Where and How to Send Money to an Inmate (Memorial Unit): Do's and Don'ts

Before sending money to someone at Memorial Unit, confirm you're eligible. Since September 1, 2020, deposits are only accepted from people on the inmate's approved visitor list or Inmate Telephone List. Not on either list? Your deposit won't go through. Ask the inmate to add you before you try to send anything.

The Inmate Trust Fund only accepts certain payment types. Cash and personal checks will be returned. If you're sending a money order or cashier's check, you'll need to include a deposit slip - ask your loved one to send you one before you mail anything.

Accepted deposits aren't always available immediately. Single transactions of $500 or more get held for 14 days. The same goes for insurance, company, payroll, or estate checks and similar disbursements. If the money is needed for something time-sensitive, plan around that hold.

A common mistake: mailing deposits to the inmate's unit. Don't do this. Trust fund deposits need to follow the Inmate Trust Fund deposit instructions, not go to the facility of assignment.

Keep deposits and personal mail separate. Don't send personal mail or other items to the Inmate Trust Fund. And don't send personal mail to PO Box 60 - that goes to the inmate's unit of assignment.

Worried your deposit didn't arrive? Inmate Trust Fund staff can confirm whether they received it. They won't share account activity or balance details with anyone except the inmate, though.

Practical Checklist

• ✓ Confirm you’re on the inmate’s approved visitor list or the Inmate Telephone List before you try to deposit funds.
• ✓ Don’t send cash or a personal check; use a money order or cashier’s check with the required deposit slip from the inmate.
• ✓ Expect a 14-day hold if you send $500+ in a single transaction, or if the funds are from insurance/company/payroll/estate checks or similar disbursements.
• ✓ Don’t mail deposit payments to the inmate’s unit; follow the Inmate Trust Fund deposit instructions instead.