How to Send Money to Broward County Detention Center (FL)
Sending money to someone at a juvenile detention center can be confusing, especially when facility rules limit what a detained youth can possess. Here's what you should know (and verify) before trying to put funds on an account.
The biggest rule to understand upfront: detained youth are not permitted to have money while in the detention center. You can't hand cash to a youth or send money "to them" directly and expect them to keep it. If the facility accepts financial support at all, it has to go through whatever approved process the detention center uses, not through personal possession.
The detention center also discourages gifts while a youth is detained. Even well-intentioned items brought in or sent in can be rejected or flagged under facility rules. If you want to support someone, confirm what the facility allows and how they want it provided before spending money on anything that may not be accepted.
Note: Detained youth are not permitted to have any tobacco products at any time while in the detention center. Do not try to include tobacco items with any package or property.
If you're thinking about sending money for food or snacks, keep this in mind: the detention center provides snacks to detained youth every night. That doesn't automatically mean outside food is allowed, but it may help you figure out what kind of support is actually needed before you try to send anything in.
Note: The available information here does not include a facility-specific deposit vendor, payment methods (online, kiosk, money order), fees, posting times, or commissary rules. Verify the current process directly with the facility before attempting to send funds.
Steps to Follow
- ✓ Confirm whether the detention center accepts money deposits at all, and if so, what the approved deposit method is
- ✓ Do not try to give cash directly to a detained youth or send money intended for them to hold (detained youth are not permitted to have money)
- ✓ Avoid sending gifts unless the facility specifically tells you what is permitted (gifts are discouraged while a youth is detained)
- ✓ If your goal is basic comfort food, ask what is already provided (the detention center provides snacks every night)
Reminder: Do not attempt to send tobacco products in any form. They are not permitted for detained youth at any time while in the detention center.
Before making a deposit, contact the facility to find out how they handle money, given that detained youth are not permitted to have it. Ask whether they maintain an internal account for a youth (for approved uses) or whether deposits must go through a specific third-party process the facility authorizes.
- Ask about gifts and property rules - Gifts are discouraged while the youth is in the detention center, so confirm what (if anything) is accepted and how it must be delivered.
- Ask what basic items are already provided - Since snacks are provided every night, check whether additional food or snack items are ever allowed, and if not, what alternatives they recommend for support.
Also confirm the facility's prohibited items list and their mail or property screening rules, especially around contraband. Tobacco products are not permitted for detained youth at any time, so make sure nothing you send could be treated as a tobacco item or related product.
Tip: Use the facility's official contact channels to confirm the current deposit process, and ask for instructions in writing if possible. Keep receipts and any confirmation details for your records.
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