Michigan Jail Commissary Search: Inmate Accounts & Deposit Help

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Michigan inmate account action guide

Michigan Inmate Commissary Deposits: Find the Correct Jail Account and Send Funds Safely

Michigan does not operate one statewide commissary account for every county jail. Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Kent, Washtenaw, Ottawa, Ingham and other counties use different vendors, inmate numbers, deposit limits, ordering schedules and refund procedures.

This guide shows how to confirm where a person is actually held, obtain the correct booking number, distinguish commissary money from phone or tablet funds, choose the approved county deposit method, avoid common payment errors, send an eligible care package, resolve a missing transaction and recover or transfer the balance after release or prison transfer.

Start a commissary deposit Find the county vendor
County-by-county deposit routes Commissary, phone and care-pack differences Official-source workflow
$ $ $
+$50.00
1VERIFY INMATE
2CHOOSE ACCOUNT
3SAVE RECEIPT
Do not deposit until you confirm current custody. A person may have been released, transferred to another county, moved to Michigan Department of Corrections custody or booked under a different number. Deposits made to the wrong person, facility or account type can be difficult—or impossible—to reverse.

Start here: identify the inmate and the correct Michigan jail

A commissary deposit begins with a custody search—not with the payment company. The same name may appear in several county systems, and a vendor may serve hundreds of facilities nationwide.

Step 1

Locate the inmate

Search the sheriff’s official inmate locator for the county where the arrest occurred. Confirm the person is currently in custody.

Step 2

Copy the booking ID

Record the inmate, subject, booking or resident number exactly as displayed. Some counties require a fixed-length booking number.

Step 3

Open the county’s jail page

Use the deposit link provided by the sheriff. Do not choose a vendor merely because it appears in a search advertisement.

Step 4

Select the correct account

Choose inmate trust or commissary funds—not bond, phone, video, tablet, restitution or another payment category.

Find the correct Michigan sheriff

Official directory path› Michigan Sheriffs’ Association county directory ›Select county ›Open sheriff website ›Choose jail or inmate services
  1. Select the county where the person was arrested or is currently housed.
  2. Open the linked sheriff’s website.
  3. Look for “Inmate Lookup,” “Jail,” “Corrections,” “Inmate Services” or “Commissary.”
  4. Confirm the inmate’s current booking before following the money-deposit link.
  5. Call the jail when the county page does not clearly identify the current vendor.

Information to prepare before sending money

  • Inmate’s full legal name
  • Date of birth or approximate age
  • Current Michigan county jail
  • Booking, resident or subject number
  • Housing facility when the county has multiple locations
  • Deposit purpose: commissary, phone, tablet or care package
  • Debit or credit card billing information
  • Depositor’s email and phone number
  • Amount plus expected transaction fee
  • Screenshot or copy of the county’s instructions
  • Confirmation number after payment
  • Jail accounting or vendor support number

Commissary, phone, tablet and care-package accounts are different

One of the most expensive mistakes is funding the wrong service. Money placed in a phone account may not be usable for soap or snacks, and commissary funds normally do not pay bond.

Account or payment Usually pays for Who controls spending Common mistake
Inmate trust / commissary account Approved food, hygiene, stationery, stamps, clothing and other jail-store items. The inmate orders within jail limits and classification rules. Selecting a phone or messaging deposit instead of inmate funds.
Prepaid collect phone account Calls received at a specific approved telephone number. The account holder controls which telephone number receives calls. Assuming the inmate can spend this balance at commissary.
PIN debit or inmate phone balance Calls initiated by the inmate to approved telephone numbers. The inmate generally uses the funded calling balance. Funding a phone wallet when food or hygiene items were needed.
Tablet or messaging credits Messages, photos, entertainment, video or other digital services allowed by the facility. Varies by vendor and service. Believing tablet credits transfer into the commissary account.
Care package A preselected package of approved items purchased directly for the inmate. The sender chooses from the facility-approved catalog. Ordering after the weekly deadline or when the inmate is ineligible.
Bond payment Court-ordered release bond. Processed under jail or court bond instructions. Depositing the bond amount into commissary instead of selecting bond payment.
Account-transfer warning: several Michigan jail systems use separate companies for commissary, phone calls, messages and video visits. Do not assume one vendor can move funds to another account after payment.

