How to send money to an inmate in a California county jail or state prison. Services, limits, fees, and instructions for all 58 California jails.
Calls may be answered by a licensed bail bond agent.Sending money to a California county jail inmate funds their commissary account, which they can use to purchase food, hygiene items, phone minutes, and other approved items. Each county jail uses a different system. The most common providers are JPay, GTL, and Securus Technologies.
Most California jails accept online deposits through the facility's commissary vendor website or app. Create an account, find the inmate by name or ID, and add funds via credit or debit card.
Many jails accept money orders by mail. The money order must be made out to the inmate with their full legal name and booking number written on the front. Check the specific facility's instructions first.
Many county jails have lobby kiosks where family members can deposit funds in person using cash or card. Some vendors also accept phone deposits.
Online deposits typically post within 24-48 hours. Mail takes 3-5 business days plus processing. Kiosk deposits are usually same-day or next-day.
California county jails use a variety of third-party commissary service providers. Each has a different app, website, and fee structure. Here is what families should know about the most common providers.
One of the largest providers in California, GTL (now operating as ViaPath Technologies) handles deposits and phone services for many larger county jails. Deposits can be made through their website, app, or by calling their automated phone system. Common in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino counties.
JPay is used by many medium and smaller California county jails. Funds can be added through JPay.com, the JPay mobile app, MoneyGram locations, or select kiosk terminals. Processing times are typically 24 to 48 hours for online deposits.
Securus handles deposits for several California facilities and also provides the phone and video visitation system. Accounts are created at securustech.net or through the Securus Mobile app. Securus also operates lobby kiosk terminals at many facilities.
Used by some Northern California county jails. Deposits are made through their website or by calling their deposit line. Access Corrections also handles Western Union bill payment options for those who prefer to use that service.
Commissary funds are used to purchase approved items from the jail's internal store. Available items vary by facility but generally fall into these categories. Having funds on their account significantly improves quality of life while incarcerated.
Ramen noodles, chips, cookies, candy, and other approved food items supplement standard jail meals.
Soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and other personal care items beyond what the facility provides.
Phone calls from jail are expensive. Commissary funds cover calls home to family and to attorneys.
At facilities with video visitation, account funds pay for video sessions with family members who cannot visit in person.
Approved books, writing paper, envelopes, and postage for correspondence with family and legal counsel.
Some facilities charge nominal medical co-pays for sick calls. Commissary funds cover these fees to ensure inmates receive needed medical attention.
Each California county contracts with a specific vendor for commissary deposits. The process varies by provider. Here is what to expect from each major platform.
| Provider | Platform | Deposit Methods | Processing Time | Typical Counties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTL / ViaPath | connectnetwork.com | Online, app, phone, lobby kiosk | Same day to 24 hrs | LA, San Bernardino, Riverside, many others |
| Securus Technologies | securustech.net | Online, app, phone | 24 to 48 hrs | San Diego, Orange, several Central Valley |
| ICSolutions | icsolutions.com | Online, app, MoneyGram | 24 to 48 hrs | Sacramento, Fresno, several Northern CA |
| JPay (Envestnet) | jpay.com | Online, app, MoneyGram, kiosk | 1 to 3 business days | Alameda, Santa Clara, San Francisco |
| Access Securepak | accesscatalog.com | Online orders only (packages) | 3 to 7 business days | Varies, packages, not cash deposits |
ⓘ Providers change. Verify the current vendor for your county by visiting your county jail page or calling the facility directly.
Every California county jail sets its own rules on how much you can send, how often, and what fees apply. Here is what to expect before you deposit.
| Item | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Per-transaction limit | $25 to $300 |
| Weekly deposit cap | $100 to $500 |
| Maximum account balance | $100 to $500 |
| Online transaction fee | $0 to $5.95 |
| Processing time (online) | 24 to 48 hours |
Limits vary significantly by county and provider. Always check the specific facility rules before depositing.
California Assembly Bill 1261 requires county jails to ensure that fees charged by commissary vendors are reasonable. Several counties have used this law to renegotiate contracts with vendors, resulting in lower or eliminated fees on deposits. Some Bay Area counties now offer zero-fee deposits.
If your county charges fees that seem excessive, you can contact your county Board of Supervisors to advocate for lower-fee commissary contracts. Many families have successfully pushed for fee reductions in their counties.
California county jails maintain strict controls on how inmates receive funds, and violations of these policies can have serious consequences. Sending cash through the mail to a California jail is not only prohibited, it will likely be confiscated without notice and will not be returned. Checks and money orders sent directly to the jail are rejected by most California county facilities because they have transitioned entirely to electronic deposit systems through approved vendors.
Attempting to send funds through unauthorized channels, including giving cash to an inmate during a visit or smuggling any item with monetary value, is a criminal offense in California. It can result in criminal charges against both the visitor and potentially the inmate, loss of visitation privileges, and additional charges being added to the inmate's case.
Gift cards, prepaid debit cards, and cryptocurrency are not accepted by California county jail commissary systems. Always use the facility's officially designated deposit service. If you are unsure which service a particular California county jail uses, call the jail's main information line or check the county sheriff's website for deposit instructions.
Funds deposited into a California jail commissary account belong to the inmate and are not transferable to other inmates. When an inmate is released, any remaining commissary balance is typically returned to them in the form of a check or added to the property returned at release. Balances are not automatically transferred if an inmate is moved between facilities, so notify the new facility and re-deposit if needed.
Each county contracts with a different vendor. Call our free line or visit your county jail page on this site for links to the specific commissary system used. Major providers include JPay (Envestnet), GTL, Securus Technologies, and ViaPath.
Yes. Deposit limits vary by county. Most California jails allow between $100 and $300 per transaction. Some facilities set weekly or monthly caps on the total account balance. Check with the specific facility for current limits.
Transaction fees vary by provider and payment method. Online transfers typically charge $2.95 to $5.95 per transaction. Some counties have moved to lower-fee or no-fee systems under California AB-1261.
When an inmate is released, any remaining commissary balance is typically returned to them in the form of a check mailed to their address on file, or in some cases as cash at release. Processing can take several weeks. If the inmate is transferred to another facility, the account balance usually transfers with them automatically if the same vendor serves both facilities. If the receiving facility uses a different vendor, you may need to open a new account and re-deposit.
Yes, rejected deposits are typically refunded to your original payment method within 3 to 7 business days. Transaction fees may or may not be refunded depending on the vendor's policy. Contact the vendor's customer service immediately if a deposit shows as rejected. Common rejection reasons include: the inmate was released, the account is at the balance limit, the inmate's name or ID was entered incorrectly, or the account is frozen due to a disciplinary action.
Yes. Multiple people can deposit funds into the same inmate's commissary account. Each person creates their own account with the vendor and sends deposits independently. The inmate's account balance reflects all deposits from all sources combined, up to the facility's maximum balance limit.
Most facilities do not proactively notify inmates of incoming deposits. The inmate typically checks their balance through the jail's tablet system, commissary kiosk, or by asking a housing unit officer. Let the inmate know you have sent funds so they know to check their account after the processing period (typically 24 to 48 hours).
Call our free line and get connected with a licensed California bail specialist who can assist you 24 hours a day.