In 1930, the Department of Justice established Commissarys to Federal institutions. The Commissary was developed to help generate a savings account for the money that prisoners collect not issued from the Federal State Penitentiary. For the first time, these accounts provided the Bureau of Prisons to preserve responsibility for funds prisoners obtain while imprisoned. Funding sources are classically from family and friends, however, other sources are allowed to contribute as well.
If one were to send monies to a Federal inmate, the best way to do so would be through the US Postal Service or money transfer service through the Quick Collect Program. Before any money can be received, the inmate must be housed at one of the Federal prisons. This means that if the inmate is not physically living at one of these facilities, the money cannot be posted and will be rejected - as anybody can send monies to prisoners via the mail. There are set rules that must be followed, otherwise, the monies may be received.
It is important to always remember that the monies are sent in a form of money order. The money order must be made out to the inmate’s full legal name with their individual eight-digit registration number. Again, cash or personal checks will not be accepted for deposit.
Other guidelines are also needed. The name and address of the sender must appear in the upper left hand corner of the envelope. This is necessary in case the mail needs to be returned to the sender. The deposit envelope cannot have anything other than the deposit. If this happens for any reason, the Bureau of Prisons will immediately trash of all items included with the deposit. If the monies are not received, it is the sender’s job to trace the funds through the institution where the money order was ordered.
As formerly mentioned, money can also be sent to prisoners via money transfer services, also known as the Quick Collect Program. If sent between the hours of 7:00am and 9:00pm Eastern Standard time, monies sent through this manner will post to the prisoners account within 2-4 hours. Any funds received after this time will be posted the next business day by 7:00am.
Once again, as reminder: It is crucial that the sender is aware of the specific instructions of sending funds. If for any reason, the prisoner number is wrong and funds are unintentionally posted to another inmate’s account, the money will most likely not be returned.
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