How IDOC’s Mail Scanning Works and How to Stop Unwanted Contact
If you're sending mail to someone in IDOC custody, it helps to know what they'll actually receive. And if you need contact to stop, IDOC has a specific form for that.
Send Money at Southwestern Corrections Center, IL
How to deposit funds, commissary, and payment options
Overview
Southwestern Corrections Center supports two ways to fund phone calls: a Friends and Family prepaid ICSolutions account, or minutes purchased through the incarcerated person's commissary. If you use an online vendor or service, follow the registration steps and enter the incarcerated person's identifying details (full name plus their booking/ID number or date of birth) so funds post to the right account. Electronic deposits and vendor transfers usually post faster than mailed payments, though exact timing depends on the vendor and method you choose. Before sending money, confirm whether it goes into the commissary/trust account and whether any outstanding balances will be deducted before the recipient can use the funds. During prepaid registration, provide any requested fields (such as a GTL Visitor ID) to help speed approval.
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Quick Facts
- Families can fund phone calls either with Friends & Family prepaid ICSolutions accounts or by buying minutes through the incarcerated person’s commissary.
- When registering for an ICSolutions account, visitors are recommended to enter their GTL Visitor ID to help expedite approval.
- Provide the incarcerated person’s full name plus their booking/ID number or date of birth when you make a deposit.
- Electronic deposits usually post faster than mailed payments, but exact timing depends on the vendor and method used.
Common Questions
How can I add money for phone calls at Southwestern Corrections Center?
Fund phone calls through a Friends and Family prepaid ICSolutions account, or have the incarcerated person purchase minutes through commissary. When you register with ICSolutions, follow the vendor prompts carefully, including any requested Visitor ID fields, to speed up approval.
How long will it take for deposited funds or phone minutes to be available?
Posting times depend on the vendor and the deposit method. Electronic deposits typically post faster than mailed payments, and transfers between facilities can add delays.
What information do I need to provide when sending money to an incarcerated person?
Include the incarcerated person's full name and their booking/ID number or date of birth so the deposit posts correctly. Follow the deposit vendor's instructions closely to avoid misapplied payments.
Other Guides for Southwestern Corrections Center, IL
How IDOC’s Mail Scanning Works and When Mail Gets Rejected (what Southwestern families should know)
If your loved one is at Southwestern or another IDOC facility, their incoming mail won't arrive as paper. It gets scanned and delivered electronically to their tablet — and some mail gets rejected before it ever reaches them.
Phone & Messaging
How to Contact an Inmate at Southwestern Corrections Center, IL (IL)
Staying in touch by phone with someone at Southwestern Corrections Center (IDOC) starts with figuring out how calls get paid for. There are two funding options through ICSolutions.
