Sending money

To send money to an inmate first:

• Look up their CDCR number using California Incarcerated Records and Information Search.
• Determine where the inmate is located using the Facility Locator.

3 Ways to Send Money

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)

• Paid service with a fee
• Funds post to an inmate account within 1 – 3 days
• Friends and family can deposit funds to a trust account or restitution only
• Send money through one of our EFT vendors :
  • GTL/ConnectNetwork
  • JPay
  • Access Corrections

Lock Box

• No fee for sending money via money order, personal check, or cashier’s check
• Fill out Money Order Deposit Form (coupon) with sender name and address
• Make check or money order payable to JPay
• Mail to: JPay, 2202 South Figueroa St, Box #3001, Los Angeles, CA 90007
• Do not include any letters or notes with payment, as these will be discarded
• Personal checks will be held for 10 business days
• Maximum of $999.99 per Money Order Deposit Form (coupon)
• Email not required
• Inmate funds only: JPay does not accept Family Visit, TCL, Restitution only, etc.
• Money Order Deposit Form (coupon)
• Visit JPay.com/LegalAgreementsOut for Terms and Conditions. A JPay account is not needed to send money orders, personal checks,

Mail Your Check or Money Order to the Institution

• No fee
• 30 day hold
• Sender’s name and address required on check or money order
• Make check or money order payable to CDCR
• Include Inmate Name and Inmate CDCR # on check

Reasons to Send Money

• Funds to Inmate (for discretionary spending). Money that is being sent to the inmate for his or her own personal use is subject to restitution and administrative charges.
• Restitution Payment. To make a payment for a restitution fine or direct order for a parolee, the parolee should contact his/her parole agent for instruction. If the payment is for an inmate, the inmate should contact his/her counselor for information. When making a payment, please give the restitution fine or direct order information. We also need in writing what should be done with any excess money over the fine or direct order amount. It can either be given to the inmate or refunded to the sender. IMPORTANT: When an inmate has a Restitution Fine and Direct Order Collection a portion of any money you send in will be used to pay that fine or collection. Effective January 1, 2007 and thereafter, when an inmate owes any obligation pursuant to a restitution fine imposed by a court, the department shall deduct 50 percent or the balance owing, whichever is less, from the inmate’s wages and trust account deposits regardless of the source of such income. In addition, an administrative fee of 10 percent of the deduction shall be deducted to reimburse the department for its administrative costs, for a maximum deduction of 55 percent. The amount deducted, less the administrative fee, shall be transferred to the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board for deposit in the Crime Victims’ Restitution Fund in the State Treasury. (CCR § 3097) You may contact the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board at 800-777-9229. Visit the CalVCB website.
• Family Visiting. Before sending money for family visiting, contact the institution’s Family Visiting Office at the institution where the inmate is located for instructions. NOTE: Funds for family visiting may NOT be sent via Electronic Funds Transfer.
• Temporary Community Leave. Before sending money for Temporary Community Leave, the inmate should contact his or her counselor for instructions.