What is an Inmate Commissary?
Commissary, also known as Canteen, is the ‘store’ within a jail or prison where inmates can purchase items that they want or need to make their stay in jail or prison less of a burden.
Snacks and comfort foods, branded hygiene products they are used to, sneakers and t-shirts, prayer blankets, radios, headphones, television sets, tablets, stationary products and art supplies; depending on the facility, there are thousands of products to choose from.
Some jail and prison systems run their own commissary store, others contract out to companies that serve dozens or hundreds of jails, where inmates and/or their friends and families can purchase products through a website from home, or a kiosk or tablet within their facility.
What items can inmates purchase in jail and prison?
Food
• Cookies
• Pastries
• Candy
• Tuna and mackerel
• Coffee and Tea
• Soft drinks
• Energy drinks
• Pizza
• Hamburgers
• Chicken fingers
• Spices
Hygiene
• Shampoo
• Soap
• Shaving supplies
• Lotions
• Deodorant
• Oral care
• Toilet paper
• Nail care
Clothing
• Sweats
• Sneakers
• Shorts
• Underwear and bras
• Socks
• Jackets
• Hats
Electronics
• Televisions
• Radios
• Headphones
• Tablets
• Watches
Miscellaneous
• Playing cards
• Games
• Bibles
• Books
• Art supplies
• Stationery supplies
• Vaping products (only some states)
• Greeting cards
How much money can an inmate spend on commissary each month?
Generally, the maximum spend in jail is about $300 per month. Prisons allow a bit more as it is more of a permanent home, whereby jail is temporary. To find out how much an inmate in the Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility can spend each month, call 304-843-4067.
How often can inmates purchase commissary?
Some jails it's twice a week, others once a week or every other week. A lot of the online stores care pack companies are once a month. To find out the exact schedule for Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility, call 304-843-4067.
How can a friend or family member deposit money for an inmate in jail or prison?
Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility has its own methods for receiving money for inmates, and that information can be found above or by calling 304-843-4067 and asking, however all jails and prisons all receive money for an inmate’s trust and commissary account, as well as an account used for communications, pretty much the same way.
1. Mailing an inmate a money order or cashier’s check from a trusted source such as the Post Office, a local bank, or Western Union. The Money order should be be made out to either the inmate or the facility, with the inmate’s name and ID# on the memo line of the check.
When mailing a money order or cashier’s check, send it an envelope by itself. Never send it with a letter or photos for your inmate.
Never send personal checks or cash either.
2. Deposit cash or use a debit or credit card to send an inmate money using an ATM machine that is usually located in the lobby or visitation area of the facility.
3. Some jails have a reception desk or booth that is open during certain hours that they will list on their website. They will accept cash, money orders or cashier checks. Other facilities that don’t have a human manning the desk will have mail drop where you can leave a money order or check. No cash can be left in these boxes.
4. There are multiple companies that jails and prisons contract with which accept inmate deposits online, by mail or over the phone, or even in ATM machines you can find in check cashing stores and retail outlets across the country.
If one of these companies (listed in the next question) works with Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility, this information will be outlined above.
Who are the companies that jails use to send money to inmates?
There are many companies competing for the accounts of jail and prison inmates. Their intention is to alleviate the staffing and financial responsibility of handling inmate’s accounts. They usually charge a fee equal to 3-5% of the total deposit.
The companies, in alphabetical order, are:
Access Corrections
AllPaid (aka GovPayNet)
Care A Cell
Cash Bond Online
CIDNET
City Tele Coin
CommissaryDeposit.com
Correct Solutions Group
Correctpay
Ctel
Edevo
Express Account
gettingout
GTL
Inmate Canteen
InmateSales
JailATM
Jail Pack Store (McDaniel Supply)
Jailpayments.com
Jpay
NCIC
JailCanteen (Oasis)
Paytel
Pigeonly
Prodigy Sales
Reliance
Securus
Smart Communications
Tennessee Business Enterprise
Tiger
Touchpay
How do I send an inmate money by mail?
