Merced County Main Jail Facility Sending Money
Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Merced County Main Jail Facility
The Easiest and Securest Way of Depositing Money for an Inmate
There are several methods for depositing money on an inmate's account:
1. To send money online to an inmate in the Merced County Main Jail Facility use Touchpay money deposits. support@touchpaydirect.com
2. If you have any questions you can email them at support@touchpaydirect. They do not take calls.
3. Deposit cash or use a debit or credit card using a dedicated kiosk for this purpose. The machine is located in the lobby or visitation area of the Merced County Main Jail Facility.
4. The Merced County Main Jail Facility may also allow you to *mail an inmate a money order or cashier’s check from a trusted source such as the Post Office, a local bank, or Western Union. The money order should be be made out to either the inmate or the Merced County Sheriff's Office, with the inmate’s name and ID# on the memo line of the check. To confirm this option call the facility at 209-385-7410.
*When mailing a money order or cashier’s check, send it an envelope by itself. Never send it with a letter or photos for your inmate, unless the facility allows it. Never send personal checks or cash.
5. The Merced County Main Jail Facility has a reception desk that may accept cash, money orders or cashier checks. Call 209-385-7410 to find out the specific hours for drop off times.
Merced County Main Jail Facility
Address:
700 W. 22nd St.
Merced, CA 95344
Phone:
209-385-7410
How to put Money on an Inmate's Commissary Account in the Merced County Main Jail Facility
Options for putting money on an inmate's books in Merced County Main Jail Facility:
Option 1 - Dropping Money at the Jail
Bring money to the jail in person.
You will use a Touchpay self-serve kiosk in the lobbies that accepts cash, debit or credit cards.
Option 2 - Deposit Inmate Money Online
Merced County Main Jail Facility uses Touchpay to process all online deposits to an inmate's account. The company charges you a small fee for doing so, but the fee probably isn't as much as gas and parking would cost to take it to the jail in person.
Option 3 - Mail the Inmate Deposit to the Jail
Mailing a deposit takes more time to process than the other methods but can be done if you live too far away to bring it in person and you don't have a debit/credit card for online deposits. Never send cash. Always send a Money Order from the US Post Office, a reputable bank or Western Union.
NOTE: Call the Merced County Main Jail Facility at 209-385-7410 to see if they are still allowing money orders to be mailed.
Option 4 - Make an Inmate Deposit over the Phone by calling Touchpay at 866-232-1899.
To do this you will need the inmate's offender # (inmate ID #), full legal name, and Facility Locator Number. Call 209-385-7410 to get the Facility Locator Number.
To Deposit Money online, over the phone, or at the Merced County Main Jail Facility, you will need to know the Facility Locator Number, which is: 295340.
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TouchPay Inmate Trust Money Deposits
Provider: TouchPay Direct • A ViaPath Technologies Company (GTL Financial)
TouchPay (operated by GTL Financial Services and part of ViaPath Technologies) provides payment processing solutions enabling family members to deposit funds directly into an incarcerated person's jail trust and commissary account. Deposited funds allow the inmate to purchase commissary food items, clothing, hygiene essentials, and medical sundries, or transfer balances to phone time.
Important: Facility Site IDs and Deposit Limits Vary
Once a person is booked and moved to a housing unit, facilities do not always allow cash drop-offs or phone payments directly to the jail window. Some might and you should confirm this by calling the facility and asking. In addition, each correctional agency requires a specific TouchPay Site ID number to route payments accurately. If you do not register online and fund your loved one's trust account immediately, they may be forced to wait days or weeks for standard paper processing, leaving them without essential soap, clean undergarments, basic medical sundries or snacks.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Deposit Trust Funds
- Obtain the inmate's legal first and last name, date of birth, and assigned facility booking ID number, along with the jail's 3- to 5-digit TouchPay Site ID.
- Navigate to www.touchpayonline.com or dial automated phone payments at 1-866-232-1899.
- Select Trust Deposits and enter the facility Site ID or search by state and agency name.
- Confirm the inmate's profile matches the facility's active housing roster.
- Enter the deposit dollar amount, review convenience and transaction fees, and input your credit or debit card billing information.
