Prison commissaries vary in what they offer, but typical items include:

• Food: Instant ramen, snacks, candy, instant coffee, honey buns, chips, cookies
• Hygiene products: Shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, lotion, feminine hygiene products
• Clothing & shoes: Thermal underwear, socks, t-shirts, shoes (prices vary widely)
• Reading material: Magazines, newspapers, books (if allowed)
• Commissary electronics: Tablets, headphones, MP3 players (in some facilities)
• Supplies for hobbies: Art supplies, writing materials, postage stamps
• Phone/communication deposits: Adding funds to phone accounts or video visit credits

Rough Price Ranges

Commissary prices vary significantly by facility and region, but here are typical ranges based on what many visitors report:

• Instant ramen: $0.35 - $0.75 per package (retail: ~$0.20)
• Candy bars: $0.75 - $1.50 (retail: ~$0.50-$1.00)
• Shampoo/conditioner: $2.00 - $5.00 (retail: ~$2.00-$4.00)
• Deodorant: $2.50 - $4.50 (retail: ~$1.50-$3.00)
• Socks (pair): $3.00 - $8.00 (retail: ~$2.00-$4.00)
• Shoes: $50 - $150 (retail: ~$40-$100)

Variation by Facility

Some facilities have extensive commissaries with hundreds of items, while others have limited options. Private prisons, state facilities, and federal facilities often have different commissaries. Check with your specific facility to see what’s available.

Restricted Items

Each facility maintains a list of items that cannot be purchased from commissary. Common restrictions include:

• Anything with a high alcohol content
• Certain types of tattoo supplies or “weapons-adjacent” items
• Some electronics or communication devices
• Items that could be used for drug use
• Sexually explicit materials

Ask the facility for a commissary menu or restricted items list if you want to know what’s available before sending money.

Spending Limits

What Are Spending Limits?

Many facilities limit how much an incarcerated person can spend from their commissary account each week or month, even if they have more money available. These limits are set by the facility and vary widely.

Typical Limits

• No limit (some facilities don’t restrict spending)
• $30-$50 per week
• $50-$100 per week
• $100-$200 per week
• Limits vary by housing unit or custody level

Limits vary significantly by state, facility security level, and facility policy. What’s true for one facility may not be true for another.

Account Caps

Some facilities also limit the total balance that can be held in a commissary account. For example, an incarcerated person might not be allowed to have more than $300-$500 in their account at any given time. Once they reach the cap, new deposits cannot be credited until the balance drops below the limit through spending.

Timeline for Deposits

When Money Actually Arrives

This is one of the most frustrating aspects of sending money to someone who is incarcerated. “Processing time” doesn’t always mean the money is available immediately.

Typical Timeline

The provider might say “1-3 business days,” but that’s just when they send the money to the facility. The facility’s processing adds another week or more in some cases.

Deductions & Restitution

What Gets Deducted

Money in a trust or commissary account is not completely under the incarcerated person’s control. The facility and state can deduct money for various reasons:

Common Deductions

• Phone calls and video visits: Directly deducted when used
• Court fees and fines: Taken by the court system for legal costs, filing fees, or court-ordered fines
• Restitution: Money ordered by the court to be paid to crime victims. This can be a significant deduction and takes priority over other expenses
• Agency fees: Some states charge incarcerated people fees for housing, medical care, or other services
• Victim compensation: Money allocated for victim assistance programs
• Inmate welfare fund: Some facilities deduct a small amount for general facility programs or maintenance
• DNA testing fees: In some states, the cost of DNA testing is deducted from accounts

Restitution Priority

Restitution is almost always the highest priority deduction. If someone has a restitution order, money in their account will be automatically applied to that debt before they can spend it on commissary. This means that even if you send money, much of it may go directly to restitution rather than being available for purchases.

Checking for Deductions

To find out if someone has court-ordered deductions:

• Contact the facility’s business office directly
• Ask the incarcerated person to check their account statement (if available)
• Review the sentencing documents or court orders
• Contact the court that issued the sentence for information about restitution

Transfers Between Facilities

When someone is transferred to a different facility, their account money should transfer with them—but sometimes this doesn’t happen immediately or smoothly.