To send an inmate money by mail you first have to have the money converted to a money order, preferably from the US Post Office, or a Cashier’s Check. Never send cash, and never send a personal check.
To find the address for sending money to an inmate, call the jail at 304-843-4067.
Can I send an inmate money online?
Almost every facility contracts with a company that helps friends and families of inmates send them money. The list can be found above.
To find out who Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility contracts with for inmate deposits, call them at 304-843-4067.
How expensive are items on commissary?
Items on commissary are no more expensive than they would be at a local Walmart store.
What is a Commissary deposit?
A commissary deposit is the money that a person on the outside deposits in an inmate’s trust account, so they can have money to spend on commissary and communication services.
How much money can inmate have in his commissary account?
The limit that an inmate can have in their commissary account is usually about $300.00. To find out what the limit is for Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility, call 304-843-4067.
Can I send an inmate a package or care pack??
Many jails contract with companies that send food, hygiene products and/or clothing to inmates. These can be purchased and sent by friends and family on a weekly or monthly basis.
You can only send items from the one that your jail has a contract with.
An inmate carepack is a pack of snacks and/or hygiene products that friends or family members of an inmate can purchase online and have shipped to an inmate. The carepack company needs to have a contract with the facility before it can be shipped to the inmate.
Check this page, the Money Page or the Commissary Page for further information, or call the jail at 304-843-4067 to see which one that the Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility works with.
Here are the commissary package companies, in alphabetical order, that provide this service to jails in the United States:
Access Securepak
Care A Cell
Commissary order
Correct Pay
Express Account
icare
Inmate Canteen
Jail ATM
Jail Pack Store (McDaniel Supply)
My Care Pack
Oasis (jailcanteen)
Prodigy Solutions
Tiger
Union Supply Direct
Can an inmate buy gifts on commissary?
Not really. Other than the basic supplies mentioned above there are no gifts other than greeting cards that they can fill out and mail to a friend, family or loved one.
Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility Inmate Mail Guidelines
Postcards Envelopes
The Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature.
The Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates.
Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility-WV
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131
Legal Mail
Send all legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Northern Regional Jail & Correctional
112 Northern Regional Correction Drive
Moundsville, WV 26041
Newspapers Magazines Books
Local or national newspapers may also be mailed to the inmate as long as they are mailed directly from the newspaper publisher.
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.
The Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as Amazon,Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million.You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address below.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility standards will be disposed of. No more than three books may be shipped at any one time.
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.
Allnewspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Northern Regional Jail & Correctional
112 Northern Regional Correction Drive
Moundsville, WV 26041
Marshall County Bail Bond Information
Because Marshall County and West Virginia can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facilityat 304-843-4067, or the court in the jurisdiction (i.e. Municipal Court, District Court, etc.) where the offender was charged, and do this rightafter an arrestee has been booked.
Ask the staff at the Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility or the Marshall County Court Clerk these specific questions:
- Is the defendant eligible for bail or a bond?
- How much will the bail or bond be, and what are the additional fees?
- Where do I go to pay it?
- Are there any days or times of the day or night when I cannot post bail?
- What types of payment are allowed? Cash? Money order? Credit card? What types of credit cards? Property or other collateral? Surety bonds?
- Do I have to use a bail or bond agent?
If you feel the bail is too high and you wish to get it reduced, contact a lawyer or the defendant's public defender and get them to look into what they can do to get a bail reduction. The sooner you get working on this the quicker you will get your loved one released.
This entire process will go smoother and faster with a criminal attorney or bail agent handling it for you.
TextBehind enables you to communicate with your incarcerated loved ones located inside the United States from anywhere in the world using text letters, kids' drawings, and custom greeting cards. Unlimited inmate reply letters are processed for electronic delivery to your smartphone and email at no extra charge.
The cost to send an electronic letter is approximately $1.00.
