Alaska · commissary guide
Alaska commissary: how to send money and find a facility
Commissary is the store inside a jail or prison where your loved one buys food, hygiene items and stamps with money in their account. Here is how it works in Alaska, with official links and 26 facilities in our directory.
Adding money in Alaska state prisons
Alaska Department of Corrections runs the state prison system. On its official pages, it lists these ways for families to add money to an account:
- Cash, cashier's check, or money order in person at any Alaska DOC institution (photo ID required)
- Cashier's check or money order by mail (no cash by mail)
- Depositor must be on the prisoner's approved visitor list
- Deposits limited to $500 per month unless the Superintendent pre-approves more
Official page on sending money
Commissary rules
- Commissary purchases are paid from the prisoner's trust account
- Packages are accepted only from approved vendors through commissary
County and city jails in Alaska
Each county jail chooses its own commissary and deposit company, so the options can differ from the state prisons. Look for the sheriff's office website, or call the jail before you send money. Our guide on sending money to someone in jail covers the common options.
Finding your loved one
Use the official Alaska inmate locator for state prisons. For a county jail, check that county sheriff's inmate roster.
Questions families ask
How many prisons and jails are in Alaska?
Our directory lists 26 adult facilities in Alaska, including 12 prisons and 12 county or city jails. It is built from public government datasets, so check with the facility for the latest details.
How do I put money on someone's commissary in a Alaska state prison?
Alaska Department of Corrections lists these options: Cash, cashier's check, or money order in person at any Alaska DOC institution (photo ID required); Cashier's check or money order by mail (no cash by mail); Depositor must be on the prisoner's approved visitor list; Deposits limited to $500 per month unless the Superintendent pre-approves more. You will need the person's ID number and facility. Fees and rules can change, so confirm on the official page first.
How do I find someone in a Alaska prison?
Use the Alaska Department of Corrections official inmate locator at https://www.vinelink.com/vinelink/siteInfoAction.do?siteId=2001. County jails keep their own rosters, usually on the sheriff's office website.
Do county jails in Alaska use the same deposit system as state prisons?
Not always. Each county jail picks its own commissary and deposit vendor, so check the sheriff's office website or call the jail before you send money.
Sources
Official pages checked 2026-11-03. Rules change, so confirm with the facility before sending money.