How to deposit funds, commissary, and payment options
MCF Willow River accepts money transfers through JPay, which handles money transfers and electronic messaging for incarcerated people and their families. To send funds, use JPay's deposit process and enter the incarcerated person's full name, MN DOC OID number, and MCF Willow River so the payment reaches the right account. Deposits typically post to the person's commissary account for purchases, phone or tablet credit, and debt payments. Looking for alternatives to online transfers? Accepted methods vary by facility, so check the facility's approved deposit options and follow the vendor's instructions.
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
Using JPay to stay in touch with someone at MCF Willow River? Stamps are your main expense. Here's how message stamps work, what extras like photos and VideoGrams cost, and what to do when something won't go through.
Setting up a first video visit can feel like a lot of moving parts. Handle eligibility first, then follow the JPay screens in order — scheduling a visit with someone at MCF Willow River is usually straightforward.
Use JPay to send money to someone at MCF Willow River. Follow JPay’s setup and deposit steps, and include the person’s full name, MN DOC OID number, and the facility so the payment posts correctly.
Don’t mail cash; use the facility’s approved deposit methods or an online vendor such as JPay. If you mail a payment, many facilities require a money order or certified bank/teller check rather than a personal check—follow the facility’s instructions.
MCF Willow River lists JPay as a vendor families can use to send money. Other deposit options vary by facility, so check the facility’s guidance for approved vendors and methods before you send funds.
Trying to reach someone at MCF Willow River? The key thing to understand is that phone contact works in reverse: your loved one calls you, not the other way around. Here's how calls work, what
If your loved one is at MCF Willow River, you'll need their Minnesota DOC Offender ID (OID) to stay in touch. This number comes up constantly—for sending mail, depositing money through JPay, and more. Find it once, save it somewhere accessible, and you're set.
If you don't want contact from someone incarcerated in a Minnesota correctional facility, you can request a No Contact Directive from the Minnesota DOC. This isn't a court order — it's a direct way to tell DOC you don't want to receive contact from that person.