Here’s how it works for Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility: IMPORTANT NOTES:
1. All offender mail (paper and electronic) is addressed and delivered to TextBehind. Electronic mail is sent through the apps (iphone, Google Play). Paper mail is sent to the address below:
Inmate Name and Inmate Number
Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility West Virginia (note: please do not abbreviate the name)
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131
2. If it was sent via TextBehind's app (iphone, Google Play), TextBehind can process it within one business day.
3. An additional step is involved in processing mail that is sent using the U.S. Postal Service. TextBehind will use a scanner to make digital files of the contents of the mailing—including cards, photos or artwork.
4. All digital files are then forwarded to the offender’s assigned prison.
5. Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility mailroom prints approved pages and delivers them to the inmate.
- TextBehind does not deliver any mail to the inmate directly, nor do they guarantee delivery of your letters to the inmates by the courier, jail or prison staff. Once theyprocess your mail and ship them out on your behalf, theyare out of the loop entirely. However, at times theymay offer to resend your letters under certain strict conditions as a courtesy.
- Inmates do not receive any invites when you add them, and neither do they need to accept the use of TextBehind service. Once you add the inmate, you can create letters for them.
Here’s what happens when TextBehind receives a letter from an inmate:
- Upon receiving, TextBehind staff open their letters, scan, and upload high-quality images to your TextBehind account as a complimentary service. You are not required to have any money or credits balance in your TextBehind account to receive inmate letters.
- Next, youwill receive a text and email alert to notify you of any new incoming reply letters. At that time, you can log into the TextBehind website or mobile app and view letters in your CONTACTS >> Click on Conversation Icon.
YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS...
- Inmates do require a stamp to send out their letters to TextBehind using Postal Service.
- The cash or credit balance from your TextBehind account will not be shared with inmates as a substitute for the stamps.
- All letters printed and shipped by TextBehind nationwide to virtually any jail or prison facility are delivered to the jails/prisons by couriers such as the USPS or FedEx as their standard process.
- After the shipments, TextBehind has no control over the process.
- The delivery of your letters dependson couriers and prison staff taking necessary action on time.
IMPORTANT TextBehind LINKS: ** Address to Mail letters using TextBehind **
Register / Log in with TextBehind
Contact TextBehind with Questions
Add an Inmate to your list of Contacts
Inmate Name and Inmate Number
Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility West Virginia (note: please do not abbreviate the name)
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131
Why is TextBehind used by Lockups?
Due to the problem of letters and postcards containing, or soaked in contraband (drugs), TextBehind electronic and physical letters is replacing the former policy of allowing mail to be sent directly from inmate’s friends and family members, and vice versa.
How to Deposit Money in an Inmate's Trust Account in Orderto Purchase Prepaid Calling Cards, Phone Calling Time or Commissary
To Deposit Money in an inmate's account follow these steps:
- Create a ConnectNetwork account
- Selectyour inmate, andadd to them to your account,
- Deposit money into his or her commissary account.
**NOTE** GTL isin a transitionmerging into a new company called ViaPath Technologies.
- Deposit options available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via phone 877-650-4249, and online.
- Mobile-friendly deposit options are available via their app.
- Deposits and payments made through automated channels (ConnectNetwork Website, Mobile App, Toll Free Phone, or Kiosk at the jail) are transmitted to the facility within one business day.
- Deposits that are mailed are processed the next business day after they are received by GTL.
- Inmate can choose how to spend the funds you deposit.
All the information you need to understand depositing money into an inmate's trust fund, specifically for phone calls, but also for Commissary, inMarshall County, can be found on our Send MoneyPage.
How Do You Communicate with an Inmate in the Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility by Phone
Follow these instructions on how toopen an account with GTL Connect Network (aka Viapath Technologies)
- Advance Pay - This phone account allows you to prepay so that your inmate can call you (and only you) whenever he/she wants and the cost of each call is deducted from your balance. You can even be notified by text when your balance gets low. You still have the option of accepting or rejecting each call.
- Pin Debit - This option allows you to fund an inmate's commissary account and lets him pay for phone calls to you and others with the money. You will have no control over who your inmate calls.
- Voicemail - You can leave a secure voicemail without having to contact the facility. When you call the local phone number for a facility offering Inmate Voicemail (call Customer Service at 877-650-4249 to get the local voicemail number for Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility, you will be informed of the cost for leaving a message. To leave your message, simply select the inmate by ID number. Then, record your voicemail.
