Free · Official sources only
Federal (BOP) prison money & phone fees, compared
What it costs to send money and take calls from BOP, using only fees BOP publishes, each with its source and date. Where a fee isn't published, we say so; we never guess.
Sending money
Official fees and rates
- MoneyGram (ExpressPayment): account number is the 8-digit register number followed by the last name (e.g. 12345678DOE), company "Federal Bureau of Prisons", receive code 7932, up to $300 online.
Other official notes
- Wait until the person has physically arrived at a BOP-run facility. Deposits go to their commissary account, not to the prison's address.
- Western Union (Quick Collect): same account number format, code city "FBOP, DC". Pay at an agent, online at send2corrections.com, in the Send2Corrections app, or by phone at 1-800-634-3422 (option 2).
- By mail: money orders, U.S. government checks, or cashier's/certified checks only (no cash or personal checks) to Federal Bureau of Prisons, [full committed name], [8-digit register number], P.O. Box 474701, Des Moines, IA 50947-0001. Put your return address on the envelope.
- Questions about a deposit: BOP at 202-307-2712, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. ET. Private contract facilities have their own rules.
Source: official BOP page (opens in new tab) · checked
Phone calls, video and messages
Official fees and rates
Not published on the official BOP page we read. Vendors show their fee before you pay; check it there.
Other official notes
- People in BOP custody place calls; usually they pay, sometimes the receiving party does. Calls are monitored, and third-party or forwarded calls aren't allowed.
- Email runs through TRULINCS. The person adds you to their contact list; after staff approve it, CorrLinks emails you an invitation. Accept within 10 days or they'll need to re-add you.
- Messages are text only, no attachments, up to 13,000 characters, and are monitored. Contract facilities don't have TRULINCS.
Source: official BOP page (opens in new tab) · checked
Ways to keep costs down
- If BOP lists a free option (often a mailed money order), it says so above.
- Fees often step up with the amount; a vendor's checkout screen shows the exact fee before you pay.
- Compare states: all states side by side.
OutSooner has no sponsors or affiliate links; vendors are named only because BOP names them. Not financial or legal advice.
Other states · Federal (BOP) mail rules · Visit-day checklist · Federal (BOP) prisons and family guide
Sources: How we source and verify · Last verified: · Corrections