Sending money: electronic deposits, vendors, and trust accounts
Start by confirming what your specific facility accepts. The vendor and rules differ between Pennsylvania DOC, county jails, and federal facilities. Pennsylvania DOC allows family members to send money to an inmate account electronically. Check the "JPay Information" link on the Department's website for details. You may encounter other payment platforms depending on the agency. Access Corrections offers services for sending money to incarcerated people (and other justice-related payments), so you might see it listed for certain facilities. If your loved one uses tablet-based services at a jail requiring paid credits, some facilities let friends and family add funds to an inmate trust account.
Money isn't the only support some facilities allow. If a facility uses Access Securepak, you can create an account, select the agency's product menu, and order approved packages from there.
If your loved one is in a federal (BOP) facility, don't assume the same payment tools apply. The BOP uses the Trust Fund Network (TRUNET) for inmate funds and commissary operations. TRUNET is not connected to the internet.
Common Questions
Q
How do I get set up to receive phone calls from an inmate?
For someone in a Pennsylvania DOC facility, the DOC states you must create a phone account through Securus to receive calls. If you need help with the account, Securus support is listed at 800-844-6591.
Q
How can I add money for an inmate's tablet or commissary?
Start by confirming what the facility uses. Some facilities state you can add funds to an inmate trust account to pay for tablet services, and Pennsylvania DOC advises families to review the “JPay Information” link for electronic deposits for DOC inmates. You can also see providers like Access Corrections listed for sending money, depending on the agency.
Q
Do Pennsylvania facilities use different vendors or systems than federal (BOP) facilities?
Yes. Federal facilities are operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and the BOP uses the Trust Fund Network (TRUNET) to manage inmate funds and commissary operations, which BOP documents state is not connected to the internet. That is separate from the tools you might see listed by Pennsylvania DOC or county jails.
Q
Who do I call for victim notifications or status updates in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania SAVIN (VINE) provides free, anonymous victim information and notification. You can contact SAVIN by calling 1-866-9PA-SAVIN (1-866-972-7284).
Find an Inmate
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
