How to Send Money to an Inmate at Lewis and Clark County Detention Center

Lewis and Clark County Detention Center offers three ways to put money on an inmate's account. If you can visit in person, the lobby kiosk takes both cash and credit cards. Cash deposited there goes straight to the inmate's commissary account. From a distance, you have two options. You can mail a cashier's check, bank check, or money order (as long as it follows the facility's formatting rules). Or you can deposit funds online through NCIC. Online deposits are convenient, but keep in mind: funds added through NCIC aren't available immediately, and fees apply.

1. Buy the right form of payment - Use a cashier’s or bank check, or a money order (personal checks are not accepted).
2. Make it payable to LCSO - The payee line must read “LCSO.”
3. Write the inmate’s name on the memo line - Print the inmate’s first and last name legibly on the bottom of the check or money order, on the “memo” line.
4. Use a mail-ready envelope with a return address - Make sure your complete name and return address appear on the front of the envelope so it can be processed and returned if needed.

• ✓ Mail it to: LCSO, c/o Kaleb Metzger, 406 Fuller Ave., Helena, MT 59601
• ✓ Include the inmate’s first and last name on the memo line
• ✓ Include your complete name and return address on the front of the envelope
• ✓ Send only the cashier’s or bank check, or money order (do not include personal mail in the same envelope)

The detention center does not accept personal checks. Only payroll and government checks can be mailed in. If you can't send one of those check types, use a money order, the lobby kiosk (cash or credit card), or an NCIC online deposit instead. Not sure how your payment will be categorized? Call the detention center before mailing anything so it doesn't get rejected or delayed.

The lobby kiosk at the detention center accepts both cash and credit card deposits. Cash deposited at the kiosk goes directly to the inmate's commissary account.

You can add money online through NCIC. Two things to know upfront: fees apply, and funds won't be available to the inmate immediately. To get started, create and fund an account through NCIC's online portal, or set one up by phone at 1-800-943-2189. NCIC is also the provider behind prepaid calling, video visits, and messaging at this facility.

Common Mistakes Troubleshooting

• ✓ Writing the payment out to the wrong payee: cashier’s or bank checks and money orders must be made out to “LCSO.”
• ✓ Leaving off the inmate’s name: the inmate’s first and last name must be printed legibly on the memo line.
• ✓ Sending a personal check: the detention center will not accept personal checks.
• ✓ Expecting instant availability from an online deposit: NCIC deposits cannot be accessed immediately, and fees apply.
• ✓ If an NCIC deposit is missing or delayed, contact NCIC support (1-800-943-2189). If a mailed payment or kiosk deposit is not showing up, contact the detention center for help tracing how it was applied.