For full instructions on the Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility Inmate Phone System, what the costs are, how it works, and tips and guidelines on rules, regulations and saving money on calls, check out ourInmate PhonesPage.
Depositing Money for Communicating with an Inmate
How to Make a Deposit for Phone, Email or Visitation using GettingOut.com
Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility uses GettingOut for some or all of its communication services with an inmate.
If you want to deposit money using this company for your use or your inmate's account, there are four ways to do it:
- Online- They accept all major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
- At the Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facilityusing the kiosk in the jail lobby - (cash, debit or credit card) NOTE - Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility mayrequire identity verification so bring your driver’s license or some other form of ID.
- By phone by calling866-516-0115- They havebi-lingual operators are standing by 24 hours 7 days a week to assist you with your deposit. Major credit cards accepted are Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
- By using their app, either Android or iphone. - All credit cards mentioned above are accepted.
For all the information you need to know, including tips, guidelines and warnings about depositing money in a Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facilityinmate's account for communication services, check out ourSend Moneypage.
How Inmates Can Use aTablet to Access Services at Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility
To find out how to get access to a tablet for inmate read the following:
1. First, Register or Sign In to GettingOut/GTL
2. Purchase the services you want for your Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility inmate.
3. All inmates have free access to the tablets to read their letters from family & friends, but there are many other services available to keep your inmate busy while incarcerated... such as Games, Books, Music and Movies. These other services come with fees that you can pay for when you pay for phone service.
To learn more about Tablet Rentals for inmates, including the cost, all the services available and everything else you need to know, check out ourTablet RentalPage.
How to Communicate with an Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility Inmate by Mail and by Email
To mail or email an inmate in Marshall County follow these steps:
When mailing a letter or postcard to an inmate, please follow these instructions:
- All mail sent to an inmate at the Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility must include the sender's name and mailing address in the top left corner of the envelope or postcard.
- All mail must include the facility's address, as well as the inmate's name and assigned number.
- Failure to include your return address will most likely result in your mail NOT being delivered and your letter destroyed.
- The Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility has a zero-tolerance policy regarding mail violations.
- All the information you need to understand mail and email policies can be found on ourInmate MailPage and ourText/Email an InmatePage.
Emailing Messages & Photos
Facility_name_1} contracts with GTLGettingOut, the same servicethat handles iInmate Phone Systems and Video Visitation, forsending secure messages and photos between you and your inmate.
If you are not already registered, do so here, or Log in.
Then use the Facility Finder to:
1. Select Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility,
2. Add your inmate to your list of contacts,
3. Add a credit or debit card to cover your costs.
- Messages can be up to 500 characters long, including punctuation. At the bottom of your message there is a 'character countdown' feature.
- After you click the “CONTINUE” button, you can review the cost to send your message to your inmate. You can also attach credits for your inmate to reply to your message.Be sure to accept the Terms and Conditions and click the “SEND” button for your message to be successfully delivered to your inmate.
- You can also send your Marshall County inmate photos and videos.
Customer Service Questions
'Online' Contact Form, or
Call 866-516-0115
Go here to this FAQ to get answers to how the transition to ViaPath from GTL and gettingout will affect your account.
All the information you need to understand mail and email policies for Marshall County can be found on ourInmate Mail Page and ourText/Email an InmatePage.
How Do You Visit an Inmatein Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility?
To visit an inmate in Marshall County, whether by video or in person 'at the jail', follow these steps:
Other than 'at the jail' visits between you and your inmate, which is explained and outlined in detail on ourVisit InmatePage, Marshall County remote video inmate visitation can be done using the services of GettingOut.
There are three ways to remotely visit your inmate in Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility:
1.Using the GettingOutKiosk at the jail.
2. Using your computer from home.
3. Using your phone on the GettingOutapps.
To remotely visit an inmatein Marshall County follow these steps:
1. Start by confirming that Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility's Video Visitation is working correctly by looking up Marshall County here.
