Sending Money to Someone at USP Atwater: How to Send Funds Correctly (and MoneyGram Account Formatting)

This is a processing requirement, not a suggestion. Money that goes to the institution address can be refused or sent back, which slows everything down. If you’re mailing funds for someone at USP Atwater, address them to the processing center in Des Moines, Iowa so they can be handled correctly.

Once your payment is accepted and credited, the money goes into the inmate's commissary (trust fund) account. Think of it as a bank account maintained by the commissary. Inmates use it to buy items that aren't regularly issued as part of the institution's standard supplies.

This is exactly why the "where you send it" rule matters. When mailed funds go to the Des Moines, Iowa processing center (not the USP Atwater facility address), they get processed and posted to the commissary account without unnecessary delays.

If you're using MoneyGram ExpressPayment, the account number format has to be exact. Use the inmate's eight-digit register number with no spaces or dashes, followed immediately by the inmate's last name. Example format (made up): 12345678DOE. No punctuation, no spaces, no reordering.

Here's what it looks like when you put the two key pieces together (example only). Account number: 12345678DOE. Receive code: 7932. Get either one wrong and the transaction can be rejected, or the money can end up in the wrong place.

Practical Checklist

• ✓ Confirm the inmate’s eight-digit register number.
• ✓ Confirm the inmate’s last name is spelled exactly as it appears on their committed name.
• ✓ If you are sending funds through the mail, do not use USP Atwater’s facility address. Address mailed funds to the processing center in Des Moines, Iowa.
• ✓ If you are using MoneyGram ExpressPayment, enter the account number as: 8-digit register number (no spaces or dashes) + last name (example: 12345678DOE).
• ✓ For MoneyGram ExpressPayment, use receive code 7932.
• ✓ Keep your receipt or confirmation until you know the funds have posted.
• ✓ Remember where the money goes: the inmate’s commissary (trust fund) account for items not regularly issued by the institution.

Hold onto your receipt and any confirmation details. You'll need them if you ever have to track down a delayed payment. If money doesn't show up as expected, start by double-checking the method you used (mail versus MoneyGram) and whether you followed the required routing and formatting so the funds can be credited to the commissary account.