Step-by-step Michigan jail commissary deposit process

Use this workflow whether the county accepts online, telephone, lobby-kiosk or mailed deposits.

Confirm current custody

Search the official county roster immediately before depositing. Verify that the inmate is still housed at that jail and has not been released or transferred.

Copy the inmate number exactly

Do not guess a booking number from an old arrest. A person can receive a new booking number after every admission.

Follow the vendor link from the sheriff

County-approved systems include TouchPay, Smart Communications, eXpress Account, JPay and other local vendors. The county page is the safest route to the correct facility profile.

Select Michigan and the exact facility

Check the county name, jail name and facility number. Be careful with counties that share names with jurisdictions in another state.

Match the inmate identity

Confirm the displayed name and inmate ID. Stop when the vendor shows a different middle name, suffix, age or booking number.

Choose inmate funds or commissary

Read every account label. Do not select phone, bond, tablet, video or “mandated payment” unless that is the actual purpose.

Review the amount, limits and fee

County deposit caps and vendor transaction charges vary. The payment screen should show the fee before final confirmation.

Enter accurate depositor information

Use the cardholder’s real billing address, email and phone number. Incorrect billing information can cause rejection or a fraud review.

Save the final receipt

Record the confirmation number, inmate ID, facility, account type, amount, fee, date and payment method. Take a screenshot before leaving the page.

Check posting before paying again

Allow the vendor’s normal processing time. If the balance does not post, contact support with the receipt rather than making a duplicate deposit.

Michigan county jail commissary vendors and deposit instructions

Vendor arrangements can change. Reopen the county page before every new deposit, especially after an inmate transfer or a long gap between payments.

County Current official route Key local rule Jail contact
Wayne TouchPay online or phone; separate JailATM care-package route. Use facility number 248211 and the inmate’s 10-digit booking number. 313-224-0797
Oakland Smart Communications. Select the inmate trust-account deposit, not only a phone or video product. 248-858-1800
Macomb TouchPay, JPay or lobby kiosk. Maximum inmate-account balance is $400; money is not accepted by mail. 586-307-9542
Kent TouchPay, telephone or facility kiosks. $500 per transaction, $1,500 daily and no more than three transactions per day. 616-632-6300
Washtenaw eXpress Account online, phone or lobby kiosk. Use inmate money/accounting for commissary; phone calls use a separate Securus service. 734-973-4770
Ottawa eXpress Account, phone or 24-hour lobby kiosk. Credit-card deposits are limited to $200 per transaction and $300 within 14 days. 616-738-4650
Ingham County commissary menu and online-ordering link. Phone funds and commissary funds are separate; verify the selected service before paying. 517-676-2431
Saginaw eXpress Account, phone, lobby kiosk or properly identified money order. Orders may not process when the inmate is restricted or has an outstanding debt. 866-422-6833 vendor support

Wayne County Jail commissary and inmate account deposits

Wayne County uses TouchPay for inmate-account deposits and a separate JailATM route for approved care packs.

Wayne County TouchPay instructions

Official path› Wayne County Jail Commissary ›Open TouchPay ›Enter facility 248211 ›Enter 10-digit booking number
  1. Search the Wayne County inmate inquiry.
  2. Open the correct booking and copy the 10-digit booking number.
  3. Open the sheriff’s commissary page and follow its TouchPay link.
  4. Select Wayne County’s facility number 248211.
  5. Enter the booking number and confirm the inmate’s displayed identity.
  6. Choose inmate funds, review the fee and save the confirmation.

TouchPay telephone deposits: 866-204-1603.

Wayne County in-person and care-pack options

Lobby kiosks are located on the first floor of the Wayne County Criminal Justice Center Administration Building near the Visitation Center.

