What Happens to Your Money When You Put It on an Inmate's Account at Butte Detention Center

Deposits at Butte Detention Center follow a set order. The booking fee gets paid first. Then medical copay fees come out. Whatever remains after those required charges is what the inmate can actually spend on commissary.

The booking fee at Butte-Silver Bow Detention Center is a flat $25, charged to all arrestees. This is why it's the first thing that gets deducted when money hits the account.

After the booking fee and medical copay fees are paid, the remaining balance goes toward commissary. That's where inmates can buy extras like candy, snacks, and beverages - so the timing of those deductions determines when they can actually shop.

Sending money specifically for commissary? The facility accepts cash or cashier's checks mailed directly to the detention center. Once received and applied to the account, it still goes through the same process - required fees first, then commissary funds.

If you need the exact balance or a breakdown of what was deducted, your best move is to contact the detention center directly and ask about the inmate’s account activity. That’s also the fastest way to confirm how much is currently available for commissary after booking and medical copay fees are covered.

1. Call the detention center - ask who handles inmate account questions.
2. Request the current balance and recent transactions - this helps you see what was taken out and what’s left for commissary.
3. Confirm how to send money - verify whether cash or a cashier’s check is accepted and any handling rules before you mail anything.