- Submit payment and record your confirmation tracking number for your financial records.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate does not need an internet account to receive trust funds. Once authorized, funds post directly to their facility accounting balance in the jail's internal system. The inmate can review their updated balance at a dayroom kiosk terminal or on their trust receipt and place orders on their regular commissary distribution day.
Official Providers: TouchPay Official Website | ViaPath Technologies
Customer Service Telephone: 1-866-232-1899 (Automated & Live Support)
Support Hours: Automated Deposits 24/7/365; Live Support Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM CST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by TouchPay (ViaPath Technologies)
In addition to Trust Money Deposits, TouchPay and ViaPath handle bail bonding and inmate telephone services:
- TouchPay Cash Bail & Bond Payments: Pay appearance bonds and release fees online 24/7 to expedite custody release.
• Learn more on our website: Cash Bail & Bonding Guide | • Visit official vendor page: TouchPay Bail Services - AdvancePay Phone Calling Accounts: Prepay for phone calling credits so your loved one can call your mobile phone directly.
• Learn more on our website: AdvancePay Calling Guide | • Visit official vendor page: ViaPath ConnectNetwork Calling
Merced County Main Jail Facility Commissary Instructions
Merced County Main Jail Facility allows pre-determined commissary packs to be purchased by friends and family of inmates.
The service they use is called icaregifts.
Instructions
1. Register here.
2. Click the "Find an Inmate" button and enter your loved one’s first name, last name, or inmate number. When the information is entered correctly, click the “Search” button to confirm they are in the system.
3. Select the icare gift you want to send them.
4. Confirm the order in your confirmation email.
5. Merced County Main Jail Facility has up to 30 days to give your icaregift pack to your inmate.
6. You will receive a confirmation email when it is delivered.
There are a total of fourteen (14) pre-determined icaregift packs available to choose from.
They range in price from $10.49 for ten pre-stamped envelopes, 2 pens and a pad of writing paper…
… to $104.99 for a box of 85 snack and food items…
… with many gift packs priced in between.
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions (you must have an inmate chosen in order to review these FAQs for Merced County Main Jail Facility
Contact Info:
888-439-5020 - 8AM–9PM ET, 7 days a week.
What Can You Purchase for an Inmate's Commissary at Merced County Main Jail Facility
icaregifts is the Merced County Main Jail Facility's outside vendor for Commissary Items. They have a very good mix of Chips, Snacks, Candy, Meat, Seafood, Hygeine products, and Letter writing materials for sale on their website.
Who can Purchase Commissary for Merced County Main Jail Facility Inmates?
Anybody can purchase commissary for your inmate as long as there is not a 'no-contact order' in place, as this might get them in further trouble.
Because of the ability for family members and friends to purchase commissary online from icaregifts using a Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card, you and your inmate have more options.
Why Do Inmates in Merced County Main Jail Facility need Commissary?
Since inmates are not allowed to possess cash money while in custody, the Merced County Main Jail Facility allows the inmate's family and/or friends to purchase products online from icaregifts.
This allows them to obtain items such as personal hygiene products, snacks, apparel, electronics and stationery supplies. Otherwise they go without, and you don't want them to be obligated to others for their basic needs.
Important Tips and Information About Your Inmate's Commissary
Sometimes an inmate's commissary money is used to purchase items to pay gambling debts or purchase prescription medicine from another inmate. If your inmate is spending more than $10.00 a day on commissary items, you are most likely paying for him or her to gamble or buy drugs.
Some inmates, specifically those who are targeted for being weak or are in jail for rape or child molestation, are forced to relinquish their commissary to avoid regular beatings from other inmates.
If you think your inmate is being targeted for violence or having their commissary taken to avoid beatings, contact the Merced County Main Jail Facility and ask to investigate. If an inmate is being targeted, they will intervene and have the victim placed in protective custody, away from the general population.
Put your financial needs first and the inmate's second. Don't forget, the inmate is getting three free 2,000 calorie meals a day. The food may not be of the highest quality, but the commissary food is generally much less nutritious.
Click here to purchase commissary online for your inmate at Merced County Main Jail Facility.