Guidelines for Visiting Prisoners and Sending Money
Understand U.S. rules, procedures, and options for visiting inmates and sending them money safely and legally.
Staying connected with someone who is incarcerated can make a meaningful difference in their well-being and their chances of successful reentry after release. This guide explains, in plain language, how to arrange prison visits and how to send money to a person in custody in the United States, with a focus on common rules, security requirements, and official procedures used in federal and state systems.
Understanding Who Runs the Facility
Before you plan a visit or send money, you need to know which authority is responsible for the facility where your loved one is held. Rules and processes can differ depending on the system in charge.
- Federal prisons are managed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), an agency of the U.S. Department of Justice.
- State prisons are operated by each state’s department of corrections and follow state-specific policies.
- Local jails (county or city) are usually run by sheriffs or local correctional agencies and often have different procedures from prisons.
Because of these differences, always check the official website or contact the facility directly to confirm current rules before you visit or send money.
Finding an Inmate and Confirming Eligibility
You generally must locate the person and confirm their status before you can visit or transfer funds.
- Use the federal inmate locator on the Bureau of Prisons website to search by name or register number for federal prisoners.
- For state facilities, many departments of corrections offer an online inmate search by name or ID number.
- For local jails, you may need to call the jail or search county sheriff websites.
Once you have confirmed the facility, record the person’s full legal name and identification or register number; you will typically need this information for both visits and money transfers.
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Step-by-Step: Getting Approved to Visit
Most prisons do not allow unapproved, unannounced visits. You usually must complete an approval process before seeing someone in custody.
1. Request or Download a Visitor Application
Many facilities require prospective visitors to fill out a written or online form that collects personal information. The form commonly asks for:
- Your full legal name and any previous names
- Date of birth and contact details
- Government-issued identification numbers (such as a driver’s license number)
- Your relationship to the incarcerated person
- Criminal history or current supervision status, if any
Federal prisons use standardized visiting forms that the incarcerated person must first sign and submit through their counselor or unit team for review.
2. Wait for Background Checks and Approval
Prisons almost always conduct a background check on potential visitors. Factors that may affect approval include:
- Recent criminal convictions or active warrants
- Current probation or parole supervision
- Outstanding protection orders or security concerns
If approved, your name is placed on the inmate’s official visitor list. If you are denied, you may receive a written explanation and, in some systems, a way to appeal the decision.
3. Confirm Visiting Hours and Rules
Visiting hours and schedules vary by facility and may change due to security needs, staffing levels, holidays, or emergencies. Before you travel:
- Check the facility’s official website for the latest visiting schedule.
- Verify whether you must book an appointment or if walk-in visits are allowed.
- Ask about special rules for non-contact visits, video visits, or attorney visits, if applicable.
Preparing for an In-Person Prison Visit
Security and safety are top priorities in all correctional facilities. Visitors must follow strict rules about identification, dress, and what they can bring inside.
Required Identification and Check-In
Most facilities require adult visitors to present a valid, government-issued photo ID, such as:
- State driver’s license or state ID card
- U.S. passport or passport card
- Military ID (where accepted)
At check-in, staff will typically:
- Verify your ID and compare it to the approved visitor list
- Ask you to sign a visitor log or consent form
- Explain any rules that apply to that day’s visit
Security Screening and Personal Property
Visitors are subject to security screening similar to airport-style inspections. Screening may include:
- Metal detectors or handheld wands
- Pat-down searches by same-gender staff, when required
- Inspection of shoes, jackets, and allowed personal items
Common items not allowed in visiting areas include:
- Cell phones, smart watches, and electronic devices
- Weapons, sharp objects, and tools
- Tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs, or drug paraphernalia
- Large bags, purses, or backpacks
Facilities typically provide lockers or secure storage where you can leave personal belongings during the visit.
