JPay is one of the most widely used ways for families to send money and messages to people in state prisons and many county jails. Owned by Aventiv Technologies (the parent of Securus), JPay handles trust-account deposits, email, photos, VideoGrams, tablet media, and probation/parole payments through jpay.com and the JPay app.
This guide explains what JPay does, how to send money, how JPay email and stamps work, how tablets and VideoGrams fit in, the fees to expect, and how to get help.
Create a free account at jpay.com or in the JPay app, find your state and the incarcerated person by ID, and send money with a debit/credit card — or call 1-800-574-5729. Buy stamps to send email and photos. Confirm your facility actually uses JPay first (some use ViaPath/ConnectNetwork or Access Corrections instead).
JPay is a correctional-services company owned by Aventiv Technologies, the same parent company as Securus. While Securus focuses on phone and video communication, JPay focuses on money, messaging, and media. It contracts with many state departments of corrections and a number of county jails, and it is often the official way to deposit money into an incarcerated person's trust or commissary account.
Which JPay services are available depends entirely on the facility. In one state, JPay may run money transfers, email, and tablets; in another, only money transfers. Always confirm on jpay.com by selecting the state and facility.
Deposits to trust/commissary accounts online, by app, by phone, kiosk, or money order.
Screened electronic messages purchased with stamps.
Attach approved photos to messages for extra stamps.
Short recorded video messages where the facility allows them.
Music, games, and education on JPay tablets, funded through your account.
Probation, parole, and restitution payments where supported.
JPay email runs on stamps — you buy them in advance, and each message costs one or more. Longer messages, photos, and VideoGrams cost additional stamps. Messages are screened by the facility before delivery, so expect a delay rather than instant chat. The incarcerated person reads and replies on a JPay tablet or a facility kiosk.
For a step-by-step walkthrough, see our guide on how to email an inmate.
JPay charges a transaction fee on money transfers that generally rises with the amount sent, and messaging costs stamps. Fees vary by state and facility, so review the total before confirming any payment. To keep costs down and avoid problems:
| Need | Contact |
|---|---|
| Send money / help by phone | 1-800-574-5729 |
| Website & help center | jpay.com |
| App | JPay (iOS & Android) |
| Parent company | Aventiv Technologies |
See also our guides on sending money to an inmate and emailing an inmate.
Beyond deposits and messaging, JPay is often involved at the two ends of an incarceration. On release, some states hand out funds on a JPay release debit card rather than a check — the money the person had in their account is loaded onto a prepaid card they can use immediately. These cards can carry their own fees (for things like ATM withdrawals or inactivity), so if your loved one receives one, help them read the cardholder terms and move the balance to a regular bank account promptly to avoid unnecessary charges.
Timing is worth planning around, too. Online and kiosk deposits often post within a few hours, but the exact window depends on the facility, and money orders take considerably longer because they must be mailed and processed. If you're funding an account before a specific need — commissary day, a phone balance running low, or a tablet purchase — send it early rather than at the last minute. Sending fewer, larger deposits also tends to be more fee-efficient than many small ones, since JPay's transaction fee generally rises in steps with the amount.
If your loved one is transferred or released before money you sent is used, contact JPay support with your confirmation number to ask about options; don't assume the balance simply follows them. And keep a written record of every transaction — the confirmation numbers are what let a support agent locate a deposit, reverse an error, or explain a card charge quickly.
Whichever vendor a facility uses, the first step is always the same: confirm where the person is being held and which company that facility is contracted with. Our free tools help you do exactly that, then point you to the right official account, deposit method, and support line.