Address:
5301 Russell Street
Detroit, MI 48211

Inmate information: 313-224-0797

Approved care packs are ordered through the JailATM link provided on the Wayne County commissary page. Verify the inmate is eligible and still in custody before checkout.

Wayne County mail warning: the current facility information says personal packages, checks and money orders are not accepted. Do not mail money merely because another Michigan county permits it.

Oakland County Jail trust-account deposits

Smart Communications deposit steps

Official path› Oakland County Inmate Information ›Sending Money ›Smart Communications
  1. Confirm the inmate through Oakland County’s official locator.
  2. Open “Sending Money to an Inmate.”
  3. Follow the Smart Communications deposit link.
  4. Create or sign in to the vendor account.
  5. Select Oakland County Jail and the correct inmate.
  6. Choose the trust-account deposit option.
  7. Review the transaction fee and save the receipt.

Macomb County Jail inmate funds, phone accounts and care packages

Macomb is a useful example of why account selection matters: commissary deposits, phone service, tablet activity, messages and care packages use different routes.

Commissary funds

TouchPay

Available online at TouchPay or by phone at 866-232-1899.

Facility locator number: 748043.

Alternative deposit

JPay

Macomb also lists JPay for inmate-fund deposits. Telephone support: 800-574-5729.

In person

Jail lobby kiosk

The lobby kiosk accepts cash or credit-card deposits. Verify the inmate’s identity and account balance before inserting cash.

Macomb deposit checklist

  1. Use the official Macomb inmate locator.
  2. Copy the current inmate number.
  3. Open Macomb Inmate Services.
  4. Choose TouchPay, JPay or the lobby kiosk.
  5. For TouchPay, enter facility locator number 748043.
  6. Do not deposit if the resulting balance would exceed the county’s $400 account maximum.
Macomb service Provider What the funds are for
Inmate funds TouchPay or JPay Commissary and inmate trust-account spending.
Phone calls ICSolutions Telephone calling accounts, billing and voicemail.
Tablet funds ICSolutions Approved tablet activity.
Messages and photos GettingOut Digital messages and approved photographs.
Care package MyCarePack Approved items ordered directly for the inmate.
Macomb limits: no money is accepted by mail, and the inmate account may not contain more than $400 at one time. Inmate-fund questions: 586-307-9542, Monday–Friday, 6 a.m.–2 p.m.
MCJ

Macomb County Jail

43565 Elizabeth Road
Mount Clemens, MI 48043

Sheriff’s Office: 586-469-5151

Kent County commissary limits, indigent kits and account deposits

Kent County commissary rules

  • Inmates may purchase up to $150 per week in food and personal items.
  • Commissary is available in each housing unit at least once per week.
  • New inmates receive a basic admission kit after placement in a housing unit.
  • Pre-arraigned inmates cannot order until assigned to a regular housing unit.
  • Disciplinary-segregation orders are limited to hygiene, paper, envelopes, stamps and writing items.
  • Eligible indigent inmates can receive rotating indigent kits.

Kent County deposit limits

  • Maximum per transaction: $500.
  • Maximum total deposits per day: $1,500.
  • Maximum transactions per day: 3.
  • Transaction fees apply.
  • Electronic kiosks are located in the visitors’ and processing lobbies.
  • Cashier’s checks or money orders may be brought directly to the facility.

Kent County online or telephone deposit

Official path› Kent Inmate Support Services ›Inmate Account Deposits ›TouchPay
  1. Confirm custody through the Kent inmate lookup.
  2. Open the Inmate Support Services page.
  3. Scroll to “Inmate Account Deposits.”
  4. Choose the online TouchPay portal or call 866-232-1899.
  5. Verify the inmate and amount against the published daily limits.
  6. Save the receipt and check posting before repeating the transaction.
KCCF

Kent County Correctional Facility

703 Ball Avenue NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Inmate information: 616-632-6300
Facility: 616-632-6400

Washtenaw, Ottawa, Ingham and Saginaw deposit help

Washtenaw County

eXpress Account deposits

Washtenaw lists eXpress Account for inmate money and accounting.

