How to visit or send money to a prisoner

If you know someone who is in prison, you may be able to support them by visiting or sending them money. Find out how to support someone in federal or state prison.

Visit or send money to someone in state or local prison

Options for visiting or sending money to inmates in state and local prisons vary. Contact the state or local corrections department for more information.

Send money to someone in federal prison

People in federal prison have bank-type accounts that they can use to buy things from the prison commissary. You can deposit money into a federal inmate's account electronically or through a postal money order by mail.

Learn more about depositing money into a federal prisoner’s account.

Visit someone in federal prison

The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) recommends completing these four steps before visiting someone in federal prison:

  1. Find out which prison the person you are visiting is in.

  2. Get approval from the prison to visit.

  3. Review the prison’s rules and regulations before visiting.

  4. View the prison’s visiting schedule and find out how to get there.

Learn more from BOP about each step before planning your visit.

LAST UPDATED: January 31, 2024

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