New Ways To Provide Money For Inmates In Washington Co.

This is the kiosk currently located in the lobby of the detention center.

By: Heather Provencher | TriCities.com
Published: March 11, 2009

Now there are more ways to deposit money into an inmate’s accout at the Washington County Detention Center.

A new kiosk in the lobby of the detention center accepts your payment, which is then deposited into an inmate’s account. There are also two other ways: sending money through Western Union or via a government payment web site.

The kiosk in the lobby will accept cash, debit or credit cards and the money is instantly in the inmate’s account. An inmate can also have money deposited into their accounts via http://www.govpaynow.com or by going to any Western Union.

The requirements for all three methods are the same as before-- the person placing money into an account will need the inmates’ name and account number.

According to Sheriff Ed Graybeal, this will help families by not forcing them to drive and pick up a money order and then drop it off or mail it to the detention center.

The county will continue taking money orders at the front desk until April 1 to allow people time to get used to the new system.

After April 1, the receptionist will not be allowed to give out account numbers, create an account or deposit money orders.

Graybeal said that in two weeks they have had 76 transactions using the kiosk and 5 transactions using the govpaynow website.