How can Family and Friends Transfer Funds to an Inmate?
Prisons in Ontario have very similar guidelines for funds being transferred to inmates, however they do differ slightly. If you are going to deposit funds to an inmate’s account you must do so with cash or a money order. If you are transferring funds in person you must do so at the detention center the inmate is incarcerated at. You may transfer funds when you come to visit or you may come in during regular visiting hours to ensure there is a clerk at the front desk. If you come during those hours and only transfer funds and do not visit the inmate this is NOT counted as one of the inmate’s visits for the week.
Prison Commissary Funds Guidelines in Ontario
Listed below are a few examples of commissary funds guidelines for prisons in Ontario.
Metro West Detention Centre
Transfer of funds requirements and guidelines:
– Cash or money order only, can be mailed or given to the clerk
– No limit to the amount of funds that can be deposited but inmates can only use $60.00 a week
Metro East Detention Centre and Maplehurst
Transfer of funds requirements and guidelines:
– Cash or money order only is accepted
– Funds that are deposited on inmate’s accounts will take 24 hours to process
– When sending by mail only money orders are accepted
– Would prefer that deposits are not more than $200.00 dollars as inmates can only spend $60 a week
Hamilton Detention Centre
Transfer of funds requirements and guidelines
– In-person, they accept cash or money orders
– Cash is not accepted by mail
– Would prefer that deposits be limited to $60.00 dollars per deposit
– Inmates may spend up to $110.00 per week
Vanier Centre for Women
Transfer of funds requirements and guidelines
– Cash or money order accepted only
– No limit for deposits but inmates can only spend $80.00 dollars per week.
– Cash is not accepted by mail
– Funds to be given to the clerk on duty during visiting hours
Jonathan Pyzer, B.A., L.L.B., is an experienced criminal defence lawyer and distinguished alumnus of McGill University and the University of Western Ontario. As the founder of Pyzer Criminal Lawyers, he brings over two decades of experience to his practice, having successfully represented hundreds of clients facing criminal charges throughout Toronto.
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