The Cost of Supporting a Loved One in Prison, and How to Stretch Your Budget

The cost of supporting a loved one in prison adds up fast: commissary, phone calls, messages, visits and the fees to send money. Many families spend hundreds of dollars a month, and research shows a lot of them go into debt doing it. The good news is that some simple choices, like how and when you send money, can make each dollar go further. Here's what the research says and how to stretch your budget.

The real financial load on families

You're not alone if this feels heavy. National research shows the burden is real and falls mostly on families.

The Who Pays? report (2015), led by the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights and Forward Together, surveyed 712 formerly incarcerated people and 368 family members. It found:

• 34% of families went into debt to pay for phone calls and visits alone.
• 65% of families with an incarcerated member couldn't meet basic needs. 49% struggled to afford food and 48% struggled with housing.
• The average debt for court-related fines and fees was $13,607.
• In 63% of cases, family members on the outside mainly paid court-related costs. 83% of those family members were women.

In 2019, The Marshall Project asked families to track what they spent. Nearly 200 people responded, and many said they spent hundreds of dollars a month. The article also cited a Prison Policy Initiative estimate that families spend $2.9 billion a year on commissary accounts and phone calls.

Why commissary takes so much

Your loved one likely depends on you because prison pay is so low. In 2017, the Prison Policy Initiative found regular prison jobs paid an average of about 14 to 63 cents an hour, and some states paid nothing for most jobs.

At the same time, people need commissary for food, hygiene items and other basics. A 2018 Prison Policy Initiative study of three state prison systems found people spent an average of $947 a year at commissary, mostly on food. The study said most of that money likely comes from families.

Learn more in our guides to prison commissary prices and prison commissary food.

Watch out for deposit fees

Fees to send money can quietly eat a big share of your support. In November 2021, the Prison Policy Initiative reviewed money transfer fees in 33 states. It found:

• Online fees ranged from 5% to 37% of the amount sent.
• On average, fees were 19% of a $20 transfer and 12% of a $50 transfer.
• Phone and in-person payments generally cost more than online payments.
• About 45 states allowed mailed money orders with no transfer fee. You still pay for the money order and a stamp.
• The downside of mail is speed. Processing can sometimes take up to 10 business days.

Some states offer other low-cost choices. For example, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice offers a free monthly debit from a family member's checking account.

For step-by-step help, see how to put money on commissary.

Practical ways to stretch your money

1. Pool with family. If several relatives each send small amounts, you each pay a fee. Instead, combine money and have one person send a larger deposit. Since many fees are flat, the fee takes a smaller share.

2. Send less often, in larger amounts. The same idea works for you alone. One $50 deposit usually costs less in fees than two or three $20 deposits.

3. Plan ahead and use mail when you can. A money order by mail is often the cheapest route. Mail it early so funds arrive before your loved one needs them.

4. Compare options every time. The Prison Policy Initiative found the cheapest method can depend on the amount you send. Check each option's fee before you pay.

5. Ask about deductions first. Some facilities take part of a deposit for fines, fees or other debts. Ask before you send so you know how much your loved one will actually get.

6. Agree on priorities. Talk with your loved one about what matters most, like phone time to stay in touch, then food and hygiene. A shared plan helps avoid surprises. Our prison commissary list and commissary spending limits guides can help.

7. Use free help. If fees or service seem wrong, the Prison Policy Initiative suggests contacting the prison's ombuds or family support office, your state attorney general, or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Plan for release, too

Money left in your loved one's account is usually paid out when they leave, often on a debit card that may carry fees. Planning ahead can protect that money. Read what happens to commissary money at release.

Take care of yourself

Supporting someone inside is a long-term effort. Set a monthly amount you can truly afford, and stick to it. Your loved one needs you steady, not stretched to the breaking point. It's okay to say what you can and can't do.