How to Send Money to Someone at Dakota County Jail (MN)

The fastest option is usually an online deposit through the Inmate Canteen website (the county describes this as a credit card deposit). You can also use a lobby kiosk at the Dakota County Law Enforcement Center in Hastings. According to the county, the kiosk automatically credits the inmate's account. For mail, the county's Mail & Money page says you can send a money order made out to the inmate to the jail's mailing address. That same page warns the jail is not responsible for money mailed to inmates, so proceed carefully before sending anything this way.

Online deposits go through the Inmate Canteen website. Dakota County's jail information says you can deposit money into an inmate's account online and follow the instructions on the Inmate Canteen site as you go through the process.

There's also an in-person deposit kiosk in the lobby of the Dakota County Law Enforcement Center at 1580 Highway 55, Hastings. The lobby is listed as open 24 hours a day, which is helpful if you can't make it during normal business hours.

Payment methods are where you need to slow down and double-check. The county's page on in-person deposits says the lobby kiosk takes cash or credit cards and will automatically credit the inmate's account. But a separate facility handbook says the facility accepts only cash for commissary deposits. These two sources don't fully agree.

If you're sending anything by postal mail, use the jail's mailing format exactly as listed: (Inmate Name) Dakota County Law Enforcement Center P.O. Box 247J Hastings, MN 55033.

The county's Mail & Money page says money orders made out to the inmate can be mailed to the facility at that address. That same page also states the jail is not responsible for money mailed to inmates. Treat mailed funds as higher-risk than an online or kiosk deposit, and hold on to any receipt stubs or tracking information.

1. Save your proof of payment. Keep the confirmation details from your Inmate Canteen deposit so you can reference the date, amount, and account details.
2. Call the account vendor for help. For problems with deposits or inmate accounts, Dakota County directs families to contact TurnKey Corrections at 715-690-2965.

Inmates are not permitted to keep cash. All money goes into the inmate's commissary account. If you choose to mail money, remember that the county's Mail & Money page states the jail is not responsible for money mailed to inmates.

Two common points can trip people up. First, the county's Mail & Money page says money orders made out to the inmate can be mailed, but a separate visitation document states checks and money orders will not be accepted for inmate funds. Second, the county's page says the lobby kiosk accepts cash or credit cards, while the inmate handbook says the facility accepts only cash for commissary deposits. Because these sources don't fully match, I'd recommend verifying before you send any funds.

• ✓ Confirm whether money orders are currently accepted before you mail one.
• ✓ If you plan to use the lobby kiosk, confirm what forms of payment it accepts (cash only vs. cash and credit cards).
• ✓ For deposit or account questions tied to the canteen system, contact TurnKey Corrections at 715-690-2965.