How to Send Money to Facility

Sending money should be simple, but the rules vary from jail to jail and can change without notice. I don't have facility-specific instructions for Bolivar County Jail right now (accepted payment types, payee details, limits, fees, or account format). Rather than guess and risk your money getting rejected or delayed, use the verification steps below to get current instructions directly from the jail.

1. Call the jail and ask for the money deposit instructions: Request the current approved ways to send funds and any limits or fees.
2. Ask what information must be included with the payment: Get the exact name format to use for the incarcerated person and which ID numbers are required.
3. Confirm where different types of payments go: If they accept more than one method, verify whether each method has a different address, form, or processing office.
4. Write down who you spoke with and the date: If something goes wrong, having a name (or at least a role/department) and a timestamp helps you follow up.
5. Verify before every future deposit: Policies and vendors can change, so do a quick confirmation if it has been a while since your last payment.

• ✓ What payment methods are currently accepted for adding money (and which are not)
• ✓ Whether you can deposit money in person, and if so, the days and hours it is allowed
• ✓ Exact payee name to use (facility name, incarcerated person name format, any required “care of” wording)
• ✓ Required identifiers (booking number, inmate ID, date of birth) and where each one must be written
• ✓ Minimum and maximum deposit amounts (per transaction and per day/week)
• ✓ Fees charged (by the jail or by any payment processor) and who pays them
• ✓ How long deposits typically take to post to the person’s account
• ✓ Whether funds go to commissary only or can also be used for other purposes (if the jail separates accounts)
• ✓ Refund/return policy if a payment is rejected, and how long returns usually take
• ✓ Any restrictions on who is allowed to send money

Keep a simple record for every deposit: date, amount, method, and any confirmation or receipt number. If you get instructions over the phone, write down the department you spoke with and the exact wording they gave you for the payee name and required ID details. Takes two minutes. Could save you hours if the money doesn't post or a payment gets returned.