How to Send Money to an Inmate at Elkhart County Jail (Avoid Unnecessary Fees)

Elkhart County Jail offers two ways to add money to an inmate's account: the ATM in the jail lobby or online through JailATM. Which one makes sense depends on convenience and how the fees stack up for the amount you're sending.

The jail lobby has an ATM-style machine that lets you deposit funds directly to an inmate’s account. Each time you use it, there’s a $3.75 convenience fee per transaction, so the total cost depends on how you structure your deposit.

Here's what catches people off guard: the lobby ATM charges the $3.75 fee for every $100 deposited. There's no overall deposit limit, but larger amounts processed in multiple $100 increments add up fast.

Prefer to handle it online? JailATM lets you deposit money using a credit or debit card. You'll need to create an account with your email address - this lets you log back in and add funds later.

Elkhart County Jail no longer accepts money orders for inmate accounts. Stick with the lobby ATM or JailATM to avoid delays and returned payments.

Practical Tips Avoid Fees

• ✓ If you’re using the lobby ATM, plan your deposit carefully - there’s a $3.75 convenience fee, and it’s imposed for every $100 deposited.
• ✓ Try to avoid making multiple small ATM deposits back-to-back; repeated transactions can mean repeated fees.
• ✓ Consider using JailATM for online deposits with a credit/debit card (you’ll create an account using your email address), especially if it helps you reduce the total fees you pay.
• ✓ Always confirm the fees shown in JailATM before you finalize the payment, so the total doesn’t surprise you.

The easiest way to avoid wasting money? Use the methods the jail actually supports and check fees before you send anything. That means the lobby ATM (keep those per-$100 fees in mind) or JailATM online with a credit or debit card. Skip money orders - they're no longer accepted.