Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center Sending Money

Search for an Inmate in Hamilton County

Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center

Address:
7609 Standifer Gap Road
Chattanooga, TN 37421

Phone:

423-892-0921

Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center

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 Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center use correctpay.

2. If you prefer to use your credit or debit card and deposit money over the phone, you can call them at 855-836-3364.

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 Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center.

4. The Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center 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 Hamilton 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 423-892-0921.

*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 Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center has a reception desk that may accept cash, money orders or cashier checks. Call 423-892-0921 to find out the specific hours for drop off times.

How to put money on an inmate's books at Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center

Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center uses the services of correctpay.com (aka JailFunds & VendEngine) for you to deposit money into an inmate’s account.
 


 

You can deposit money four ways:

Cost to Send Money

To deposit between $1.00 and $300.00 the fee ranges from $1.50-$2.95, plus an additional 5%. *Rates are subject to change.

Examples:  

  • Deposit $100.00, your fee will be as high as $7.95 - Your inmate will receive $92.05.
  • Deposit $300.00, your fee will be as high as $17.95 - Your inmate will receive $282.05.

correctpay.com Help
24/7 Customer Service - 855-836-3364
Frequently Asked Questions

Send Money Online to an Inmate in the Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center

How do I send an inmate money?

Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center has its own methods for receiving money for inmates, and that information can be found above or by calling 423-892-0921 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. The Money order should be be made out to either the inmate or the facility, with 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.    Deposit cash or use a debit or credit card to send an inmate money using an ATM machine that is usually located in the lobby or visitation area of the facility.

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 inmate deposits online, by mail or over the phone, or even in ATM machines 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 Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center, this information will be outlined above.

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 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
Tennessee Business Enterprise
Tiger
Touchpay

How do I send an inmate money by mail?

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.
To find the address for sending money to an inmate, call the jail at 423-892-0921.

Can I send an inmate money online?

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 Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center contracts with for inmate deposits, call them at 423-892-0921.

How do I send money to someone in the United States Bureau of Prisons?

There are several ways to send money to an inmate into United States Bureau of Prisons.

There are three ways to deposit money in an inmate's account in the Federal Bureau of Prisons:

  • Moneygram
  • Western Union Online Deposits
  • United States Postal Service - Mailing a Payment

In order to do any of these you need to know the exact name the inmate is incarcerated under, and their Inmate ID# (aka Register Number)

If you can't find the inmate and Register Number online, use the online contact form to request help.



1.  Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center and Moneygram

You can send an inmate funds electronically using MoneyGram's ExpressPayment Program.

You can send money either online or at a Moneygram location.

 - Funds are received and processed seven days per week, including holidays.
 - Funds sent between 7:00AM - 9:00PM EST are posted within 2 to 4 hours.
 - Funds sent after 9:00PM EST are posted at 7:00AM EST the following morning.

 - If you have any questions you may contact BOP staff at 202-307-2712 between 8:00AM and 4:30PM EST.

NOTE:  Do not send money until the inmate has actually arrived to the facility he has been assigned.  At that point you can locate their location online.


Sending a Moneygram online

Please visit https://www.moneygram.com/mgo/us/en/paybills, and enter the receive code 7932 or Federal Bureau of Prisons

First time users will have to set up a profile and account.

A MasterCard or Visa credit card is required.

The maximum you can send is $300 at a time.


Sending a Moneygram from a Location

Locate the nearest agent by calling 800-926-9400 or finding a location online.

You'll need to complete a MoneyGram ExpressPayment Blue Form.

You can pay with cash or credit/debit Mastercard or Visa.


 

2.  Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center and Western Union.

 - First, you need to know the exact spelling of the inmate's name and inmates ID #
 
NOTE:  Do not send money until the inmate has actually arrived to the facility he has been assigned.  At that point you can locate their location online.

Sending a Western Union payment online

You need to know these codes. 
Codes:
Code City: FBOP, DC
State: DC
Senders Account #: Inmate's eight-digit register number with no spaces or dashes, followed immediately by the inmate's last name (example: 12345678DOE)
Attention: Inmate's full committed name

  • Type in and select FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISON, then follow Western Union's instructions.
  • For questions, concerns or to add funds via Western Union over the phone, call 800-325-6000.

 

Sending a Western Union payment from a location

Western Union Facilities
Deposit funds in-person at Western Union

Codes:
Code City: FBOP, DC
State: DC
Senders Account #: Inmate's eight-digit register number with no spaces or dashes, followed immediately by the inmate's last name (example: 12345678DOE)
Attention: Inmate's full committed name

If you have any questions you may contact BOP staff at 202-307-2712 between 8:00AM and 4:30PM EST.



