Why Half a Deposit May Go to Jail Debt — Crittenden County Jail Policy Explained

If an inmate at Crittenden County Jail has an outstanding debt to the facility, the jail can take up to half of any deposit you make and apply it toward that balance.

So what does "up to half" actually mean? When you put money on an inmate's account, the jail can take as much as 50% and apply it to any debt owed to the facility. Only the remaining amount shows up in the inmate's account. This explains why a deposit might not appear as the full amount you sent. If there's an outstanding balance, the jail pays it down automatically from incoming funds.

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• ✓ Deposit at the CCDC lobby kiosk using cash or a credit/debit card
• ✓ Deposit by phone: 1-866-394-0490
• ✓ Deposit online through MyCarePack
• ✓ Have the inmate’s booking number ready (it’s required)

Trying to work around the debt-deduction rule by depositing money into another inmate's account? That can backfire badly. Crittenden County Jail's policy allows serious discipline: all involved accounts may be frozen for up to 30 days, or the inmate may serve 45 days in disciplinary segregation housing. The "just send it to someone else inside" approach isn't worth the risk - both financially and for the inmate's day-to-day conditions.

1. Ask about outstanding debt before sending a large deposit - If the inmate owes the jail, up to half of what you send may be applied to that debt, so it helps to know what to expect.
2. Keep your deposit confirmation/receipt - Whether you deposit at the lobby kiosk, by phone, or online, save your proof of payment in case you need to track what was sent.
3. Use smaller or staggered deposits if you’re trying to budget - Since up to 50% can be taken for debt, spreading deposits out can make the deductions feel less disruptive to your weekly plan.