Luzerne County Correctional Facility Sending Money
Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Luzerne County Correctional 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 Luzerne County Correctional Facility use gettingout / GTL / Viapath.
2. If you prefer to use your credit or debit card and deposit money over the phone, you can call them at 866-516-0115.
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 Luzerne County Correctional Facility.
4. The Luzerne County Correctional 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 Luzerne 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 570-829-7741.
*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 Luzerne County Correctional Facility has a reception desk that may accept cash, money orders or cashier checks. Call 570-829-7741 to find out the specific hours for drop off times.
Luzerne County Correctional Facility
Address:
99 Water Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Phone:
570-829-7741
Luzerne County Correctional Facility Sending Money
You can make a deposit to an inmate's account at the jail's Accounting Office window Monday-Friday from 7:00AM to 3:00PM.
The address is:
Luzerne County Correctional Facility
99 Water Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
- They do not accept cash at the the jail's Accounting Office, but they do at the Kiosk (see below).
- Money Orders or Certified Bank Checks can also be sent through the mail to the above address.
- In order to ensure accuracy, address the envelope with the Inmate's Full Name, along with the Luzerne County Booking Number.
In-Person Deposits
The Luzerne County Correctional Facility Lobby also has a Kiosk for depositing funds.
The Kiosk accepts $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 bills.
Money can be deposited for the inmate’s general account (including commissary) or for the Inmate Telephone system.
The fee for cash deposits is $2.50 per transaction (up to $300).
Online Deposits
The fee for online credit card deposits up to $20 is $2.95; and increases to an $11.50 fee for the maximum $300 credit card deposit.
All fees are posted on the Kiosk in the lobby.
Depositing Cash, Money Orders & Cashier's Checks at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility
Depositing Money in an Inmate's Commissary Account at Luzerne County Correctional Facility
Whatever cash the inmate has on their person when booked into the facility will automatically deposited and credited to their account. When released any money left in the account will be returned to them in the form of a check from the Sheriff's Department or the Luzerne County Correctional Facility Trust Account. There may be circumstances where the inmate can give permission to have his money released to a family member or friend.
Option 1 - Dropping Money at the Jail
- Bring money to the jail in person.
- Either the jail personnel will process the Inmate Account payment or you will use a self-serve kiosk in the lobby that accepts cash, debit or credit cards.
Option 2 - 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.
- Never send cash. Always send a Money Order or Cashier's Check from the US Post Office, a reputable bank or Western Union.
- Make the Money Order out to the inmate and put their Inmate ID# in memo section of the Money Order.
Mail to:
99 Water Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Failure to do this properly will delay your inmate getting their account credited and may require you to have to resubmit a second money order.
Call 570-829-7741 to ask any questions about this.
How to put money on an inmate's books for Inmate Communications at Luzerne County Correctional Facility
Depositing Money for Communicating with an Inmate
How to Make a Deposit for Phone, Email or Visitation using Viapath/GettingOut.com
Luzerne County Correctional Facility uses GettingOut for some or all of its communication services with an inmate.
If you want to deposit money using this company for your use or your inmate's account, there are four ways to do it:
- Online - They accept all major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
- At the Luzerne County Correctional Facility using the kiosk in the jail lobby - (cash, debit or credit card) NOTE - Luzerne County Correctional Facility may require identity verification so bring your driver’s license or some other form of ID.
- By phone by calling 866-516-0115 - They have bi-lingual operators are standing by 24 hours 7 days a week to assist you with your deposit. Major credit cards accepted are Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
- By using their app, either Android or iphone. - All credit cards mentioned above are accepted.
Occasionally, it may take up to 72 hours for funds to be active on an inmate Trust & Commissary account, however most people experience deposits are available immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions about Inmate Money Accounts
How do I send money to an inmate in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility?
Who are the companies that jails use to send money to inmates?
How do I send money by mail to an inmate in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility?
Can I send an inmate money using the internet?
What are considered ‘inmate funds’?
How much money can I send an inmate at one time?
Is it illegal for an inmate in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility to have cash?
If an inmate can’t have cash in jail, how do they purchase contraband or gamble?
What are things inmates use or trade in lieu of cash?
What kind of food can an inmate purchase on Commissary in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility?
What items can inmates purchase in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility?
Important tips about sending money to an inmate in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility
How do I send money to an inmate in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility?
Luzerne County Correctional Facility has its own methods for receiving money for inmates, and that information can be found above or by calling 570-829-7741 and asking, however all jails and prisons all receive money for an inmate’s trust and commissary account, as well as an account used for communications, pretty much the same way.
1. Mailing an inmate a money order or cashier’s check from a trusted source such as the Post Office, a local bank, or Western Union. Ask the Luzerne County Correctional Facility how the money order must be made out, and put the inmate’s name and ID# on the memo line of the check.
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.
Never send personal checks or cash either.
2. Ask the Luzerne County Correctional Facility whether it has an GETTING OUT kiosk on site where you can deposit cash or use a debit or credit card.
