Learn five ways to send money to an inmate in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana — official providers, deposit steps, and free family search tools.
Five Ways to Send Money to an Inmate in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana is a question families confront under real pressure — often within hours of a loved one's booking, before they have had time to think through the process clearly. This guide walks through every legitimate channel available, how each one works, and what families should know before sending a single dollar.
Why Getting This Right Matters From the Start
Money placed on an inmate's account — often called a commissary account or trust account — funds basic necessities that are not always covered by the facility. Soap, snacks, writing materials, and phone credits frequently come out of this account. Without funds, a person in custody may struggle to maintain contact with family or meet basic daily needs.
Jefferson Parish operates two primary detention facilities: the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna and the Jefferson Parish Work Release Center. Understanding which facility holds your loved one is the first step, because deposit methods and providers can vary by location. If you are not certain where your family member is being held, a county jail inmate search is the fastest way to confirm the facility before you try to deposit funds.
Families who skip the verification step sometimes send money to the wrong facility or use an unofficial payment site that mimics the look of a legitimate provider. That can mean lost funds, delays, and added stress during an already difficult time.
A Note on Official Providers Before You Begin
Every correctional facility contracts with specific vendors to handle commissary deposits, phone accounts, and electronic messaging. These contracts change periodically, and the facility's official website or intake staff are the only authoritative sources for which provider is currently approved. The methods described here reflect the channel types that are commonly available at Louisiana parish jails — you should always confirm with Jefferson Parish directly that the specific provider and method are still active.
Using an unauthorized third-party site can result in your money going nowhere, or worse, being captured by a lookalike payment page. Stick to channels the facility has verified. If you are unsure, call the facility's main line and ask which vendor to use for each type of deposit before entering any payment information.
Method One: Depositing Through the Facility's Approved Kiosk Provider
Many parish jails in Louisiana have contracted with a kiosk operator — typically a company that places self-service deposit machines in the facility lobby or at partner retail locations. At Jefferson Parish facilities, families can deposit funds using a kiosk if one is available on-site.
Kiosk deposits typically accept cash, debit cards, or credit cards depending on the machine and location. You enter the inmate's booking number, verify the name on screen, select the account type, and complete the transaction. Receipts are generated immediately, which is useful if any dispute arises later. Processing times for kiosk deposits can range from minutes to a few hours before the funds appear in the inmate's account.
Retail partner locations — such as certain convenience stores or grocery chains that host kiosk terminals — allow family members who cannot travel to the jail to deposit funds closer to home. The fee structures on kiosk deposits vary by provider and transaction amount, so review the fee schedule on screen before confirming. Fees are charged by the vendor, not the facility, and they are typically non-refundable once the transaction is processed.
One real limitation of kiosk deposits is geographic access. If you live far from the jail or a partner retail location, this channel adds an extra logistical burden on top of an already stressful situation.
Method Two: Depositing Online Through the Approved Commissary Platform
Online deposits are the method most families reach for first because they can be completed from home at any hour. The facility's contracted commissary provider typically operates a web portal where you create an account, link the inmate's booking number to your profile, and then deposit funds using a debit or credit card.
The process on most platforms follows this sequence: create a depositor account with your name and contact information, search for the inmate by booking number or name and date of birth, confirm the correct person is displayed, select a deposit amount, and enter your payment details. A confirmation email is usually sent immediately, and the inmate's account is credited within one to two business days on most platforms, though some process faster.
Online deposits are convenient, but they are also the channel most frequently exploited by imitation websites. Fraudulent sites are designed to look identical to legitimate providers. The URL is typically the only tell — an official provider's site will match the address listed on the jail's own official site or that of the contracting vendor. Never navigate to a deposit site from a search engine ad without first verifying the address against the facility's listed resources.
Families using InMato's free county jail search are directed to the official provider for each facility, eliminating the guesswork of identifying which site is legitimate. InMato is an information, search, and referral service — it never processes your payment or holds your money. Deposits always go directly to the official facility provider on their own secure system.
Method Three: Sending Money by Money Order Through the Mail
Money orders are one of the oldest and most universally accepted methods for funding an inmate's account. Most Louisiana parish jails, including Jefferson Parish facilities, accept money orders mailed to the facility's address with the inmate's name and booking number written clearly on the memo line.
