A commissary is a store inside of a jail where inmates can purchase goods like candy, snacks, socks, hygienic items, and writing supplies. However, because inmates are not allowed to possess their own money, you’ll need to load your loved one’s commissary account with money in advance. There are usually a few different methods of loading a commissary account, with varying policies from one correctional facility to another. This article will explain how to send funds to inmates in custody at the Summit County Jail in Utah.
Steps to Load an Inmate’s Account with Funds Online
Before you can load your loved one’s commissary account, you’ll need to have a few basic pieces of information ready:
- The “Pay Location Code,” which is 5500.
- The name and state where the facility is located, which would be the Summit County Jail in Utah.
- The inmate’s name and inmate number.
Once you’ve determined your loved one’s inmate number, you’re ready to send money. Here are the steps to load a commissary account for inmates at the Summit County Jail:
- Go online and navigate to GovPayNet (govpaynow.com). This is the web portal the Summit County Jail uses to process payments.
- Enter your Pay Location Code. Use the 5500 number listed above.
- Next, you’ll be prompted to “Enter Payment Information.” You’ll have to supply the inmate’s first, middle, and last name, the jail’s “facility code,” and the inmate’s booking number. (There’s a link with a drop-down menu to choose your state for the facility code.)
- Click “Continue” and simply follow the prompts to complete your payment. It’s always a good idea to keep the transaction in your records in case you need it for future reference.
That’s all there is to it. However, you should also familiarize yourself with the jail’s commissary policies, so that you have a better idea of how to time your payment. Orders are not available the moment they are placed.
Commissary Rules and Policies at the Summit County Jail
There are a few commissary rules inmates and their loved ones should keep in mind.
Commissary orders are placed on Sundays. Goods are received the next Thursday, so you should anticipate slight delays. Holidays can create longer delays due to the large influx of orders being placed. (Unfortunately, the jail does not give precise timetables for maximum holiday delays, stating only that “the order will be late by an unknown amount of time.”)
If an inmate places an order, but then is transferred or released before the order can be received, it’s possible to put a five-day hold on the order. Goods will be discarded if the inmate fails to retrieve them within five days. Be advised that inmates may only pick up their own commissary orders: directing orders to other inmates is strictly prohibited.
“Indigent packs,” including hygiene and writing supplies, are available to inmates whose commissary accounts have a balance of less than one dollar for a period of two weeks. However, if the inmate receives money, they will be charged the normal price for the indigent packs.
Tell your loved one to check their commissary packages carefully, as inmates are responsible for reviewing their own orders for incorrect or missing items. The jail will not refund or exchange items once a purchase is final. Once the inmate signs off on the order, there’s no going back.
Last but not least, it’s worth noting that goods from the commissary aren’t the only thing which inmates can purchase with the funds you load. Inmates also have the option to spend their funds on phone time, as long as they do not have any disciplinary issues which would interfere with normal phone time privileges. Furthermore, inmates who work can place orders through the Working Inmate Commissary Order Form, which includes additional items like CDs and headphones.
Loading your loved one’s commissary with funds can help keep them more comfortable while they’re being held in custody. However, what’s even more important is to get them out of jail as soon as possible.
If your loved one is in custody at the Summit County Jail, the Salt Lake City criminal defense lawyers of Overson Law LLC may be able to help. We can fight the charges against your loved one, protect their legal rights, and assist you with any questions you have about criminal hearings, how to post bail at the Summit County Jail, or any other aspects of the justice system.
To set up a free and confidential legal consultation, call our law offices right away at (801) 758-2287. Our phone lines are always open to take your call, including nights and weekends. We are also available to make emergency jail visits. We handle a wide variety of misdemeanor and felony charges throughout Summit County and the state of Utah, including drug charges, sex crimes, and theft.
