Do inmates need money in jail? Yes, they do. Just like anyone else that is not incarcerated, they need money to keep them going. Different jails have different rules about the amount of money one can send an inmate and how often one should send it. 

Before sending inmates money, you should…

•  Find out the rules on sending inmates funds

Different correctional facilities have various restrictions. Before sending money, you should call and find out what are the fund limits one can send. Having all the information about the rules will put in you in a better position to decide how much money you will be sending. 

• Find out who is allowed to send money

Limiting the persons that are allowed to send inmate money is one of the strategies that correctional facilities use to prevent inmates from getting money from questionable sources. Most of the time, only the people on the visitors’ list are allowed to send money. 

•  Information required

If you send cash blindly, chances are it may never reach the source. For that reason, you should have all the information needed for sending funds. This will mostly include your address, booking number of the inmate or the prison-identification, the sender’s name, and the telephone number.

There are many channels that you can use to send inmates funds. You can send through mail, phone, the internet, or walk-in. In most of these options, either credit cards or debit cards are used to deposit funds into the inmate’s accounts. Also,  money transfer attracts a fee, which also varies depending on the amount you are sending and the mode of transfer.

What do the inmates use the funds for?

You must be wondering why inmates need money in jail. In most of the cases, they need it for use in the correctional facility’s commissary.

Here are some of the things they are allowed to buy…

• Stationary

This includes pens, paper, stamps, and envelopes, to mention a few. The offender may need to send mails to his or her family. Since they are not allowed to go in with these items, they are made available at the commissary for anyone who needs them. Also, different prisons run different programs that may require the use of these. 

• Hygiene items

This could be lotions, soaps, wipes, and any other hygiene items. The supply of these items will depend on the restrictions of the specific prison. The inmate will need a supply of these items. Sending them money will go a long way in helping them get the means to acquire them.

• Snacks and foods

The prison diner may not be able to provide the snacks inmates need. With the money, they can get biscuits, crisps, and other foods to keep their taste buds jolly.

Understand the restrictions of a correctional facility regarding sending inmates money. This will ensure that you do not break any laws, and the funds reach the inmates with no complications.