How Can Family and Friends Transfer Funds to an Inmate in Canada?

Federal vs Provincial: Which System Applies?

In Canada, federal penitentiaries are managed by Correctional Service Canada (CSC) and house inmates sentenced to two years or more. Provincial and territorial correctional facilities hold those on remand (awaiting trial) or serving sentences under two years. This distinction matters because each system has different deposit procedures, account structures, and approved third-party services.

Simple way to remember it: awaiting trial or sentenced to less than two years? That’s provincial or territorial. Sentenced to two years or longer? Federal penitentiary operated by CSC.

How Inmate Accounts Work

Your money goes into an inmate trust account. The correctional facility manages this account on behalf of the person in custody. It allows them to make purchases while incarcerated.

Federal Institutions (CSC)

Federal penitentiaries split each inmate’s Inmate Trust Fund into two accounts:

• Current Account: Day-to-day purchases like commissary items, phone cards, and personal items
• Savings Account: Where all outside deposits land first. Under Commissioner’s Directive 860, transfers to the current account are limited to $850 annually across four transfers per year.

Provincial Institutions

Provincial jails keep things simpler with a single trust account. In Ontario, inmates can spend up to $60 per week on canteen items. Keep deposits around $200.

Online Deposits (Fastest Method)

Online deposits through approved services like SynergyDeposits.ca or Interac e-Transfer get funds to your loved one within 24-48 hours.

Available online platforms:

• SynergyDeposits.ca: Officially supported at many Canadian facilities, accepts Interac and PayPal
• InmatePhones.ca: Operated by Synergy, offers credit card, Interac, and PayPal options
• GettingOut: Available at some facilities for trust account and commissary deposits

Yes, online services charge a processing fee. But if you can’t visit in person, the convenience and speed make it worthwhile.

In-Person Deposits at the Facility

Prefer to deposit funds directly? Most correctional facilities accept in-person deposits during regular hours. And here’s something people don’t always realize: making a deposit does NOT count against your loved one’s visiting allotment.

Two options for in-person deposits:

• Lobby Kiosk: Many facilities have kiosks accepting cash, credit cards, and debit cards. You’ll pay a processing fee and get a confirmation receipt.
• Front Desk Deposit: Staff at the front desk accept cash or money orders directly. Often no service charge here.

Bring government-issued photo ID. You’ll need the inmate’s full legal name and ideally their identification number (ORCA number in Alberta, FPS number in federal facilities).

Money Orders by Mail

Mailing a money order still works, though it takes longer. In federal institutions, mailed funds sit on a hold period of 10 working days for Canadian payments or 30 working days for foreign ones.

To mail a money order:

1. Purchase one from Canada Post or your bank
2. Write the inmate’s full name and identification number on the money order
3. Mail it to the institution’s address, care of the inmate’s name
4. Use tracking or priority mail for proof of delivery

Personal cheques work but the facility may hold them longer. Never mail cash. It will be confiscated or returned.

Wire Transfers (MoneyGram)

MoneyGram is another option. Send money at any MoneyGram location (many Canada Post outlets and retail stores have them), then call Synergy at 1-866-713-4761 (or 844-369-7776 for British Columbia facilities) to apply the transfer to the inmate’s account.

Online via Synergy or Interac

Step 1: Visit SynergyDeposits.ca on your computer or phone.

Step 2: Select your payment method: Interac e-Transfer or PayPal.

Step 3: Enter the correctional facility name and the inmate’s full legal name and ID number.

Step 4: Enter your deposit amount. Review the total, including any processing fees.

Step 5: Complete the secure payment. You’ll receive a confirmation number and email receipt.

Step 6: The facility will verify and accept the deposit within 1-3 business days. The inmate has access to funds once processed.

For phone deposits, call 1-866-713-4761 (or 844-369-7776 for BC) with your credit card information ready. Bilingual operators are available 24/7.

In-Person at a Kiosk or Front Desk

Step 1: Visit the correctional facility during regular operating hours. Check their website or call ahead to confirm hours and requirements.

Step 2: Bring government-issued photo ID and the inmate’s full name and ID number.

Step 3: At a lobby kiosk: Select the inmate’s name or enter their information, choose your deposit amount, and pay with cash, debit, or credit card. Collect your printed receipt.

Step 4: At the front desk: Provide the inmate’s information to staff, hand over cash or a money order, and request a receipt.

Step 5: Funds deposited at the front desk may be available same-day or next day. Kiosk deposits may take up to 72 hours to become active in the trust account.

Mailing a Money Order

Step 1: Purchase a money order from Canada Post, a bank, or an approved financial institution. Avoid sending cash or personal cheques if you need speed.

Step 2: On the money order, clearly write the inmate’s full legal name and identification number.

