Sending Money

Why Is a Money Deposit on Hold? Processing Times for Lawrence Corrections Alternative Center

Sent a check or money order that's still showing as "on hold"? Two separate waits are usually at play: the facility's processing window and a hold period before the money actually credits. Here's how timing works at Lawrence Corrections Alternative Center.

3 min read mass.gov
Why Is a Money Deposit on Hold? Processing Times for Lawrence Corrections Alternative Center

Checks and money orders sent to Lawrence Corrections Alternative Center are processed within 48 hours of receipt. The catch? Weekends and holidays don't count. A deposit received Friday afternoon won't start that 48-hour clock until Monday - so it can feel like it's sitting there even when everything's on track.

Before you send anything, grab the Money Order/Check deposit form. You can pick one up in the facility lobby or print it from Access Corrections online. Using the right form keeps your deposit moving instead of getting flagged for missing paperwork.

Two situations trigger a 7-business-day hold: money orders over $200 and all personal checks. If your deposit falls into either category, expect it to show as held before it clears - even if you filled out everything correctly.

Here's where people get tripped up: after a check is processed, the funds are held for 10 days before being sent to the DOC for crediting. This is separate from that initial 48-hour processing step. It's why a deposit can appear to move through the system and still not be spendable.

Once funds reach the DOC and get credited, they're available the next day. So when you're estimating when your loved one can actually use the money, focus on when it's credited to the account - not when you dropped it off or mailed it.

Why Is a Money Deposit on Hold? Processing Times for Lawrence Corrections Alternative Center
  1. The money order is received - the facility processes checks and money orders within 48 hours of receipt, excluding weekends and holidays.
  2. No 7-business-day hold is triggered - because the money order is under $200, it doesn’t fall under the “money orders over $200” 7-business-day hold rule.
  3. Funds post after processing (no check hold) - the 10-day hold described by the DOC applies to check funds after processing, so a money order under $200 isn’t delayed by that specific check hold.
  1. The deposit starts on a 7-business-day hold - all personal checks deposited at the facility are placed on a 7-business-day hold.
  2. The check is processed - checks are processed within 48 hours of receipt, except on weekends and holidays.
  3. A 10-day hold follows processing - after the transaction is processed, check funds are held for 10 days before being sent to the DOC.
  4. Funds become usable after DOC crediting - once sent and credited, the funds are available to the inmate the next day.
  1. Your check or money order is received - once it’s received, it’s processed within 48 hours, excluding weekends and holidays.
  2. Check funds wait after processing - if the deposit is a check, the funds are held for 10 days after processing before being sent to the DOC.
  3. Availability is next-day after crediting - after the funds are sent and credited, they’re available to the inmate the next day.

Tip: Use the official Money Order/Check deposit form (available in facility lobbies or printable from Access Corrections) to avoid delays. And remember - the 48-hour processing window excludes weekends and holidays.

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