How to Send Money to Facility
Sending money so your loved one can buy a tablet or use paid tablet features is pretty straightforward once you know the approved routes. Here's what this facility's DOC guidance specifically supports, and what to double-check before you pay.
At this facility, family and friends must use a JPay account to send money to an inmate for purchasing a tablet. You cannot order the tablet yourself, even if you're the one funding it. Tablets may only be ordered by the inmate through the DOC commissary system. Another approved option is adding funds to the inmate's trust account through the Lobby Kiosk, which can support tablet use and other commissary needs. Exact fees, limits, and processing times aren't included in the available guidance, so stick with the approved channels and confirm those details before you submit a payment.
Note: Tablet spending runs on "Link units." One Link unit equals one penny, and it's the currency used for songs, email, games, and other DOC-approved items.
Steps to Follow
- ✓ Use a JPay account to send money to your loved one when the goal is to help them purchase a tablet.
- ✓ If you’re adding general spending money, add funds to the inmate’s trust account through the Lobby Kiosk so it’s available for tablet-related use and commissary.
- ✓ Remember that the tablet itself must be ordered by the inmate through the DOC commissary system (family and friends cannot place that order directly).
- ✓ Understand what the money may be used for on the tablet: Link units (one penny each) are used for songs, email, games, and other DOC-approved items, and Link units can be purchased through commissary orders.
Reminder: DOC-approved tablets do not have Wi‑Fi and they cannot take photos while the person is in custody.
Before you send money, confirm the current approved funding methods for this facility. Is JPay still required for sending money tied to a tablet purchase? Is the Lobby Kiosk available for adding funds to the inmate's trust account? If you're looking to cover communication and entertainment costs, ask how Link units are currently purchased through commissary orders and what pricing looks like. Link units are the system used for email, songs, games, and other DOC-approved items.
Also verify the "who can order" rule before you load money specifically for a tablet. The guidance says tablets may only be ordered by an inmate through the DOC commissary system, not directly by family or friends. If your loved one already has a tablet (or is about to get one), confirm the current device restrictions too. That includes the fact that it does not have Wi‑Fi and cannot take photos, since policy and features can change over time.
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