Step 3: Address the envelope to the correctional institution, with the inmate’s name on a separate line:

[Inmate Full Name] C/O [Institution Name] [Institution Address] [City, Province, Postal Code]

Step 4: Use Canada Post Priority or tracked mail for proof of delivery.

Step 5: The institution will process the money order and place a hold of 10 working days (Canadian payments) or 30 working days (foreign payments) before funds become available.

When Will the Inmate Receive the Money?

For mailed deposits, send funds at least 30-45 days before your loved one needs them. That accounts for mail delivery plus the hold period.

Why Funds May Be Held Longer

Under Commissioner’s Directive 860, CSC may extend the hold period or investigate deposits in certain circumstances. If there are reasonable grounds to suspect the money involves unauthorized or illegal activities, the Security Intelligence Officer will investigate and determine whether police should be contacted. During this investigation, funds remain on hold.

Deposits over $500 get extra scrutiny. Keep deposits at reasonable amounts that match the inmate’s spending limits.

The Verifiable Legitimate Relationship Requirement

To send money to an inmate in a federal institution, CSC requires a verifiable legitimate relationship between the sender and the inmate. This means the institution must be able to determine that you are a justified source of support, such as a family member, friend, or other person with a genuine connection to the inmate.

If CSC cannot verify the relationship, funds get returned. This exists to prevent money laundering and unauthorized financial activity. Immediate family members, extended family (particularly for Indigenous offenders), and close personal friends who can demonstrate a longstanding relationship meet this requirement.

Weekly and Annual Spending Limits

Inmates cannot spend unlimited amounts. This affects how much you should deposit.

Provincial (Ontario): Weekly spending limit is $60 per week on canteen items. Keep deposits around $200. Larger amounts simply accumulate without immediate use. See the facility-specific guidelines below for exact limits at major Ontario detention centres.

Federal (CSC): Maximum canteen purchase is $120 per pay period (two weeks). Transfers from savings account to current account are limited to $850 annually across a maximum of four transfers.

Deposit Fees

Most electronic and kiosk deposits charge processing fees. Front desk cash deposits are often free.

Metro West Detention Centre

Accepted payment methods: Cash or money order only

Deposit options: Can be mailed or given to the clerk in person

Deposit limit: Limit for in person deposit is $100 cash. 

Weekly spending limit: Inmates can spend $60 per week

Metro East Detention Centre and Maplehurst

Accepted payment methods: Cash or money order only

Processing time: Deposits take 24 hours to process

Mail deposits: Money orders only. Cash is not accepted by mail. Cheques not accepted in person. 

Recommended deposit: Not more than $200, since inmates can only spend $60 per week

Weekly spending limit: $60 per week

Hamilton Detention Centre

In-person deposits: Cash or money orders accepted

Mail deposits: Cash is not accepted by mail

Recommended deposit: $60 per deposit

Weekly spending limit: $60 per week 

Vanier Centre for Women

Accepted payment methods: Cash or money order only

Deposit limit: Up to $80 in cash or money order (in person) 

Mail deposits: Cash is not accepted by mail

How to deposit: Funds must be given to the clerk on duty during visiting hours

Weekly spending limit: $60 per week

Can Anyone Send Money to an Inmate?

Not exactly. In federal institutions, CSC requires a verifiable legitimate relationship between the sender and the inmate. Family members, close friends, and others with a clear connection qualify. If the institution cannot verify this relationship, funds will be returned. Provincial facilities have similar requirements, though verification processes may vary.

What If I Don’t Know the Inmate’s ID Number?

Contact the correctional facility directly. For provincial facilities, call the institution’s main line. For federal institutions, you can contact the CSC regional headquarters, which can help locate the inmate and provide necessary information. They won’t disclose the inmate’s location to unverified callers. The inmate can also provide their ID number during a phone call or through correspondence.

Why Was My Deposit Returned?

Deposits are most commonly returned when the institution cannot verify a legitimate relationship between you and the inmate, or when the funds raise security concerns. Other reasons include incorrect inmate information (wrong name or ID), the inmate having been transferred or released, or amounts exceeding institutional limits. Contact the institution or service provider to determine the specific reason and how to resolve it.

What Happens If the Inmate Is Transferred?

When an inmate is transferred to another institution, all money from their current and savings accounts transfers with them. You may need to update the facility information for future deposits. For ongoing transfers, verify the inmate’s new location before sending additional funds.

Is There a Maximum Amount I Can Send?

There’s no strict legal maximum in most cases, but deposits over $500 may trigger extended hold periods and security review. Keeping deposits around $200 or less, aligned with the inmate’s spending limits, reduces scrutiny and ensures funds are available when needed. Very large deposits without explanation may be referred to the Security Intelligence Officer for investigation.