Sending Money to an Iowa Inmate: Step-by-Step Checklist for First-Timers

Before You Start

• ✓ Offender’s full name
• ✓ Offender number (sometimes referred to as the commissary/inmate number)
• ✓ Your full name
• ✓ Your complete return address

Mailing money? It doesn't go to the prison itself. All mailed deposits for offender commissary/spending accounts go to: IDOC Offender Fiduciary Account, 1550 L Street, Suite B, Fort Dodge, IA 50501.

Iowa accepts electronic deposits through Access Corrections, JPay, or Western Union. Which one's best depends on what matters most to you: lowest fees, fastest turnaround, or the ability to pay in cash.

• ✓ Access Corrections (online) - fees start at $3.49; pay with Visa or MasterCard-branded credit or debit cards.
• ✓ Access Corrections (phone) - call 1(866)345-1884; fees as low as $4.49.
• ✓ JPay (online) - pay with a Visa or MasterCard-branded debit or credit card; fees range from $3.95 to $10.95 depending on deposit amount.
• ✓ JPay (phone) - call 1-800-574-5729; fees range from $4.95 to $11.95 depending on deposit amount.
• ✓ Western Union - pay with cash or debit card; you’ll need the recipient’s commissary number and the name of the correctional facility.
• ✓ Send2Corrections (mobile app) - use the Send2Corrections app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store; a credit/debit card is required.
• ✓ Send2Corrections (online / pay later in-store) - you can set up a transaction online or in-app and pay later in-store using a Western Union-generated tracking number (MTCN).

Mailed deposits require a cashier's check or money order. Make it payable to

• ✓ Offender name
• ✓ Offender number
• ✓ Sender’s name
• ✓ Sender’s complete address
• ✓ Write legibly; if the deposit doesn’t follow the guidelines, it will be returned to you by mail.

1. Choose online or phone - Access Corrections lets you deposit online or by phone.
2. Pay with the right card - online deposits accept Visa and MasterCard-branded credit or debit cards; fees start at $3.49. Phone deposits can be made at 1(866)345-1884, with fees as low as $4.49.
3. Send anytime - online and phone deposit services are available 24 hours a day, every day.
4. Save your receipt and watch timing - funds are typically transferred in real-time and available within 24 hours, and a digital receipt is emailed to the address you provide.

1. Pick online or phone - JPay deposits can be made online or over the phone.
2. Pay by card and expect a fee - online payments use a Visa or MasterCard-branded debit or credit card, with fees ranging from $3.95 to $10.95 depending on the amount. Phone deposits are available at 1-800-574-5729, with fees ranging from $4.95 to $11.95.
3. Time it if you need it faster - money sent before 11:45 AM is generally available to the offender the next day.

Walkin Agent

• ✓ Access Corrections walk-in cash options - some cash transactions have a $900.00 maximum limit per transaction.
• ✓ Western Union - pay with cash or debit card; you’ll need the recipient’s commissary number and the name of the correctional facility.
• ✓ Send2Corrections mobile app - requires a credit/debit card.
• ✓ Send2Corrections pay-later option - set up the transaction online or in-app, then pay later in-store using the Western Union tracking number (MTCN) that’s generated.

Using Western Union (including Send2Corrections)? You'll need the "commissary number" - the unique ID tied to the person receiving the money. Depending on the facility, this might be their commissary number or the inmate number assigned when they arrived. Have that number ready, along with the facility name, before you start.

After Send

• ✓ Keep your Access Corrections confirmation - a digital receipt is emailed to the address you provide during the deposit transaction.
• ✓ Plan around timing - Access Corrections funds are typically transferred in real-time and available within 24 hours.
• ✓ If you used JPay, note the cutoff - money sent before 11:45 AM is generally available to the offender the next day.

Deposit not showing up? Start by double-checking what you entered - especially the offender number or commissary number. For mailed payments, review the payee line and required fields. If a cashier's check or money order doesn't follow the guidelines, it'll be returned to you by mail.