You can purchase money orders at post offices, Walmart, many grocery stores, and Western Union or MoneyGram agent locations. The denomination should match your intended deposit exactly, since most facilities will not make change or return overage in cash. Keep your receipt stub — it is the only proof you have if the money order is lost or misapplied to the wrong account.
Address the envelope to the facility's business office or finance office, following whatever format is listed on the official jail website. Include a cover slip with the inmate's full name, booking number, and date of birth if the facility instructs you to do so. Mailing times add at least two to five business days before funds reach the account, and processing at the facility can add additional time.
Money orders are reliable but slow. For families who need to send money to someone in jail urgently — before a first phone call is possible, for example — this method's timeline can feel frustrating. It is, however, available to anyone regardless of whether they have a bank account or debit card.
Method Four: Using a Phone Account Deposit Service
Phone calls from jail do not come out of the general commissary account at most facilities — they are billed through a separate telephone service provider contracted specifically for inmate calls. Depositing into a phone account means your loved one can call you; it does not fund their ability to purchase snacks or hygiene products.
Louisiana correctional facilities have historically contracted with major inmate telephone service providers. The specific vendor at Jefferson Parish facilities is established by contract and is subject to change. The facility's official website or intake staff will confirm which telephone service is in use and how to fund an account. Typically you set up a prepaid calling account linked to your phone number, and calls are deducted from that balance each time your loved one dials you.
Phone account funding can usually be done online through the telephone provider's web portal, by phone via an automated system, or through the same kiosks used for commissary deposits if the vendor supports it. Rates for inmate calls are regulated at the federal level by the Federal Communications Commission, but the specific per-minute rates and any connection fees still vary and should be reviewed on the provider's rate disclosure page before you add funds.
Phone account deposits and commissary deposits are separate. Families sometimes assume that funding one account covers all of a loved one's needs — that is not the case. Confirm with the facility whether these are managed by the same vendor or separate vendors, and budget accordingly.
Method Five: Depositing Cash at the Facility Window
Some Jefferson Parish facilities allow family members to walk in and deposit cash directly at a cashier's window during designated business hours. This is the most direct method and has no processing delay in most cases — funds are typically credited the same day, often the same hour.
You will need to bring a valid government-issued photo ID and know the inmate's full legal name and booking number. Some facilities require you to present the booking sheet or an intake document. Call ahead to confirm the facility's walk-in hours for financial transactions, because these windows are not always open at the same hours as general visiting, and policies can change without notice.
Cash window deposits are useful for families who do not have bank accounts or who want to ensure funds arrive before the next day. The downside is that it requires travel to the facility itself, which is not possible for everyone — particularly family members who live far from Gretna, who lack transportation, or who cannot take time off work during business hours.
Never send cash through the mail. Cash sent through the mail to a correctional facility is almost universally prohibited and will not be returned to the sender. Use money orders if you need to send funds by mail.
Understanding Fees Across All Five Methods
Every method except possibly the cash window involves a transaction fee charged by the vendor, not the facility. These fees are disclosed at the point of transaction but can vary significantly — a flat fee on a small deposit can represent a large percentage of the total amount sent. Comparing fees across available methods before choosing one can save money over time.
Online deposits typically carry a flat fee or a percentage fee depending on deposit size. Kiosk deposits often charge slightly higher fees than online equivalents due to the cost of operating physical hardware. Money orders have no service fee from the facility, but the money order itself costs a small amount to purchase. Phone account funding fees are separate from commissary fees.
If your loved one has a short stay, a single online deposit with a slightly higher fee may be worth the convenience. For families managing ongoing support over weeks or months, it is worth calculating which method costs the least per dollar sent. Some providers offer fee-free deposit windows for small amounts or during promotional periods — check the provider's current fee schedule directly, as these promotions change.
How to Confirm the Right Facility and Provider
Before you send money through any channel, confirm two things: the facility where your loved one is currently held, and the official, contracted provider for the type of account you want to fund. Both of these details can change — transfers between facilities happen, and vendor contracts are renegotiated.
Calling the facility directly is always a reliable option. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office operates both jail facilities and can direct you to the correct department. Inmate locator tools on official parish or state websites are also a starting point, though they do not always reflect same-day booking information.
