Penmate Inmate Support Guides
wtrj-commissary-ordering-refunds

Commissary Ordering at Western Tidewater: When to Order, Weekly Limits, and Refunds If Your Loved One Leaves

Commissary timing and limits can be confusing—especially when someone's case status changes fast. Here's how ordering works at Western Tidewater, including weekly caps, delivery schedules, and what happens if your loved one is released before an order arrives.

• 2 min read • wtrj.org
Commissary Ordering at Western Tidewater: When to Order, Weekly Limits, and Refunds If Your Loved One Leaves

Western Tidewater has two separate weekly limits. Inmates can order up to $200 for themselves from the in-house commissary each week. They can also receive up to $200 from family and friends. If you're placing an outside order, plan around that cap to avoid surprises.

You can place commissary orders any day of the week except Monday. If you're trying to time an order for a specific week, don't count on Monday to get it in.

Deliveries run on a weekly cycle. Orders go out on Wednesday, but the jail has until Friday to finish distributing everything. If your loved one doesn't get their order on Wednesday, it may still arrive later that week.

If your loved one is released before commissary is handed out, Western Tidewater won't hold the order. It won't be waiting for them to pick up after release.

When an inmate leaves, canteen items are returned to Oasis and the funds are credited back to the inmate's account. The order doesn't transfer to you on the outside - it goes back through the vendor process.

Commissary Ordering at Western Tidewater: When to Order, Weekly Limits, and Refunds If Your Loved One Leaves

Help and Contacts

  • ✓ Viapath (kiosk deposit or canteen-related issues): 1-800-306-2957
  • ✓ Aramark (iCare issues): 1-888-439-5020
  • ✓ Oasis (Oasis-related issues, including order problems): 1-800-956-2747

Trying to track down a missing order after someone's released? Focus on the credit process: items go back to Oasis, and funds are credited to the inmate. Hold onto any order confirmations, receipts, or screenshots - you'll need them when contacting Oasis to locate the order and confirm the credit.

  1. Avoid Mondays for ordering - Western Tidewater allows canteen orders any day except Monday.
  2. Plan around the Wednesday-to-Friday delivery window - deliveries run Wednesday each week, and the jail has until Friday to complete all deliveries.
  3. Be cautious ordering near a release or transfer - the jail will not hold canteen orders for released inmates.
  4. Save your order confirmation - if an inmate leaves, the canteen is returned to Oasis and the money is credited back, and your confirmation details help if you need support.

Find an Inmate at Western Tidewater Jail

Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.

Exact spelling helps find results faster

Free to search · Used by families nationwide
Woman using phone to connect with loved one

More from Western Tidewater Jail

wtrj-commissary-week-ordering

Commissary Week at Western Tidewater Jail: When to Order, Spending Limits, and Delivery

Commissary orders at Western Tidewater Jail can be placed any day except Monday. If you're timing an order around paydays or visits, keep that no-order day in mind so you don't miss the week's window.

released-inmate-funds-and-transfers-wtrj

Getting Your Money Back After Release or Transfer from Western Tidewater

When your loved one is released or transferred to another facility, one question comes up fast: what happens to the money in their inmate account? Here's how Western Tidewater handles payouts and transfers - and how to avoid delays.

oasis-commissary-guide-wtrj

How Commissary Orders Work at Western Tidewater: Timing, Limits, and What Happens If an Inmate Leaves

Commissary makes a real difference in someone's day-to-day comfort inside. Here's how orders work at Western Tidewater Regional Jail - weekly limits, when orders go in and arrive, and what happens if someone gets released or transferred.