Massachusetts · commissary guide
Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts, with official links and 36 facilities in our directory.
Adding money in Massachusetts state prisons
Massachusetts Department of Correction runs the state prison system. On its official pages, it lists these ways for families to add money to an account:
- Online, mobile app, or phone 24/7 through Access Corrections
- Cash at drop-off locations through Cash Pay Today
- Money order or check by mail to the Secure Deposits lockbox with a deposit slip (no fee)
- Lobby drop box at some facilities (call first)
Deposit companies named by the agency: Access Corrections, Cash Pay Today.
Official page on sending money
Commissary rules
- Deposits go to the person's canteen account
County and city jails in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts?
Our directory lists 36 adult facilities in Massachusetts, including 9 prisons and 20 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 Massachusetts state prison?
Massachusetts Department of Correction lists these options: Online, mobile app, or phone 24/7 through Access Corrections; Cash at drop-off locations through Cash Pay Today; Money order or check by mail to the Secure Deposits lockbox with a deposit slip (no fee); Lobby drop box at some facilities (call first). 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 Massachusetts prison?
Use the Massachusetts Department of Correction official inmate locator at https://www.mass.gov/how-to/find-someone-housed-in-a-massachusetts-prison. County jails keep their own rosters, usually on the sheriff's office website.
Do county jails in Massachusetts 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.