How Inmate Money and the Commissary Account Work at FCI Sandstone (And why you shouldn't mail cash)

The commissary account at FCI Sandstone holds an inmate's funds and covers purchases the institution doesn't routinely provide. Before you send money, it helps to know how the system works and why mailing cash to the facility address won't work.

Think of the commissary as a bank account tied to an on-site store. It holds money and lets inmates purchase approved items that aren't part of their standard issue.

When you deposit money for someone at FCI Sandstone, it goes straight into their commissary account. The Bureau of Prisons maintains these accounts, storing funds from family, friends, or other sources until the inmate spends them.

Here's where families often get tripped up: even though your loved one is housed at FCI Sandstone, mailed funds aren't processed there. If you're sending money by mail, address it to the processing center in Des Moines, Iowa, following the Bureau's instructions exactly.

• ✓ Do not use FCI Sandstone’s street or facility address when sending inmate money through the mail
• ✓ If you plan to mail funds, confirm the correct Des Moines, Iowa processing-center address and formatting requirements before you send anything
• ✓ If you are unsure which deposit options are accepted, get confirmation first so your money goes to the right place

The clearest rule from the facility is also the most urgent: do not mail money to FCI Sandstone's address. Mailed funds must go to the Des Moines, Iowa processing center. Since specific vendor names, online portals, and step-by-step deposit instructions aren't covered here, confirm the current options before sending anything.

1. Call FCI Sandstone before you act. Use 603-342-4000 to confirm the visiting schedule if you’re traveling, and ask what money-deposit options are currently accepted.
2. If you plan to mail funds, verify the destination. Confirm that mailed funds are addressed to the Des Moines, Iowa processing center (not the institution address) and double-check the required addressing details.
3. Ask for the exact method they want you to use. If staff refer you to a specific service or set of instructions, follow that guidance so the deposit goes into the commissary account correctly.