Sending Money in CDCR

How Trust Accounts Work

A trust account is an account held in your inmate’s name where money is stored and managed by the facility.

What is a trust account?

• Money you send is deposited into the inmate’s trust account
• The account is held and managed by the CDCR/facility, not the inmate
• Inmate can access the money to buy commissary items during scheduled ordering times
• Money can also be used for phone calls, video visits, and some services
• Accounts are facility-specific—a transfer means a new account at the new facility
• Upon release, remaining balance is returned to the inmate
• If the inmate is released and you deposited money, you generally don’t get it back

Setting up a trust account

You don’t set it up—it’s automatic.

• When an inmate is booked into a facility, a trust account is created automatically
• The account number is the inmate’s CDC# or A# number
• You can start sending money immediately (once you know the inmate’s number)
• No application or approval needed
• Each facility has its own account system, so transfers mean a new account at the new facility

Checking the account balance

• Ask the inmate: They receive statement printouts at commissary time. Ask them about balance in letters or calls
• Visit in person: You can ask staff to check the balance during a visit (they may or may not comply)
• Online portals: Some facilities allow family members to check balances online. Not all do
• Money services: MoneyGram and JPay sometimes show you confirmation when the deposit posts
• Call the facility: You can call the trust account office and provide the inmate’s name and number to ask for balance

Account deductions and holds

Money in the trust account can be deducted for various reasons:

• Fines and restitution: Court-ordered payments are deducted automatically
• Program fees: Some educational or vocational programs charge fees
• Debt to the facility: Damaged property, medical costs, or other charges
• Child support: If owing, CDCR deducts automatically
• Crime victim restitution: Mandatory deduction for certain offenses
• Holds: Pending investigations or litigation can freeze accounts

The inmate should know about these deductions, but sometimes they happen without explanation. Ask your inmate if their balance doesn’t match what you sent.

Ways to Send Money

You have several options, each with different costs, speed, and reliability.

Option 1: MoneyGram

The most common method for sending money to California prisons.

• How it works: You go to a MoneyGram location (Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, etc.), provide inmate name and number, send cash
• Processing time: 1-2 business days, sometimes same day
• Cost: $5.95 - $9.95 depending on amount
• Limits: Usually $500-$1,000 per transaction depending on location
• Multiple transactions: You can send multiple MoneyGrams, but there are daily/monthly limits on the receiving end
• Verification: You get a confirmation number; keep it in case there’s an issue

Option 2: JPay (GeoTel Communications)

Online service specifically for inmate accounts.

• How it works: Create account on JPay website, provide inmate details, fund with credit/debit card, transfer to inmate account
• Processing time: 1-5 business days
• Cost: $1.50 - $3.95 depending on amount
• Convenience: Can do from home on your computer
• Limits: Varies by facility, typically $500 per transaction
• Monthly cap: Subject to facility limits (usually $360/month)
• Bonus: Some facilities offer lower per-transaction fees if you use JPay

Option 3: USPS Mail (Cash)

The free method, but it’s risky.

• How it works: Put cash in an envelope, address to inmate, mail to facility
• Cost: Only postage ($0.68)
• Processing time: 4-10 business days (mail screening delays)
• Risk: Money can be lost, stolen, or never processed. Not traceable
• Documentation: Include a note saying how much is enclosed
• Facility rules: Some facilities don’t accept cash by mail. Check first
• Bottom line: Only send small amounts (under $20) this way, and don’t rely on it

Option 4: Wire Transfer / Bank Transfer

Less common but available at some facilities.

• How it works: Contact the facility’s trust account office for wire instructions, wire money from your bank
• Cost: $10-30 wire transfer fee (from your bank, not facility)
• Processing time: 3-5 business days
• Good for: Large amounts or regular deposits from your own bank account
• Verification: You get a wire confirmation number for your records
• Downside: Most families don’t have the facility’s banking info; not as convenient as MoneyGram

Choosing the right method for you

• Fast + convenient: JPay (online, 1-5 days)
• Fast + in-person: MoneyGram (1-2 days, but you go to store)
• Cheapest: USPS mail ($0.68, but risky)
• Large amounts: Wire transfer (higher fees but reliable)
• Regular deposits: Set up JPay or MoneyGram recurring if available
• Backup option: Have a secondary method ready in case your primary fails

Fees & Costs

Sending money involves fees at every step. Understanding them helps you minimize waste.

Complete cost comparison

Example: To get $100 to your inmate, you actually send:

• MoneyGram: $105.95 - $109.95
• JPay: $101.50 - $103.95
• USPS: $20.68 (plus risk)
• Wire: $510 - $535 (for $500)

Hidden fees and charges

• Facility processing fee: Some facilities charge $1-5 per transaction. Ask your facility
• Returned check fee: If you use a check and it bounces, you pay the fee
• Declined card fee: Some systems charge a small fee if your card is declined
• Monthly maintenance: Rarely, but some systems charge for account inactivity
• Rush deposit fees: Some expedited services cost extra (rarely used)

Cost-saving strategies

• Use JPay: Usually cheapest sending method ($1.50-$3.95 vs MoneyGram’s $5.95-$9.95)
• Send larger amounts at once: Fees don’t scale proportionally. $100 and $200 might cost the same fee
• Weekly small deposits beat monthly big ones: $20 weekly = $80/month, but monthly $80 might be rejected for limit. Check your facility’s limits
• Avoid MoneyGram unless you have no online access: JPay is almost always cheaper
• Mail cash only for amounts under $20: Not worth the risk for larger amounts
• Track which service your facility prefers: Some facilities process JPay faster than MoneyGram

Commissary: What They Can Buy

The trust account is used for commissary—the prison store where inmates buy items they can’t get otherwise.