Route› Money & Accounting ›eXpress Account

Local warning: Securus is listed for telephone calls, so verify that you are using eXpress Account when the goal is commissary money.

Ottawa County

Weekly commissary and account caps

Eligible inmates may receive commissary once each week and may order up to $125.

Orders submitted after the weekly vendor deadline are deferred to the following week.

Ingham County

Commissary menu and online ordering

Use the county corrections page to reach its current commissary deposit and ordering system.

Route› Ingham County Jail ›Commissary Deposit ›Select Ingham County

Ingham County Jail
630 N. Cedar Street
Mason, MI 48854
Sheriff: 517-676-2431

Local warning: money deposited for Smart Communications phone time cannot be assumed to transfer into the commissary account.

Saginaw County

eXpress Account, kiosk and money order

Saginaw permits deposits and commissary orders through eXpress Account or by phone at 866-422-6833.

  • A 24-hour lobby kiosk accepts cash and cards.
  • Money orders may be dropped in the jail’s red deposit box or mailed as directed.
  • Place the inmate’s name and IB number in the memo section.
  • Orders may not process if the inmate is restricted or owes an outstanding debt.

Saginaw County Jail
311 S. Harrison Street
Saginaw, MI 48602

How Michigan jail care packages differ from commissary deposits

A care package is a direct purchase of approved products. A trust-account deposit gives the inmate funds to place their own order, subject to jail rules.

1

Confirm package eligibility

An inmate may be in intake, segregation, restriction, debt status or another classification that limits the available catalog.

2

Check the weekly deadline

Packages submitted after the vendor cutoff may move to the next delivery cycle.

3

Review duplicate-order limits

Some facilities combine inmate and family purchases under one weekly spending cap.

County Care-package route Important local condition
Wayne JailATM link on the sheriff’s commissary page. Use the current booking number and confirm the inmate remains eligible.
Macomb MyCarePack. Care packages are separate from TouchPay, JPay, phone and tablet deposits.
Kent iCare Gifts. Family and friends may order up to $150 weekly; available package choices can be limited when the inmate owes a balance.
Ottawa Canteen Services or eXpress Account. Weekly maximum is $125; late orders move to the next week.
Do not mail snacks, toiletries or store-bought packages directly. County jails normally accept only items and vendors authorized by their current mail and commissary policies.

What if the inmate has no money for hygiene or mail?

Ask about an indigent kit

Michigan county jails commonly provide limited hygiene and writing materials to inmates who meet the facility’s indigency standard. The inmate normally requests the kit through the housing unit, kiosk or written request process.

Kent County publishes a rotating indigent-kit schedule containing writing material, hygiene items, stationery and a stamped envelope. Ottawa County states that an indigent kit is available when the trust-account balance is below $5, although a charge may be collected later when funds become available.

Do not delay urgent medical help

Commissary is not the correct route for prescription medication, dangerous withdrawal, self-harm risk or a medical emergency. Contact the jail’s medical-information route or inmate-information line directly.

Do not mail medication or bring it to the lobby unless jail medical staff specifically instruct you to do so.

Why the available balance may be lower than the amount deposited

A successful payment receipt does not guarantee that the entire amount will be available for immediate commissary spending.

Transaction fee

The vendor may charge the sender a processing fee in addition to the deposit amount.

Existing inmate debt

Some jails deduct unpaid intake kits, medical costs, housing charges, restitution or other authorized obligations from incoming funds.

Pending commissary order

The inmate may already have placed an order that reduced the visible available balance.

Account hold

A fraud review, identification problem or administrative restriction can delay the funds.

Wrong account type

The payment may have posted to phone, tablet, video or another service instead of inmate trust funds.

Release or transfer processing

The account may be closing, converting to a release payment or awaiting transfer instructions.

What to do when a commissary deposit does not appear

Check the payment status

Determine whether the vendor shows completed, pending, rejected, reversed or refunded.

Confirm the facility and inmate number

Compare the receipt with the current sheriff roster. Look for a wrong county, old booking number or similar name.

Confirm the account type

Check whether the receipt says trust, commissary, phone, PIN debit, prepaid collect, tablet, video or bond.

