Transferring money

Cash is not allowed in South Australian prisons.

Cheque or Postal Order

The best way to transfer money to prisoners is by bank cheque or by a Standard Money Order.
You can get Standard Money Orders at the Post Office.
Find your nearest Post Office.

We accept money transfers from family and friends, lawyers, solicitors and support groups. Those depositing money must be approved and identifiable. You must ensure that your name and address are included with the transfer.

We do not accept online money transfers.

Money transfer limits and rules

Each prisoner has an account that money can be transferred into. This account can be used to make purchases from the canteen. Please note it may take up to 7 days for the funds to be made available in the prisoner’s account.

A maximum transfer limit of $300 a month applies in low to medium security prisons.

A maximum transfer limit of $200 a month applies in high security prisons.

If you try and transfer too much money this may be investigated and the transfer delayed. The excess will be put into the prisoner's telephone account. Money cannot be moved from the telephone account to the prisoner’s general account.

You cannot send money to a prisoner if you have been released from prison within the past 12 months.

How to mail a money transfer

Money orders and cheques should be made payable to the prisoner.

For those who send in a cheque, your bank statement will show as a transaction from the Department for Correctional Services.

You must put your full name and address on the back of the envelope and the prisoners full name on the front of the envelope.

Money orders and cheques should be sent to the nominated postal address of the specific prison where the prisoner is being held.

If a prisoner is transferred to another prison after you have posted the envelope it will be sent onto the new prison.