2. The next step is tocreate an account here for GettingOut.
3. Then add funds to your account.
4. Last, select Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility, and then theinmate you wish to communicate with.
Other Marshall County Services provided by GettingOut:
- Phone Calls &Voicemail
- Email, Photo & Video Sharing
- Inmate Tablet Rental
- Deposits
Customer Service
If you have any questions about the Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility Visitation Servicesyou can call them at 866-516-0115.
Frequently Asked Questions
* All the information you need to have complete knowledge about inmate visitation; policies, rules, fees, schedules, tips, dress codes, and children, lawyers andclergyvisitation in Marshall County, can be found on ourVisit InmatePage. Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility Phone: 304-843-4067
How to Send aCarepack Commissary Package Directly to an Inmate in Marshall County
To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility follow these steps:
- Select West Virginia, then select Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility, and then select the 'Send a Package Order' option.
- Register and create an account withAccess Securepak, for Marshall County.
- Choose the inmate and the products you want shipped to them, and input your payment method.
- NOTE: There may be a limit on how much product you can send your inmate in Marshall County at any one time.
For all information, tips and available items for shippingCommissarypackages to an inmate inNorthern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility check out our Commissary Instructions PageforMarshall County.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility allow packages to be shipped to an inmate?
Yes. The Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility uses an online service called Access Securepak in which friends and family members can order everything from snacks, candy and hot food to clothes, stationary and electronics, and have them shipped directly to any inmate. The prices are reasonable and ordering is easy. Learn more about ordering Access Securepak packages online for an inmate in the Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility. If you want to order by phone call 800-546-6283.
What kind of things can an inmate in the Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility buy in commissary?
The Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility allows a wide variety of food, snack foods, candy, clothing, electronics and other items to be purchased by inmates either through their commissary or by friends and family members sending in care packages from a third-party vendor called Access Securepak. All of the snacks and candy are brand name items that they are used to purchasing on the outside. Learn more about ordering Access Securepak packages online for an inmate in the Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility. If you want to order by phone call 800-546-6283.
Why do inmates in the Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility need commissary?
Inmates in the Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility do not necessarily need commissary, as the jail provides the with the minimum food and hygiene products they need to subsist. But jail is a very stressful place, and by having a daily snack, or using a soap, shampoo or toothpaste that are used to using on the outside can bring a certain amount of normalcy and comfort to their life inside. Learn more about ordering Access Securepak packages online for an inmate in the Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility. If you want to order by phone call 800-546-6283.
Are commissary items used for gambling in the Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility?
Yes. Because inmates do not have access to actual cash money in the Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility, snacks, candy, brand name hygiene products and other sundries inmates can get from commissary and care packages you ship to them are used as currency, thus for gambling. In addition to gambling, commissary items can be used to purchase services such as haircuts, tattoos and cell cleaning. Unfortunately, in many cases, commissary items are also used to purchase protection from other inmates who wish them harm. If your inmate is needing more than $10 a day for commissary, they are getting pretty fat or are using the items they purchase for gambling purposes or personal protection. Learn more about inmate commissary in the Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility.
How much money should you send an inmate in Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility for commissary?
A reasonable amount of commissary money you should send your inmate is whatever your budget allows. While jail is stressful for an inmate, it is just as stressful for their family members or loved ones on the outside. You are the one that still has bills to pay; rent, utilities, food, phone, children's needs, gas, car payments and all the other stresses of life. As hard as the pressure you are getting to send money, your needs and the children's come first. Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility limits the inmates to receiving no more than $300-400 per month in commissary money and/or care packages, not including phone expenses, but realistically an inmate can get by on less than $100 per month of products and be comfortable. Learn more about inmate commissary in the Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility.
I didn't get the items from Access Securepak that I ordered. Can I get a refund?
Access Securepak will issue a refund for or replace broken, damaged, or missing products reported by Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility staff. They will not take your word for missing or broken items. You must get the jail staff to report it if you want a refund. Learn more about refunds from Access Securepak in the Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility. Call the jail at 304-843-4067 or if you want to discuss a problem call 800-546-6283.