InMato offers a free county jail inmate search across 289 county jail systems in 14 states, helping families confirm where a loved one is held and identify the official provider for commissary and phone deposits — all without needing to create an account. InMato+ adds jail booking alerts, release and transfer notifications, and court date alerts for $19.99 per month per loved one, with no contract and cancel-anytime self-service cancellation. Families who want proactive updates rather than having to check manually find that alert tier useful during long and uncertain stays.
Avoiding Scams and Unofficial Payment Sites
The correctional services industry has attracted a significant number of fraudulent websites and phone scams targeting families who are unfamiliar with the official process. These sites mimic legitimate providers closely enough to fool a distracted or panicked family member.
Red flags include websites discovered solely through search engine ads rather than through the facility's own listed resources, sites that ask for unusually high fees, and sites that do not display a clear privacy policy or terms of service. If you are ever uncertain about whether a site is legitimate, do not enter payment information — call the facility first and ask for the name and web address of their official deposit vendor.
Searching how to find someone in jail or looking for a jail commissary deposit guide should lead you to tools that point toward official providers, not toward pages designed to intercept your payment. InMato's approach is grounded in this concern: only official licensed providers appear in referrals, and InMato never processes money on behalf of families. Understanding what InMato is — and what it is not — is part of why some families search for confirmation that InMato is legit before using the service. InMato LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, operates strictly as an information, search, and referral service with no role in payment processing.
Supporting Your Loved One Beyond Money
Financial support matters, but families who go through the experience of a loved one's incarceration often find that consistent contact — phone calls, letters, and where permitted, visits — matters just as much to the person inside. Maintaining communication requires funded phone accounts and sometimes electronic messaging accounts, which are managed through the same vendors described above.
Sending a letter costs almost nothing and carries significant personal weight. Most facilities allow standard mail, and some allow cards. Packages of approved goods are typically restricted to what the facility's commissary allows — you generally cannot send personal items from home. Ask the facility directly what mail policies are in place and whether any restrictions apply to the housing unit your loved one is in.
Bail bond referrals and attorney referrals are also part of supporting a loved one during detention. InMato+ includes referrals to licensed bail bondsmen and attorneys as part of its alert and tracking subscription, which can help families navigate next steps without having to search independently at an already overwhelming moment. The InMato app and the InMato website both carry access to the Family Support Library, which includes more than 50 free guides covering topics from the first 24 hours after booking through life after release.
What to Do If a Deposit Does Not Arrive
Occasionally, deposits do not post to an inmate's account as expected. This can happen because of processing delays, a name or booking number mismatch, or a technical issue on the vendor's side. In most cases, the money has not been lost — it is in a pending state that requires a correction.
Start by gathering your receipt or transaction confirmation email. Contact the vendor's customer service line with your transaction ID, the amount, the date, and the inmate's booking number. Most vendors have a dispute process and can trace the deposit. If the vendor is unresponsive, contact the facility's finance office directly — they can see whether a deposit is sitting in a pending queue under a mismatched identifier.
If you used an unofficial site and the deposit never arrived, recovery is much harder. Unauthorized sites often have no customer service line, and the facility will have no record of a transaction from a vendor they have not contracted with. This is precisely why verifying the provider before sending is not just a precaution — it is the step that determines whether your money reaches your loved one at all.
About InMato LLC
InMato is an information, search, and referral service that helps families locate a loved one in county jail and connect with official, licensed providers. Founded by J.T. Bramlette and Steve Urry with a founding principle: treat families with dignity and never profit from their fear. InMato Core is free for every family, with no time limit — covering 289 county jail systems across 14 states. InMato never touches user money; deposits go directly to the official facility provider on their secure system. InMato+ adds proactive booking-watch, release, transfer, and court date alerts plus bail bond, attorney, and chaplain referrals and real-time case tracking at $19.99/month per loved one, cancel anytime. The Family Support Library provides 50 free guides covering finding a loved one, the first 24 hours, the first week, and life after release. Available in English and Spanish. InMato LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, headquartered in Santa Barbara, California.
Get Started with InMato LLC
Search for your loved one now at inmato.com — free for every family, with no time limit. Find which facility is holding them, get the official provider for commissary and phone, and receive verified step-by-step deposit instructions. No account required to search. Available in English and Spanish.
Originally published at https://www.inmato.com/blog/five-ways-to-send-money-to-an-inmate-in-jefferson-parish-louisiana
Written by InMato
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