Ask the inmate to review the account

The inmate may be able to view deposits, charges and available balance through a housing kiosk or account statement.

Contact vendor support

Provide the confirmation number, date, amount, cardholder name, last four payment digits, inmate ID and facility.

Contact jail accounting when the vendor confirms delivery

Ask whether the payment was applied to debt, held, posted under another booking or converted during release processing.

Avoid duplicate deposits

Do not repeat the payment until support determines what happened to the first transaction.

“I made an inmate trust-account deposit for [name], booking number [number], at [county jail] on [date]. The confirmation number is [number], and the amount was $[amount] plus the fee. Please confirm the selected account type, whether the transaction reached the facility, and whether it was posted, held, rejected or applied to an existing obligation.”

What to do after sending money to the wrong inmate or account

Act immediately. Some county instructions state that deposited funds become the inmate’s property. Once funds are posted or spent, the depositor may not have a right to reverse the transaction.
  1. Do not make another payment until the first transaction is reviewed.
  2. Call the vendor using the number shown on the receipt.
  3. Ask whether the transaction is still pending and can be stopped.
  4. Provide the correct and incorrect inmate information.
  5. Contact jail accounting when the vendor says funds were already delivered.
  6. Request a written case or ticket number.
  7. Do not file a bank chargeback before asking how it may affect the inmate or vendor account.
  8. Keep screenshots, emails, call times and representative names.

What happens to commissary money after release or transfer?

Released from jail

Remaining trust balance

The county may issue the inmate a debit card, check or another approved release payment after deductions and account closure. Ottawa County states that a remaining balance is paid to the inmate on a debit card at release.

Transferred to another county

Do not assume an automatic transfer

Ask both jails whether funds are transferred, returned to the inmate at movement or closed through a later payment. The receiving jail may use an entirely different vendor.

Sent to MDOC

County account becomes the wrong route

After transfer to a Michigan prison, use the Michigan Department of Corrections prisoner-money process rather than continuing to deposit through the county jail vendor.

Michigan prison-transfer deposit steps

Official MDOC path› Send a Prisoner Goods or Money ›Confirm prisoner number ›Choose approved GTL method
  1. Confirm the person is now in MDOC custody through the official offender search.
  2. Obtain the MDOC prisoner number.
  3. Open the MDOC money page instead of the former county page.
  4. Use ConnectNetwork, the approved telephone process, facility kiosk or GTL money-order lockbox described by MDOC.
  5. Do not use Cash App, Apple Pay, Zelle, PayPal or Venmo for an MDOC prisoner deposit.
  6. MDOC currently limits an individual deposit to $300.
Care-package pickup issue: Ottawa County states that commissary orders not picked up within seven days after release become county property. Check release timing before placing an order for someone who may leave custody soon.

Avoid Michigan inmate-money scams

Fake emergency request

A caller claims an inmate needs immediate money for release, medical care or protection. Call the jail independently before paying.

Cash-transfer app request

A message asks for Zelle, Cash App, cryptocurrency, gift cards or another unapproved payment route.

Sponsored search result

A website imitates a sheriff or vendor and charges for a deposit that never reaches the jail.

Wrong-state facility

The sender selects a county with the same name in another state.

Social-media inmate account

A person claims to be the inmate or an employee and sends an unofficial payment handle.

Bond disguised as commissary

A scammer says depositing into a trust account will trigger release. Bond must follow the jail or court’s official bond instructions.

Macomb County warning: the Sheriff’s Office states that it does not call demanding fees, gift cards, bitcoin or other telephone payment. Hang up and call the published sheriff number whenever a request feels suspicious.