What commissary is

• Prison-operated store where inmates can buy personal items
• Usually held 1-2 times per month (commissary day)
• Inmates order items from a catalog or app
• Items are delivered to their cell/unit over several days
• Cost varies by facility and quality of items
• Markup on commissary is significant (food costs 2-3x retail)
• Quality is often poor compared to outside world

Common commissary items and costs

What’s NOT available on commissary

• Fresh food (no produce, no fresh meat)
• Most beverages (no soda, juice, coffee usually—unless instant)
• Prescription medications (medical dispensary only)
• Electronics (except pre-approved items at some facilities)
• Alcohol of any kind (obviously)
• Tobacco products (banned in California prisons)
• Most name-brand items
• High-quality toiletries
• Special dietary items (low-sodium, gluten-free, etc. rarely available)

Why commissary matters inside

Commissary access directly impacts quality of life:

• Hygiene: Commissary items are better quality than state-issued supplies
• Nutrition: Food monotony inside is severe. Commissary snacks provide variety
• Morale: Ability to “treat yourself” psychologically important
• Social currency: Inmates without commissary funds are often social outcasts. Money = respect
• Communication: Stamps and stationery for letters depend on commissary access
• Prison economy: Commissary items are traded/bartered for favors and services inside

Regular commissary access significantly improves an inmate’s mental health and social stability.

Commissary day and ordering process

• When: Usually 1-2 specific days per month (varies by facility and housing unit)
• How to order: Paper form or digital app depending on facility
• Deadline: Orders must be in by a specific time (usually the day before or week before)
• Payment: Deducted from trust account balance at time of order
• Delivery: Items delivered over several days to cells/units
• Limits: Monthly spending limit ($360 typical, varies by facility)
• Backlog: During holidays, commissary ordering closes or gets backed up

Spending Limits & Restrictions

California prisons place caps on how much money you can send and how much inmates can spend.

Monthly spending limits

• Standard limit: $360 per month at most facilities
• Varies by custody level: Maximum security might have lower limits
• Special circumstances: Some inmates get higher limits (medical needs, support animals, etc.)
• Enforcement: Commissary orders refused if balance exceeds monthly limit
• Carryover: Unused money doesn’t roll over to next month at most facilities
• Phone/video costs: Usually count against the limit (varies by facility)

Restrictions on sending

• Who can send: Anyone (family, friends, organizations). No restrictions on sender
• How much per transaction: Usually $500-$1000 per transaction depending on method
• Frequency: Can send daily if you want (but subject to monthly limit on receiving end)
• Total allowed at once: Monthly limit is the real cap. Can’t accumulate
• Verification required: Must know inmate’s full name and number

What happens if you exceed the limit

• Overage held: Money above the monthly limit stays in account but can’t be spent on commissary
• Commissary refused: Inmate’s commissary order is rejected if account balance exceeds monthly limit
• Restricted uses: Money above limit might be spendable on phone calls or canteen (varies)
• Carryover policy: Each facility’s carryover policy is different. Some reset monthly, others allow limited carryover
• No refund: You can’t get the overage back. It stays in the account

How to work within limits strategically

• Send consistently: $90/week ($360/month) ensures regular commissary
• Coordinate with inmate: Ask what they need before you send money
• Time deposits: Send at beginning of month to ensure it’s available for commissary day
• Check facility policy: Some facilities allow slightly over-limit for certain needs
• Plan for transfers: If inmate transfers, new facility may have different limits
• Document your deposits: Keep records so inmate knows where money went

Additional Information

Account deductions and balance discrepancies

Account balances may be reduced for court-ordered fees, facility charges, or program costs. Deductions are documented in account statements. You can request explanations of deductions from facility financial staff.

Commissary pricing

Commissary items are marked up compared to outside retail prices. Markup varies by item and facility. Purchasing power depends on both deposit amount and facility pricing.

Commissary ordering availability

Commissary ordering may be suspended for inventory management, facility operations, or staffing issues. Ordering windows vary by facility and time period. Money in the account remains available when ordering resumes.

Monthly spending limits and overages

Monthly spending limits ($360 typical) are enforced at commissary time. Amounts deposited beyond the limit are held as overage and remain in the account. Account balance carries over across months but is limited by the monthly spending cap.

Fee comparison between sending methods

MoneyGram fees range from $5.95–$9.95. JPay fees are $1.50–$3.95 for equivalent transfers. Wire transfer fees vary by bank and amount. Calculate relative costs for each transfer method.

Account balance tracking

Account balance information is provided to the inmate at commissary time. Balance verification methods include facility phone inquiry or online access (when available). Direct communication with the inmate is the primary method of confirmation.

Commissary item availability

Popular commissary items may not be in stock at all ordering times. Out-of-stock items are not delivered and funds allocated for those items are not refunded. Review commissary catalogs to confirm availability before ordering.

Recurring deposits

Some accounts allow setup of recurring weekly or monthly deposits. Recurring deposits ensure consistent account funding without manual processing each time. Check with your facility about recurring deposit features.

Communication about needs

Ask your inmate what they need before sending money. Discussing specific needs prior to deposit prevents funding for unavailable or unwanted items.

Transaction documentation

Keep records of confirmation numbers, dates, amounts, and transfer method for each deposit. Documentation is required for disputing account discrepancies or tracking transfers.

Commissary availability by facility type

Commissary selection and pricing vary between facilities. Treatment facilities and newer facilities may offer different commissary options and pricing structures than older or maximum-security facilities.