Sending money: online, kiosks, and money-transfer basics
The "right" way to send money in Virginia depends on where your loved one is housed. Hampton directs families to deposit funds online through Access Corrections and lists lobby kiosks at the jail locations that accept cash, debit, or credit cards. The facility also provides a phone number for fund-related transactions: 1-866-345-1884.
If Access Corrections is listed for your facility, the vendor offers several remote payment options, including sending money and other justice-related payments. Regional jails using GettingOut materials may direct you to deposit funds online through GettingOut and ConnectNetwork, along with phone numbers for deposits and PIN Debit support.
For federal facilities, pay close attention to formatting rules. A small typo can send money to the wrong place. The BOP says that for MoneyGram ExpressPayment, you use the inmate's eight-digit register number followed immediately by the inmate's last name as the account number (example format: 12345678DOE). The MoneyGram receive code for BOP facilities is always 7932. Also watch your account activity if you use an AdvancePay-style account. ConnectNetwork states an AdvancePay account can become inactive and be subject to forfeiture after 180 consecutive days of inactivity or non-use (subject to governing law or contract).
Common Questions
Q
How do I set up to receive phone calls or messages from an inmate?
Start by confirming which phone or messaging provider the facility uses, then create the account that provider requires. One Virginia jail instructs families to call 1-866-516-0115 or register online to set up an account to receive phone calls. If you are dealing with a Smart Communications setup or correspondence issue, their customer care line is listed as 888-253-5178 and is open 24/7.
Q
Can I send packages or order commissary items online for an inmate?
Some facilities do not accept shipped packages at all, so you have to follow the local rule first. For example, Hampton states that shipped packages and bulk mail items are not accepted for inmates. Where package ordering is allowed, it is often done through a vendor catalog program, such as Access Securepak, which directs you to create an account, use the agency product menu, and place an order.
Q
How do I make sure a money transfer posts to the correct inmate account?
Use the exact format required by the vendor or agency, and double-check the inmate’s ID number before you hit submit. For federal (BOP) facilities, the BOP states that MoneyGram ExpressPayment uses the inmate’s eight-digit register number followed immediately by the inmate’s last name as the account number (example: 12345678DOE), and the receive code is always 7932. For state or local facilities that use a different deposit system, follow the facility’s deposit instructions (for example, one Virginia jail directs families to use Access Corrections).
Q
What number do I call if a vendor or phone system is not working?
Use the vendor support line listed for the system your facility uses. Smart Communications lists a 24/7 Customer Care line at 888-253-5178. For deposits at one Virginia jail, a fund-related transaction phone number is listed as 1-866-345-1884, and some GettingOut materials also list deposit support at 1-866-516-0115.
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