How to Send Money to Facility
Sending money gets confusing fast when you're trying to match what the facility charges against what the state says it can bill. Here are the only confirmed policy details we have, plus what you should verify before you pay.
West Virginia's updated cost-per-day-per-inmate policy for jails took effect July 1, 2023. If you're being asked to pay incarceration costs, or you're trying to figure out why a balance looks off, that date matters. It tells you which policy framework should apply to the charges.
The state also sets a discounted per-diem rate of $43.58, which is 80% of the prior fiscal year's per diem. That rate covers the first 80% of a county's pro-rata inmate days. Beyond that threshold, a higher rate kicks in.
Note: We don't have details on this facility's actual payment methods (online vendor, kiosk, money order rules), fees, processing times, or cutoff times. Confirm those directly with the facility before sending any funds.
Steps to Follow
- ✓ When you ask about balances or daily charges, confirm the facility is using the policy that became effective July 1, 2023.
- ✓ If you are reviewing a pro-rata calculation, ask whether the $43.58 discounted per-diem rate is being applied to the first 80% of the county’s pro-rata inmate days.
- ✓ If the amount you are told to pay does not match your understanding, request a clear breakdown of how the per-diem rate and the pro-rata day thresholds were applied.
The updated policy took effect July 1, 2023, but you should still confirm it's the current standard being used for whatever charges you're dealing with. If anything has changed since then, ask what changed and which dates the new rules apply to.
If someone mentions a "discounted rate," pin down the details: the discounted per-diem is $43.58, it represents 80% of last fiscal year's per diem, and it applies to the first 80% of a county's pro-rata inmate days. If the facility applies those thresholds differently in practice, ask them to walk you through exactly how they calculate the pro-rata share in your situation.
- ✓ What payment types are accepted (online, phone, kiosk, cashier’s check, money order), and what is not accepted
- ✓ Any fees or surcharges added to deposits, and who charges them
- ✓ Processing timelines and cutoff times (including weekends and holidays)
- ✓ What information must be on the payment (full name, ID number, housing location)
- ✓ Who to contact at the facility if a payment is delayed, rejected, or posted to the wrong person
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