3.  Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center and Mailing a Payment

 - First, you need to know the exact spelling of the inmate's name and inmates ID #
 
NOTE:  Do not send money until the inmate has actually arrived to the facility he has been assigned.  At that point you can locate their location online.



When sending an inmate money by mail, the Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center will only accept:

  • US Postal Money Orders

**Important Notes**

 - Obtain a money order and include both the inmate's:
 - Full committed name AND complete eight-digit register number on the money order.

 - Non-postal money orders and non-government checks will be placed on a 15-day hold.
 - If you have any questions you may contact BOP staff at 202-307-2712 between 8:00AM and 4:30PM EST.

Make sure your full name and return address is on the envelope.

Address the Money Order to:

Federal Bureau of Prisons
Insert Valid Committed Inmate Name
Insert Inmate Eight-Digit Register Number
Post Office Box 474701
Des Moines, Iowa 50947-0001

What are 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?

Typically, most jails allow an innate spend no more than $300-400 per month on snacks and hygiene products, with another $300 spent on phone calls and other communication services. Some jails limit the amount an inmate can spend on snacks to as low as $100 per month, but that is rare.

To find out how much the Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center allows, call the jail at 423-892-0921.

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 outside vendor the jail works with.

Is it illegal for an inmate to have cash?

It is not illegal for an inmate to have cash, but it is considered contraband and will be confiscated by the Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center if it is discovered. There could be additional punishment such as phone or visitation limited.  It is unlikely that criminal charges will be levied though.

If an inmate can’t have cash in jail or prison, 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 prisoners 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?

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 food, 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 jail and prison? 

Besides the food products mentioned above, inmates can purchase:

•    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

Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center Inmate Deposit Instructions

You can deposit money four different ways:

correctpay.com Assistance:

24/7 Customer Service - 855-836-3364
Frequently Asked Questions

Commissary Packages at Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center

Commissary Package (pre-made Care Packs) companies work with correctpay.com to deliver items directly to the inmate, but not all facilities jails take part in it.

You can either check to see if Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center takes part in this by checking here, or by calling their 24/7 Customer Service at 855-836-3364.
Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Maximum Amount You Can Add to an Inmate's Account?

Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center uses an outside vendor called correctpay.com (aka JailFunds & VendEngine) to deposit money to your inmate's account.

Deposits of up to $300.00 are allowed by jailfunds.com, although Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center may at times limit the maximum deposit to as low as $200.00.

What Can An Inmate purchase in Commissary at Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center

correctpay.com (aka JailFunds) is the Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center's outside vendor for depositing money for your inmate's Commissary Items. 

Here is a sample of what your inmate can purchase:

Food

Hygiene

Apparel

Electronics

*NOTE* -- Once you are fully registered with correctpay.com, and have selected the inmate you wish to send money to, you will receive instuctions on how much you can deposit, and how often you can send commissary money.

Who can Purchase Commissary for Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center Inmates?

Anybody can contribute to an inmate's 'books' or commissary fund as long as there isn't a no-contact order in place.

Because of the ability for family members and friends to deposit money online using a credit or debit card at correctpay.com, inmates at Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center can now receive funds from anywhere in the world.

 

Why Do Inmates in Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center need Commissary?

Since inmates are not allowed to possess cash money while in custody in the Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center, the jail maintains a 'bank account' for the inmate to purchase products and services from their commissary (canteen) store.

Commissary funds allow inmates to purchase items such as personal hygiene products, snacks and stationery supplies from the jail store.

Inmates can use money from their account to purchase phone time credits or prepaid phone cards in order to make outside phone calls to friends and family members.

Medical Co-Pays and other Inmate Needs for Money

Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center may on occasion debit (charge) an inmate's commissary accounts for medical visits, any medications including over-the-counter pain reliever, jail stay fees, restitution, etc.

Taking this into consideration when deciding how much to deposit will ensure the inmate gets the amount you wanted him to have, after these things are deducted.

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 Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center 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.

How to Send Commissary Money to an Inmate in Hamilton County

To send commissary money to an inmate's account in Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center follow these steps:

You can deposit money four different ways:

  • Deposit online at correctpay.com.
  • Deposit at the VendEngine kiosk in the Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center lobby.
  • Deposit over the phone 24/7 at 855-836-3364
  • Deposit through their iOS or Android app.

24/7 Customer Service - 855-836-3364
Frequently Asked Questions

For all information, tips and available items for send money and for shipping Commissary packages to an inmate in Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Hamilton County.


 

Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center Inmate Mail Guidelines

Postcards
The Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature.

Envelopes
The Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates.

Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center
PO Box 645
Lebanon, MO 65336



Legal Mail

Send all legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Silverdale Detention Center
7609 Standifer Gap Road
Chattanooga, TN 37421



Newspapers
Local or national newspapers may also be mailed to the inmate as long as they are mailed directly from the newspaper publisher.

Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.

Books
The Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as AmazonBarnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address below.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center standards will be disposed of. No more than three books may be shipped at any one time.
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.


All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Silverdale Detention Center
7609 Standifer Gap Road
Chattanooga, TN 37421


 

How to Rent a Tablet for an Inmate in Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center

To rent a tablet for an inmate in Hamilton County follow these instructions:

  • Register here.  It is recommended you use Chrome or Firefox.
  • Pay for the subscription using Paypal.
  • You get charged the 1st of each month. 
  • You get charged a full month even if it's only used for a partial month.
  • No activation or early termination fees.
  • Your Hamilton County inmate will recieve their tablet in 3-5 business days, after you pay.


If you have any questions:

For all Hamilton County information on Tablet Rentals for your inmate, check out our Tablet Rental Page.


 

Postcards
The Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature.

Envelopes
The Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center also allows regular postcards and envelopes to be mailed to inmates as well.

Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center
PO Box 645
Lebanon, MO 65336


Newspapers
Local or national newspapers may also be mailed to the inmate as long as they are mailed directly from the newspaper publisher.

Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.

Books
The Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as AmazonBarnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address above.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center standards will be disposed of. No more than three books may be shipped at any one time.
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.


All mail, newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Silverdale Detention Center
7609 Standifer Gap Road
Chattanooga, TN 37421


 

How to Send a Text or Email Message to an Inmate in Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center

To send a text or email message to a Hamilton County inmate, do the following:

Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center uses Securus eMessaging for Inmate Email.

Register here. (You are already registered if you signed up with Securus for 'Phone' or 'Remote Visitation' in Hamilton County or any jail or prison in the country).
Steps: 
1.  Sign up for eMessaging
2. Find your Hamilton County inmate.
3. Purchase a book of Securus ‘stamps’.
4. Type & Send message.

For all Hamilton County information for sending secure messages to an inmate in Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center, including instructions, video examples, fees, limits, tablet rentals and more, check out out Text/Email an Inmate Page.


 

How an Inmate Makes a Phone Call to You or Others from Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center

To set up a phone account so that your inmate can call you from Hamilton County do the following:

1. Enroll in an account with Securus Technologies.

2. Choose one of three account types, Securus Debit, Advance Connect or Direct Bill.
3. Choose [facility_name_1}, then connect with your inmate.
4. If you have any questions, call Securus: 972-734-1111 or 800-844-6591.

To find out fees, how to's, calling times, limits on phone calls and other systems Securus has do that you can communicate with your Hamilton County inmate, check out our Inmate Phone Page.
NOTE: All of your inmate's phone calls are recorded and stored. It is advised not to discuss their pending case.


 

How to Schedule and Visit an Inmate in Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center

To schedule and set up a visit, either at-the-jail or remotely from your home, follow these instructions:

  • Register and/or log in.
  • Select Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center, then your inmate.
  • Review the days, available hours and the cost of remote and on-site visits in Hamilton County.
  • Schedule your visit.

To get more complete instructions, and understand visit lengths, times, locations, fees and all the other rules including children, dress codes and more, check out or Visit Inmate Page.
NOTE: All visits are recorded and whatever you say and do will be monitored. It is best to never discuss sensitive information regarding your inmate's pending case.


 

How to Send Money to an Inmate in Hamilton County

To send commissary money to an inmate in Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center follow these steps:

  • Register with correctpay by creating an account.
  • Select Tennessee, then select Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center, and then the inmate you want to send money to.
  • Choose the amount of money you want to send, and input your payment method.
  • You can deposit money four ways:
  • Deposit online at correctpay.com.
  • Deposit at the VendEngine kiosk in the Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center lobby.
  • Deposit over the phone 24/7 at 855-836-3364
  • Deposit through their iOS or Android app.

For all information on how to Send Money to an inmate's account, what the fees are, how long it takes to hit their account and more, check out our full money and commissary guide for Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center.


 

Photos of this facility
1 / 9
2 / 9
Silverdale Correctional Facility located in Chattanooga TN (Tennessee) 2
3 / 9
Silverdale Correctional Facility located in Chattanooga TN (Tennessee) 3
4 / 9
Silverdale Correctional Facility located in Chattanooga TN (Tennessee) 4
5 / 9
Silverdale Correctional Facility located in Chattanooga TN (Tennessee) 5
6 / 9
7 / 9
Silverdale Correctional Facility located in Chattanooga TN (Tennessee) 1
8 / 9
9 / 9

Search for an Inmate in Hamilton County