How to Send Money to Facility
Sending money is usually straightforward once you know where funds get processed and how to enter the inmate's information. Follow these rules so your deposit lands in the right account.
Review available deposit, commissary, money order, and online payment information for sending money to an inmate at CFRC-MAIN.
CFRC-MAIN holds inmate funds in a commissary-style trust account used for purchases and other account activity. You can typically add money through an online portal, a lobby kiosk, by phone, or by mail. The available methods, fees, and exact steps depend on the vendor, so check the current instructions before sending anything. If you mail a deposit, don't send it to the facility street address. Mailed funds must go to the central processing center in Des Moines. For MoneyGram, use the inmate's eight-digit register number immediately followed by the inmate's last name as the Account Number (example: 12345678DOE). Fill out deposit fields clearly and keep the inmate's full name and register number handy.
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Sending money is usually straightforward once you know where funds get processed and how to enter the inmate's information. Follow these rules so your deposit lands in the right account.
**Stop:** Do not send money using FCI Tallahassee’s facility mailing address. Mailed funds must be addressed to a processing center in Des Moines, Iowa.
You can add money through common deposit channels like an online portal, lobby kiosk, phone, or mail, depending on what the vendor offers. Deposits go into the inmate's commissary-style trust account. If you're mailing money, send it to the central processing center in Des Moines, not the facility address.
Yes. Mail-in money orders or cashier's checks are commonly accepted, as long as you follow the vendor's mailing instructions. Don't address mailed funds to CFRC-MAIN's street address. They must go to the central processing center in Des Moines. Write clearly and include valid contact information so the deposit can be processed or returned if needed.
For MoneyGram, enter the inmate's eight-digit register number immediately followed by the last name as the Account Number (example: 12345678DOE). Have the inmate's full name and register number ready, and follow any additional vendor instructions for the remaining fields.
Your first visit goes smoother when you handle the basics ahead of time. Make sure you're approved, dress to pass the dress code, and leave prohibited items at home — otherwise you might get turned away at the door.
Staying in touch is possible, but it helps to know the ground rules first. Here are the key phone policies to keep in mind, plus what to confirm with the facility so you don't run into surprises.
Visiting at CFRC‑MAIN starts before you ever walk through the front door. You'll need to be on the inmate's approved visiting list and cleared by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) first.