How to send money that will reach an inmate
The right way to send money in Louisiana depends on where your loved one is housed. Some parish facilities accept mailed money orders and provide a specific physical address, while others list separate commissary deposit services with a facility number. Many facilities let you make online deposits with a credit or debit card. Expect a service charge to be added before you finalize the payment.
- Pick the method the facility actually uses. A parish jail may list a mailing address for money orders and a commissary deposit option, while another location may steer you to an online deposit site that adds a service charge.
- Fill out money orders exactly as required. One example parish instruction is to make money orders out to the inmate, then mail them to the jail’s published money-order address.
- Plan for how the account is used. Some facilities place money held at booking into an Offender Account Fund, and deposits during incarceration can be used for commissary, phone, and tablet-related costs.
- Know that old debt can reduce what’s available. One published parish policy says that if an offender has prior debt, 50% of new deposits go toward that debt and the remaining 50% is available for use.
- Follow DOC money-order limits if your loved one is in DOC custody. One DOC money order coupon shows a maximum single money order amount of $999.99, and it also states that money orders over $500 may require DOC approval and can be delayed before posting.
Tip: Some facilities also offer paid paperwork services connected to incarceration status. One example lists a $15 fee for a letter of incarceration at a parish facility, so it’s worth asking the jail admin if you need documentation for work, school, or benefits.
Common Questions
Q
How much does messaging or tablet access usually cost?
Costs depend on the facility and vendor, but one published example for JailATM messaging bills $5.00 in credits when you enable a Messaging Subscription, with messages costing $0.50 each. That same example says credits can auto-replenish by purchasing another $5.00 when you run out (you can cancel). One tablet program example also mentions 15 minutes of free tablet use every 3 hours unless an unlimited-access pass is purchased.
Q
Where should I mail a money order or letter for an inmate at a parish jail?
It depends on the parish and the jail, so verify the address with the facility before you mail anything. One parish example lists a physical address for mailing money orders to the jail, and another example routes inmate mail to “JPCC Inmate Housing Area, P.O. Box 388, Gretna, LA 70053.”
Q
What happens to money an offender had at booking and how are deposits used?
One parish policy says money in an offender’s possession at booking is placed into an Offender Account Fund. Deposits can then be used for commissary and services like phone or tablet time, but if there is prior debt, that same policy says 50% of new deposits may be applied to the debt and 50% remains available.
Q
Are there limits on money orders I can send by mail to DOC facilities?
Yes. One Louisiana DOC money order coupon shows a maximum single money order amount of $999.99, and it also says money orders over $500 are subject to DOC approval, which may delay posting to your loved one’s account.
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