Arkansas Introduces Online Inmate Banking Deposits

Sending money to prisoners is now much easier for families and friends. The Arkansas Department of Correction has teamed up with the Information Network of Arkansas to offer a new service that accepts online deposits to inmate accounts. This fast, easy, and secure system is available through the state's official Web site.

Sending money to inmates used to be slow or costly. Before the online service was introduced, family members and friends could only send money by wire transfer or by mailing a cashier's check or money order, and overnight delivery often cost as much as $14.00. Funds can now be charged electronically to Visa, MasterCard, or Discover credit cards, and payments are processed immediately through Arkansas.gov's secure payment server.

Arkansas has more than 13,000 inmates, and approximately 200,000 online deposits were processed in 2004.

"This new online payment option will reduce the administrative burden for our agency and also save time and money for family members and friends of inmates," said Sheila Sharp, Assistant Director of Administrative Services for the Arkansas Department of Correction.

Credit card holders should visit the state's official Web site at www.Arkansas.gov to make online deposits. Users can select inmates by ID number or by searching the Arkansas Department of Correction's inmate population database. Credit card transactions are verified instantly to provide inmates with quick and easy access to funds.

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