Dress Code Guidelines
To reduce safety risks and prevent confusion with inmate uniforms, prisons often enforce dress codes, which may:
- Prohibit clothing that closely resembles inmate or staff uniforms
- Restrict revealing or transparent clothing
- Limit attire with offensive images or language
- Require closed-toe shoes and modest coverage
Visitors who do not meet the dress code may be turned away, even if they traveled a long distance, so it is wise to review the facility’s written policy beforehand.
Types of Prison Visits
Different types of visits may be available, depending on the security level of the facility and the inmate’s discipline record.
| Type of Visit | Physical Contact | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| Contact visit | Limited physical contact allowed (e.g., brief hug at start/end) | General population inmates with good conduct |
| Non-contact visit | No direct contact; separated by glass or barriers | Higher security cases or disciplinary restrictions |
| Video visit | Remote, using video technology | When travel is difficult or during health/emergency restrictions |
In federal facilities, in-person visits generally occur in a common visiting room under staff supervision, and rules for physical contact are clearly defined in written visiting guidelines.
General Conduct Rules During Visits
All visitors must follow facility rules from arrival until departure. Violations can result in visits ending early or future visits being suspended.
- Follow staff instructions immediately and respectfully.
- Stay only in designated visiting areas and do not wander into unauthorized spaces.
- Supervise children at all times; some facilities limit how many minors one adult may accompany.
- Keep physical contact within allowed limits and avoid passing items directly unless approved by staff.
- Do not take photos, record conversations, or use communication devices.
If you are unsure whether something is permitted, ask staff before acting. Repeated violations can cause the inmate to lose visiting privileges temporarily or, in serious cases, permanently.
How to Send Money to an Inmate
Most prisons allow family and friends to send money that is placed in the person’s commissary account (also called a trust account or inmate account). The incarcerated person can usually use these funds to buy approved goods, make phone calls, or access permitted electronic services.
Key Information You Will Need
Before sending money, gather the following details:
- Inmate’s full committed name (no nicknames)
- Inmate identification or register number
- Name of the correctional facility or system (federal, state, or local)
- Your own contact information and, for some methods, a valid ID
Sending money without accurate information may delay the deposit or cause it to be rejected and returned.
Common Methods for Sending Money
Facilities typically accept deposits through more than one channel. The primary methods for federal prisons are:
- Electronic transfers through approved providers
- Mailing money orders or government checks to a central lockbox
The Federal Bureau of Prisons, for example, accepts electronic deposits through programs such as MoneyGram’s ExpressPayment and Western Union’s Quick Collect, and it processes mailed negotiable instruments through a centralized financial office.
Electronic Transfers Through Approved Services
Many facilities contract with third-party services to receive deposits into inmate accounts. For federal prisons, the BOP describes how to send funds via MoneyGram and Western Union:
- MoneyGram ExpressPayment: Funds are generally processed 7 days a week and, when sent during posted hours, can be available in the inmate’s account within a few hours.
- Western Union Quick Collect: Similar processing schedule and timeframes, with deposits typically appearing within a few hours during designated hours.
Typical steps include:
- Visit the provider’s website, app, or an authorized agent location.
- Select the appropriate bill pay or corrections option.
- Enter the facility name or specific receive code (for federal prisons, a code such as 7932 may be used with MoneyGram).
- Provide the inmate’s full name and ID number.
- Choose your payment method (such as debit card, bank transfer, or cash at a retail agent).
Some commercial services used by state and local systems, such as JPay or Access Corrections, also allow online, phone, or in-person transfers, but fees and limits vary.
Sending Money by Mail
In federal prisons and many state systems, you may send certain types of negotiable instruments through the mail to a designated processing address. For example, the Federal Bureau of Prisons accepts:
- U.S. Postal Service money orders
- U.S. government checks
- Cashier’s checks, certified checks, or bank drafts meeting specific requirements
According to BOP guidance, cash and personal checks are not accepted and should not be mailed.
When using this method, you must usually:
- Print the inmate’s full committed name and register number on the money order or check and on the envelope.
