Sending Money in Iowa (Iowa DOC)

How to deposit funds

Money for commissary and personal spending goes into the incarcerated individual’s account. The Iowa DOC accepts deposits from friends and family through three vendors, and families may use whichever they prefer:

• Access Corrections
• JPay
• Western Union

Each vendor takes deposits online or by phone. A deposit is typically credited to the account within about a day.

You will need the incarcerated individual’s full name and Iowa DOC offender number to direct a deposit. The offender number can be confirmed through the Iowa DOC offender search.

Choosing a vendor

All three vendors deposit into the same account, so the choice comes down to which one is most convenient and what each charges. Because fees differ by vendor and by the amount sent, compare the fee each one quotes for the amount you intend to deposit before completing the transaction.

Fees

Deposit fees are set by each vendor and change over time. A vendor shows its fee before a transaction is completed, so confirm the current amount at checkout. Because Access Corrections, JPay, and Western Union each set their own fees, the cost for the same deposit can differ from one vendor to another.

Is a mailed money order an option?

Whether a money order can be mailed to the facility, and where it would be sent, is not something this guide can confirm. Do not assume a mailing address. Check the official Iowa DOC Send Money page, or contact the facility, to confirm whether a mailed money order is accepted and where to send it before mailing anything.

Don’t hand money over at a visit

Funds are added only through the methods above. Money is not accepted in person during a visit. Deposits must go through Access Corrections, JPay, or Western Union — online or by phone — not to a staff member at the prison.

For the general, nationwide overview of this topic, see the national guide: Sending Money.