How Long Does It Take for Commissary Money to Show Up in Iowa Prisons?

Deposit timing in Iowa prisons varies by vendor and payment method. Access Corrections is one of the fastest options - funds transfer in real time and typically show up within 24 hours. JPay has a clear cutoff: deposits made before 11:45 AM are generally available the next day. Western Union and Send2Corrections are also accepted by the Iowa DOC, but neither lists a specific posting window. If you go with those, confirm the expected timing when you make the deposit.

Fees and accepted payment types vary too. Access Corrections accepts Visa and MasterCard-branded credit or debit cards online, with fees starting at $3.49. JPay also takes Visa or MasterCard debit and credit cards, with fees ranging from $3.95 to $10.95 depending on the amount.

Need money to land fast? Access Corrections is built for speed. According to the Iowa DOC, funds transfer in real time and are available to the inmate within 24 hours. You'll get a digital receipt at the email address you entered - save it in case you need to track down a delay later.

• ✓ Access Corrections online and phone deposit services are available 24 hours a day, every day.
• ✓ Online deposits accept Visa and MasterCard-branded credit or debit cards, with fees starting at $3.49.

With JPay, timing comes down to when you hit submit. Deposits made before 11:45 AM are generally available the next day. Miss that cutoff and you're looking at a longer wait - so plan accordingly if the money is time-sensitive.

Western Union and Send2Corrections are also accepted, but the Iowa DOC doesn't publish specific posting times for either. For Western Union, you can pay by cash or debit card - you'll need the recipient's commissary number and the facility name. Send2Corrections lets you pay online with a credit or debit card, or start the transaction online (or in the app), get a tracking number (MTCN), and pay later in cash at a Western Union agent location. Since timing isn't spelled out like it is for Access Corrections or JPay, ask about expected delivery when you place the deposit.

1. Save your proof of payment - keep any printed receipt, and don’t delete confirmation emails; Access Corrections sends a digital receipt to the email you provide.
2. Write down the exact time you sent it - for JPay, whether you sent the money before or after 11:45 AM affects whether it’s generally available the next day.

1. Contact the vendor you used first - ask them to confirm the transaction status (Western Union or Send2Corrections, if that’s the route you took) and verify the details you entered.
2. If the vendor shows it as sent but it still isn’t credited, contact the facility’s Business Office - have your receipt or tracking number ready so staff can help locate the deposit.