What Happens to Your Money at Orange County Jail — Accounts, commissary use, and how to pick up money/property

Money questions come up fast after someone is booked into Orange County Jail. Where does their cash go? What can they spend it on? How do you pick up money or property later? Here's what you need to know about inmate accounts, deposit requirements, money release limits, and the ID you'll need for pickup.

At Orange County Jail, an inmate's money account covers more than commissary snacks. The balance can also go toward medical services and jail fees. That's why families often add funds even when the person had cash at booking - those dollars help cover basic needs and charges that come up during custody.

Deposit Requirements

• ✓ Make deposit items payable to the inmate.
• ✓ Include the inmate’s jail (booking) number.
• ✓ Include the sender’s name and address on the deposit item (government checks are the exception).

Deposits typically process into the inmate's account within 48 hours. If you're trying to time a commissary order or cover something urgent, plan around that window.

Want to get money released from an inmate's account to someone on the outside? Orange County Jail limits this. Each inmate gets one money release per incarceration, and the amount can't exceed what was deposited at arrest.

1. Have the inmate complete the money release form (10-1007) - this is required to authorize a release.
2. Have the inmate mail the form to the authorized person - the jail requires the form be mailed to the individual who will receive the money.

The authorized person picking up the money must bring a valid driver's license or state ID card. No valid ID, no release.

Pickup Hours

• ✓ Property & money release hours (all facilities except BRC, bondsmen, and attorneys): Tuesday evenings 7:15 pm–8:45 pm; Wednesday mornings 7:15 am–8:45 am; Saturday & Sunday mornings 10:00 am–12:00 pm (noon); Saturday & Sunday evenings 7:15 pm–8:45 pm.
• ✓ BRC, bondsmen, and attorneys: property & money releases are available 24/7 except during shift change (5:00 am–7:00 am and 5:00 pm–7:00 pm).

Bring a valid driver's license or state ID when you go to pick up inmate money. Show up without proper ID, and you'll have to come back.

Wrap

• ✓ Remember what the account is used for: commissary purchases, medical services, and jail fees.
• ✓ Make deposit items payable to the inmate and include the inmate’s jail (booking) number.
• ✓ Put the sender’s name and address on the deposit item (except government checks).
• ✓ Expect deposits to be normally processed into the inmate’s account within 48 hours.
• ✓ To release money out to someone, the inmate must complete and mail money release form 10-1007 to the authorized person.
• ✓ The person picking up inmate money must show a valid driver’s license or state ID.
• ✓ Plan around the limits: one money release per incarceration, up to the amount deposited during the arrest.
• ✓ Don’t overlook the minimum: $30 must remain in the inmate’s account after a release.
• ✓ Use the correct pickup window: standard release hours for all facilities except BRC/bondsmen/attorneys, and 24/7 for BRC/bondsmen/attorneys except during shift change (5:00–7:00 am and 5:00–7:00 pm).