3. Some jails have a reception desk or booth that is open during certain hours that they will list on their website. They will accept cash, money orders or cashier checks. Other facilities that don’t have a human manning the desk will have mail drop where you can leave a money order or check. No cash can be left in these boxes.
4. There are multiple companies that jails and prisons contract with which accept GETTING OUT inmate deposits online, by mail or over the phone, or even in GETTING OUT kiosks you can find in check cashing stores and retail outlets across the country.
If one of these companies (listed in the next question) works with Luzerne County Correctional Facility, this information will be outlined at the top of this page.
Who are the companies that jails use to send money to inmates?
There are many companies competing for the accounts of jail and prison inmates. Their intention is to alleviate the staffing and financial responsibility of the jail handling inmate’s accounts. They usually charge a fee equal to 3-5% of the total deposit.
The companies, in alphabetical order, are:
Access Corrections
AllPaid (aka GovPayNet)
Care A Cell
Cash Bond Online
CIDNET
City Tele Coin
CommissaryDeposit.com
Correct Solutions Group
Correctpay
Ctel
Edevo
Express Account
gettingout
GTL
Inmate Canteen
InmateSales
JailATM
Jail Pack Store (McDaniel Supply)
Jailpayments.com
Jpay
NCIC
JailCanteen (Oasis)
Paytel
Pigeonly
Prodigy Sales
Reliance
Securus
Smart Communications
Tiger
Touchpay
How do I send money by mail to an inmate in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility?
To send an inmate money by mail you first have to have the money converted to a money order, preferably from the US Post Office, or a Cashier’s Check. Never send cash, and never send a personal check.
Mail to:
Att: Inmate Deposit
Luzerne County Correctional Facility
99 Water Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
For more specific information call the jail at 570-829-7741 or check out the GETTING OUT money deposit instructions above.
Can I send an inmate money using the internet?
Almost every facility contracts with a company that helps friends and families of inmates send them money. The list can be found above.
To find out who Luzerne County Correctional Facility contracts with for inmate deposits, call them at 570-829-7741 or go to the top of this page for GETTING OUT deposit instructions.
What are considered ‘inmate funds’?
Inmate funds are the cash that an inmate has on themselves when they are booked into jail, plus the money that friends and family add while they are incarcerated. Inmate funds are also known as ‘inmate trust account’, ‘inmate commissary account’, and ‘inmate money account’.
How much money can an inmate have in their account while in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility?
To find out exactly how much the Luzerne County Correctional Facility allows, and what they can spend it on, call the jail at 570-829-7741. This information is subject to change.
How much money can I send an inmate at one time?
Most jails limit the amount that you can send an inmate to $200 at one time. If a money order exceeds $50.00 some jails will hold the money for up to 30 days before releasing it. The quickest way to get money on an inmate’s account is to deposit it either online or over the phone with the GETTING OUT outside vendor that the Luzerne County Correctional Facility works with.
Is it illegal for an inmate in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility to have cash?
It is not illegal for an inmate to have cash, but it is considered contraband and will be confiscated by the Luzerne County Correctional Facility if it is discovered. There could be additional punishment such as the inmate having their phone use or visitation limited. It is unlikely that criminal charges will be levied though.
If an inmate can’t have cash in jail, how do they purchase contraband or gamble?
Inmates are very creative in coming up with alternatives to cash for buying goods and services and taking part in gambling and other recreational activities.
• Some jails use stamps as a form of currency.
• Some use a “unit”, which is basically a candy bar, bag of chips or foil package of tuna.
• Some buy goods and services for a “tray”, which is basically a meal, especially one that contains food that may be in demand, such as “chicken on the bone”.
• Some will trade a service such as legal research, haircutting, jail artwork to send to a loved one.
• Some will agree to clean another’s cell in exchange for a candy bar or some coffee.
Basically, everything and anything can be used for trade instead of cash, but one thing is for certain, in jail, you must pay your debt. If you agree to do something when it comes to owing “money”, and you don’t pay, you may end up with a broken jaw when you least expect it.
What are things inmates use or trade in lieu of cash?
Inmates in jail and prisoners in prisons, in lieu of cash, trade food, meals, haircuts, cell cleaning, legal research, artwork and communication credits (phone, email, etc.).
What kind of food can an inmate purchase on Commissary in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility?
Commissaries carry every type of food imaginable:
• Cookies
• Pastries
• Candy
• Tuna and mackerel
• Coffee
• Tea
• Soft drinks
• Energy drinks
• Pizza
• Hamburgers
• Chicken fingers
• Spices
Some jails have larger selections than others, and some contract with companies that ship in gift packages of products, and even fast food that can be reheated.
Prisons in Canada even have small fast-food outlets that operate within the jail.
What items can inmates purchase in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility?
Besides the food products mentioned above, inmates can purchase on commissary:
• hygiene products like soaps, shampoos and lotions,
• clothing like sweats, t-shirts, hoodies and sneakers,
• stationary supplies
• religious garments
• books
• televisions, radios and headphones
• movie and television programming
• educational courses
Important tips about sending money to an inmate in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility
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 Luzerne County Correctional Facility and ask to investigate. If an inmate is being targeted, most jails 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.