How to deposit funds, commissary, and payment options
SCI Phoenix directs family and friends to send money electronically, following the Department's "JPay Information" details for facility-specific instructions and available payment options. Common deposit methods (when available) include approved online or phone deposit services, lobby kiosks at some facilities, or mailed money orders, though the exact vendor and methods can vary by site. Deposits typically go to specific inmate accounts like commissary or trust funds, phone or prepaid accounts, or tablet balances. These funds cover things like commissary purchases, phone time, and tablet-related charges. If you're funding tablet use, you can add money to an inmate's tablet balance, but the inmate must order the tablet through the DOC commissary and have a JPay account. Always include the inmate's name and facility ID or booking number, plus your contact information, on any required forms.
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Trying to help someone at SCI Phoenix get a tablet or keep it funded? The process is pretty specific. The inmate has to place the order through commissary, and outside support usually means sending money through a DOC-accepted method.
SCI Phoenix directs families to send funds electronically, following the Department's "JPay Information" details for instructions and payment options. Depending on what the facility accepts, deposits may be available online, by phone, via lobby kiosks, or by mailed money order.
Yes. Family and friends may fund an inmate’s tablet balance, but the tablet itself must be ordered by the inmate through the DOC commissary, and a JPay account is required.
Include the inmate's full name and facility-specific ID or booking number on deposit slips or money orders, along with your own name and address. Use the approved payment method listed for SCI Phoenix to make sure the deposit goes through.
If you want to stay in touch with someone at SCI Phoenix, your main options are scheduled visits (including video) and phone calls. Here are the rules that tend to trip people up, plus the simplest way to plan ahead.
If your loved one is at SCI Phoenix, general mail doesn't go directly to the prison. Everything gets routed through Smart Communications for processing first. Small mistakes (wrong paper size, missing inmate number, bound pages) can delay or reject your mail.
Sending mail to someone at SCI Phoenix is straightforward—just use the correct address format and follow Smart Communications rules for letters and photos.
