How to deposit funds, commissary, and payment options
Lake Erie Correctional Facility has an on-site commissary. Money you send goes into the inmate's account (not handed directly to the person) and is commonly used for commissary purchases, phone time, hygiene items, or to cover fees and obligations. Most deposits are made through approved third-party options: online portals, phone deposits, mobile apps, lobby kiosks, or select retail locations. You'll need the inmate's full name and ID number to complete the transaction. Before sending anything, confirm the facility's authorized deposit methods to avoid scams. Expect convenience or processing fees charged by the vendor.
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Use the facility's approved third-party deposit options: online portal, phone deposit, mobile app, lobby kiosk, or select retail locations. You'll need the inmate's full name and ID number. Confirm which channels the facility accepts before sending funds.
No. Never hand cash directly to staff or a visitor officer. Use the facility's authorized deposit methods instead, and confirm the approved vendors so you don't get routed to unofficial sites or scams.
Deposited funds typically go toward commissary purchases, phone time, hygiene items, and facility-related fees. Since Lake Erie Correctional Facility has a commissary, that's where most funds get spent.
Visit limits at Lake Erie Correctional depend on where your loved one is housed. Here's how often they can receive visits, how many people can come at once, and what to double-check before you make the trip.
Trying to make sense of safety concerns, wait times, or daily operations? It helps to know how big the facility is and how many staff are on hand. The numbers below come from an onsite PREA audit conducted August 27–30, 2018, so consider them a snapshot in time.
Staffing numbers offer a starting point for understanding supervision and safety at Lake Erie Correctional—but they're only a snapshot. Here are the key counts from a PREA audit, plus how to use them when asking the right questions about your loved one's situation.
