How to Send Money to Someone at Julia Tutwiler Prison (AL): Methods, Fees, Timelines, and a Mail Checklist
Sending money to someone at Julia Tutwiler Prison comes down to speed versus convenience. Alabama DOC uses Access Corrections for all deposits—online, phone, walk-in cash, and mailed money orders—each with different fees and timelines.
There are four ADOC-approved ways to deposit money for someone at Julia Tutwiler Prison: online, by phone, walk-in cash at participating retailers, or mailing a money order with the required Alabama DOC deposit form to Access Corrections. Which method works best depends on your priorities. Need speed? Go online, phone, or walk-in. Prefer a paper trail? Mail a money order. Fees vary by method and deposit amount, so pick your approach first, then check the fee for your specific dollar range.
Timing matters: Online, phone, and walk-in cash deposits post faster than mailed money orders. Mailed deposits can take up to one week to process.
- Set up Access Secure Deposits - Create an account at accesscorrections.com, or deposit by phone by calling (866) 345-1884.
- Follow the deposit prompts - Once you’re signed in (or connected by phone), choose Alabama DOC and complete the deposit flow for your person at Tutwiler.
- Save your confirmation - Keep the confirmation details from the end of the transaction so you can track it later if needed.
Access Secure Deposits charges transaction fees based on two factors: how you send the money (internet vs. phone) and the amount. After submitting a deposit, save your receipt or transaction record through the vendor's system. That's your proof if you ever need to verify posting times or confirm the amount that actually hit the account after fees.
Prefer paying cash? Alabama DOC allows walk-in deposits at vendor-supported retail locations. This works well if you don't want to use a card online or over the phone. Walk-in deposits have their own fee schedule, and the fee still depends on how much you're sending.
Speed and fees: Walk-in deposits typically post faster than mailed money orders. You'll pay a fee based on your deposit amount.
Mail Money Order
- ✓ Include a completed Alabama DOC Money Order Deposit Form (deposit coupon) with the money order
- ✓ Make the money order/check payable to Access Corrections (as instructed on the form)
- ✓ Mail the form and money order/check together (this is required to process the deposit)
- ✓ Do not include cash, letters, stamps, photos, or notes in the envelope
To send money by mail, complete the deposit form and mail it with your money order or check to: Access Corrections – Alabama DOC, P.O. Box 12486, St. Louis, MO 63132. Build in extra time - mailed deposits can take up to one week to process before funds appear on the account.
Limits and return fees: The daily deposit amount by money order cannot exceed $900. If a money order/check is returned, a $25 handling fee will be assessed.
Fees aren't one-size-fits-all. Access Secure Deposits charges different transaction fees depending on the method (Internet, Phone, Walk-In, or Money Order) and the deposit amount. If keeping costs down matters, compare fees for your specific amount across methods before you submit.
For speed, online and phone deposits are usually fastest. Walk-in cash deposits also tend to process quicker than mail. A mailed money order is the slow lane - Alabama DOC notes it can take up to one week. Use mail when you can wait and want a paper-based payment method.
Mailing Checklist
- ✓ Forgetting to include the Alabama DOC Money Order Deposit Form/deposit coupon with the money order
- ✓ Putting anything extra in the envelope (cash, letters, stamps, photos, or notes)
- ✓ Sending more than the $900 daily limit for money order deposits
- ✓ Sending a money order/check that ends up being returned (returned items trigger a $25 handling fee)
- ✓ Assuming mail will post quickly (mailed deposits can take up to one week to process)
Tip: Follow the deposit form instructions exactly and keep your money order receipt. If a deposit is returned and you’re assessed the $25 handling fee, your receipt and paperwork are what you’ll refer back to.
If your person at Tutwiler needs funds fast, use online, phone, or walk-in - those methods post quicker. Mailing a money order? Build in time. Alabama DOC says mailed deposits can take up to a week. I'd treat mail as a plan-ahead option, not an emergency solution.
- ✓ Save your Access Corrections confirmation/receipt for online or phone deposits
- ✓ Keep any walk-in cash deposit receipt from the retail location
- ✓ Write down the recipient’s Alabama DOC ID (Recipient ID) exactly as it appears on the deposit form
- ✓ Keep the money order receipt stub and a copy/photo of the completed deposit form before you mail it
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