Michigan jail commissary contacts and addresses

WAYNE

Wayne County Criminal Justice Center

5301 Russell Street, Detroit, MI 48211
Inmate information: 313-224-0797
TouchPay: 866-204-1603

OAK

Oakland County Sheriff’s Office

1200 N. Telegraph Road, Building 38E, Pontiac, MI 48341
Inmate information: 248-858-1800
Smart support: 888-253-5178

KENT

Kent County Correctional Facility

703 Ball Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Inmate information: 616-632-6300
TouchPay phone: 866-232-1899

WASH

Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office

2201 Hogback Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Sheriff’s Office: 734-971-8400
Inmate information: 734-973-4770

Find a Michigan county jail on the map

Use the map to identify a possible facility location, then verify custody and deposit instructions through the county sheriff. Do not send money based only on a map listing or business-profile telephone number.

Common Michigan commissary deposit mistakes

Using an old booking number

A new arrest can create a new inmate or booking ID even for the same person.

Selecting the wrong county

The home county and arrest county may be different.

Funding phone instead of commissary

Separate accounts often cannot be transferred after payment.

Ignoring the account maximum

Macomb limits the maintained balance to $400, while other counties publish different caps.

Ordering after the cutoff

The package may be delayed to the next weekly cycle.

Depositing before release

The inmate may leave custody before the money or package can be used.

Mailing money to a no-mail jail

Wayne and Macomb publish restrictions that differ from counties accepting certain money orders.

Paying twice when funds are pending

Contact support with the first confirmation number before repeating the payment.

Continuing after an MDOC transfer

Once transferred to state prison, use the MDOC-approved prisoner-money process.

10 essential answers about Michigan jail commissary

These ten answers cover the most important inmate-search, account, deposit, care-package and refund questions.

1. Is there one statewide Michigan jail commissary website?
No. Michigan county jails independently select their deposit and commissary vendors. You must first identify the current county jail, then follow the deposit link published by that sheriff’s office.
2. What information do I need to send money to a Michigan inmate?
Prepare the inmate’s full legal name, current county jail, booking or resident number, and the correct account type. Online and telephone deposits also require the depositor’s billing, contact and payment information.
3. Is commissary money the same as phone money?
Usually not. Commissary or trust-account funds pay for approved jail-store items. Prepaid collect, PIN debit, tablet, messaging and video balances are commonly separate and may use different vendors.
4. How long does a Michigan jail deposit take to appear?
Electronic deposits may post quickly, but fraud reviews, booking changes, facility processing, weekends, transfers and account holds can cause delays. Save the confirmation and contact the vendor before making a duplicate payment.
5. Can I send a money order to a Michigan county jail?
It depends on the county. Wayne and Macomb publish restrictions against mailed money, while Kent permits certain cashier’s checks or money orders to be brought to the facility and Saginaw provides a money-order process. Always check the exact jail’s current instructions.
6. How much can a Michigan jail inmate spend on commissary?
The amount varies by county and classification. Kent permits up to $150 per week, while Ottawa publishes a $125 weekly maximum. Intake, segregation, debt or disciplinary status can reduce the items or amount available.
7. Can I get a refund after depositing into the wrong account?
A refund is not guaranteed. Contact the vendor immediately while the transaction is pending. Some counties state that deposited money becomes the inmate’s property, making reversal difficult after the funds post or are spent.
8. What happens to commissary money when the inmate is released?
The jail usually closes the trust account and pays the remaining eligible balance to the inmate by debit card, check or another release method after authorized deductions. The original depositor normally does not receive the balance automatically.
9. Can commissary money pay an inmate’s bond?
Not normally. Bond is a separate court or jail transaction. Depositing a bond amount into the trust account does not automatically release the inmate. Follow the official bond-payment instructions and select the bond option.
10. What do I do when an inmate moves from county jail to a Michigan prison?
Stop using the county jail deposit route. Confirm MDOC custody and the prisoner number, then use the Michigan Department of Corrections approved GTL or ConnectNetwork money process. County and state-prison accounts use different systems.

Official Michigan commissary and inmate-account resources

Accuracy and payment notice: This page is an inmate-account navigation and family assistance guide, not a payment processor or legal service. County vendors, transaction fees, deposit limits, commissary schedules, package catalogs, account deductions and refund policies can change. Verify current custody, booking number, facility and account type through the sheriff’s official website before paying. Deposited funds may become the inmate’s property and may be subject to authorized debts or deductions.

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