How to Add Money to an Inmate's Account at Wayne Scott Unit

Since September 1, 2020, you can only deposit money if you're on the inmate's Approved Visitation List or their Approved Phone List. Not on either list? Your deposit won't go through - even if you're a close family member.

Not sure if you're approved? Two options: the inmate can add you to their Approved Visitation List, or you can register your phone through Securus to get on the Approved Phone List. Either one works - you don't need to be on both.

Accepted Methods

• ✓ Money Orders or Cashier’s Checks (paper deposits)
• ✓ Electronic deposit options, including systems like eCommDirect
• ✓ Don’t send cash or personal checks - they aren’t accepted and will be returned to the sender
• ✓ If you’re trying to use eCommDirect for a newly received inmate, expect a delay: new inmates aren’t eligible for purchases until the next calendar quarter

Deposits of $500.00 or more are held for 14 days before the inmate can access the funds. The money may show as received, but your loved one won't be able to spend it right away.

The same 14-day hold applies to certain check types: insurance checks, company checks, payroll checks, estate checks, and similar disbursements. If you're sending one of these, plan ahead so your loved one isn't expecting immediate access.

Need to follow up? Trust fund staff can confirm whether a deposit was received. But they won't share account activity or balance details with anyone except the inmate - even if you're the one who sent the money.

1. Ask the inmate to add you to their Approved Visitation List - once you’re on that list, you’re eligible to send deposits.
2. Or register your phone through Securus to get on the Approved Phone List - this is the other approved route to become an eligible sender.
3. Try your deposit again after you’re approved - since the September 1, 2020 rule limits deposits to people on one of these two lists, getting added is the step that unlocks everything else.