Penmate Inmate Support Guides
Phone & Messaging

3 Ways to Send Money to Someone in Louisiana DOC (JPAY, lobby kiosks, SecurePak) — and why you should never use Cash App

• 2 min read • doc.louisiana.gov
3 Ways to Send Money to Someone in Louisiana DOC (JPAY, lobby kiosks, SecurePak) — and why you should never use Cash App

If you’re trying to help someone in Louisiana DOC with commissary or basic needs, start with the ground rule: you can’t hand money directly to an incarcerated person during a visit. Louisiana state correctional facilities use JPAY for money deposits, which gives you an approved way to get funds into the person’s account without risking the deposit being rejected (or getting you into trouble). From there, you’ve got a couple of other DOC-authorized options depending on whether you want to add spending money or send items.

If what you really want is to make sure they receive specific necessities (instead of cash they have to spend), Louisiana DOC also offers a Canteen Package Program called SecurePak (by Keefe Group). It’s designed for family and friends to order pre-approved food, hygiene products, and personal items for people incarcerated in state institutions.

JPAY is the main, statewide-approved service Louisiana uses for depositing money to someone’s account in prison. In practical terms, it’s the system DOC points families to when you need to add funds for commissary and other account-based purchases. If you’re deciding between options, think of JPAY as the default electronic route, while lobby kiosks are the on-site route, and SecurePak is the “send items, not cash” route.

3 Ways to Send Money to Someone in Louisiana DOC (JPAY, lobby kiosks, SecurePak) — and why you should never use Cash App

If you’re going to the facility in person, lobby kiosks are another approved way to deposit money. Louisiana DOC places kiosks in state correctional facility visiting areas, and they’re set up so family and friends can add funds using either a credit/debit card or cash. This can be a good option when you’re already there for a visit and want to make a deposit on-site instead of handling it remotely.

  • ✓ Cash deposits at lobby kiosks have a $4.00 per-transaction fee for deposits from $0.01 to $500.00
  • ✓ Credit/debit card deposits at the kiosks also have fees (DOC notes they apply to card transactions)
  • ✓ Expect a 2-day turnaround for funds to be placed into the incarcerated person’s account

Heads-up on large deposits: Anything totaling $500 or more triggers an investigation, which can delay when the money becomes available.

Never use Cash App: Louisiana DOC explicitly warns that it’s illegal to use Cash App to send money to inmates, and there’s no legitimate reason for an incarcerated person to ask you to put money onto a Cash App account for purchases while they’re incarcerated.

Find an Inmate at Napoleonville Detention Center, LA

Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.

Exact spelling helps find results faster

Free to search · Used by families nationwide
Woman using phone to connect with loved one

More from Napoleonville Detention Center, LA

Before your first visit to a Louisiana DOC facility: what to bring and what to leave behind

Your first visit can feel overwhelming, but the rules are actually pretty simple. This guide covers exactly what ID to bring, what you can keep with you, and what to leave at home so you don't get turned away at the door.

Before Your First Visit to Napoleonville Detention Center: a Louisiana DOC checklist of what to bring and what to leave behind

First-time visits can feel overwhelming. This checklist covers the Louisiana DOC rules that most often get people turned away - so you can show up ready.

Bringing a Baby to Visit? What Louisiana DOC facilities allow (diapers, bottles, blankets)

If you’re bringing an infant to a Louisiana DOC visit, the allowed baby items are limited and counted. You can bring up to four diapers, plus one clear plastic bag of baby wipes. For feeding, you’re allowed two jars of vacuum-sealed baby food and two plastic bottles of milk or juice. You can also bring one change of clothing for the baby. A baby blanket is allowed too, but there’s a size limit: maximum width and length can’t exceed 48 inches. Keeping your baby items within these exact limits helps you avoid delays at check-in.