- Mail it to the system’s lockbox or central processing address, not directly to the institution housing the inmate.
- Allow extra time for mail delivery and processing before the funds are available.
Limits, Fees, and Processing Times
Key points to keep in mind:
- Transfer limits: Some providers and systems cap the amount you can send per transaction or per day.
- Fees: Third-party services usually charge a transaction fee that can depend on the amount sent, the speed of service, and the payment method.
- Processing time: Electronic transfers to federal inmates sent during specified hours are often posted within 2–4 hours; those sent later are posted the following morning.
- Holds on certain instruments: Non-U.S. postal money orders or non-government checks can be placed on hold for 15 days or more, and some foreign items payable in U.S. dollars may be held for longer verification.
What Inmates Can Do with Money in Their Account
Funds deposited into an inmate’s account are subject to institutional rules and deductions. In many systems, the facility may automatically take a portion of deposits to pay for fines, restitution, or fees when applicable.
Within those rules, inmates may be allowed to spend their funds on:
- Commissary items such as approved foods, toiletries, and writing supplies
- Phone calls to approved numbers
- Email or messaging services where offered
- Media or education services available through contracted vendors
Each facility publishes a list of what can be purchased and how often, along with spending limits and deadlines for placing orders.
Protecting Yourself from Scams and Misuse
Money transfers to incarcerated people should always be made carefully. To protect yourself:
- Use only officially approved payment channels listed by the correctional system or facility.
- Never send money to individuals who pressure you, threaten you, or promise illegal favors in return.
- Keep receipts and confirmation numbers for every transaction to track payments.
- Report suspicious requests, such as demands to send funds to unrelated third parties, to facility staff.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can anyone visit a prisoner?
No. Most facilities require you to be approved in advance and placed on the inmate’s visitor list. Background checks and relationship verification are common parts of the approval process.
Q2: How long does it take for money to reach an inmate?
For federal inmates, electronic deposits sent through approved services during posted hours are often available within 2–4 hours, while funds sent after the daily cutoff are posted the following morning. Mailed money orders or checks take longer due to mail delivery and processing time.
Q3: Is it possible to send cash directly to a prison?
Directly mailing cash is strongly discouraged and usually prohibited. Federal prisons, for example, do not accept cash sent through the mail; only approved negotiable instruments are allowed for mailed deposits.
Q4: Can I send money to an inmate in another state?
Yes, but you must follow that state’s department of corrections rules or the federal Bureau of Prisons rules if the person is in federal custody. Many approved electronic services support payments to multiple state and federal facilities, but you must select the correct system and facility and use the correct inmate ID.
Q5: What happens if I make a mistake with the inmate’s information?
If the name, ID number, or facility information is wrong, your transfer may be delayed, rejected, or credited to the wrong account. Always double-check the information with the facility or the inmate before sending money and contact the service provider immediately if you discover an error.
References
- Community Ties – Inmate Communications — Federal Bureau of Prisons (U.S. Department of Justice). 2024-04-05. https://www.bop.gov/inmates/communications.jsp
- Sending Funds to Inmates Using MoneyGram — Federal Bureau of Prisons (U.S. Department of Justice). 2023-11-17. https://www.bop.gov/inmates/mobile_moneyInfo.jsp?method=mg
- How Do I Send Money to an Inmate at a Correctional Facility? — MoneyGram. 2023-08-10. https://www.moneygram.com/us/en/help-center/faq/services/federal-bureau-of-prisons/how-do-i-send-money-to-an-inmate-at-a-correctional-facility
- Send Money to an Inmate — Western Union. 2024-01-12. https://www.westernunion.com/us/en/send-money-to-inmate.html
- Sending Money to Federal Inmates — Federal Bureau of Prisons (summary information via MoneyGram/BOP). 2023-11-17. https://www.bop.gov/inmates/communications.jsp#sending_money
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