How to Send Money to FCI McKean

Step 1. Choose a Deposit Method

The BOP accepts deposits through 3 channels: MoneyGram (send to receive code 7932), Western Union (send to FBOP DC), or a USPS money order mailed to the Bureau’s centralized processing address in Des Moines, Iowa. None of these methods send money directly to FCI McKean.

Step 2. Have the Right Information Ready

You’ll need the inmate’s full legal name and their BOP Register Number, confirmed through the BOP’s Inmate Locator if you don’t already have it. This number is what gets the deposit credited to the right account.

Sending on a Regular Schedule

Some families set up a recurring monthly deposit around payday or the start of the month to keep the commissary balance topped up consistently, rather than depositing sporadically. There’s no BOP requirement to do this, but a predictable schedule can make it easier to plan around the $360 monthly spending cap.

Step 3. Know the Monthly Limit

Commissary spending is capped at $360 per month, a standard limit across BOP facilities. Deposits beyond what’s needed to reach that cap build up in the inmate’s trust fund account instead of being immediately spendable.

Why Money Doesn’t Go Directly to the Facility

The BOP centralizes financial processing for security and consistency across its more than 100 facilities nationwide, including FCI McKean and its adjacent satellite camp. This means the deposit address is the same no matter which BOP facility someone is housed at, only the register number and facility assignment change.

How Long a Deposit Takes to Post

MoneyGram and Western Union deposits are usually the fastest, often posting within a day or two once the transaction is complete. A USPS money order mailed to the centralized Des Moines address takes longer, since it has to physically travel through the mail before it’s processed and credited, plan for at least a week when using that method if the timing matters.

Deposit Fees

MoneyGram and Western Union both charge a service fee on top of the amount you’re sending, and the fee typically scales with the transfer amount. A USPS money order carries a smaller, flat fee. Compare current fees across methods before choosing one if the cost matters, since they can change and aren’t set by the BOP.

Setting Up an Account With the Deposit Provider

MoneyGram and Western Union both require you to create an account or complete the transaction through their own website, app, or a physical location, the BOP itself doesn’t run these services, it only receives the funds once they’re sent. Have a valid form of ID ready, since money transfer services generally require identity verification for larger transactions.

Money Orders From Someone Incarcerated Elsewhere

If another incarcerated person, rather than a free family member, wants to send money to someone at FCI McKean, that transfer generally has to go through a different process than the standard MoneyGram, Western Union, or USPS options available to the public. Ask the facility’s trust fund office at (814) 362-8900 how inmate-to-inmate transfers are handled, since BOP policy restricts this more than deposits from an outside family member.

Keeping a Record of Your Deposit

Hold onto the receipt or confirmation number from MoneyGram, Western Union, or the USPS money order until you’ve confirmed the deposit posted to the inmate’s account. If something goes wrong and you need to follow up with the transfer service, that confirmation number is usually the first thing their customer service will ask for.

If a Deposit Fails

Confirm the inmate’s name and BOP Register Number are correct, since mismatches are the most common reason a deposit doesn’t process. Contact MoneyGram, Western Union, or USPS customer service directly depending on which method you used, since the BOP itself doesn’t process the transaction.

What Happens If He’s Transferred

If the person you’re sending money to is transferred to a different federal facility, his trust fund account and balance transfer with him. Confirm his new location through the BOP’s Inmate Locator before sending anything further, since the receiving details stay the same but his register number and facility assignment may need re-confirming.

Sending Money From Outside the United States

MoneyGram and Western Union both support international transfers, so a family member sending funds from overseas typically has a usable option, though fees and processing times can run higher than a domestic transfer. A USPS money order works differently for international senders, since it depends on the postal service in the sending country and can take considerably longer to arrive and process. If you’re sending from abroad, check current fees and estimated delivery time directly with MoneyGram or Western Union before choosing a method.

Methods That Aren’t Accepted

Personal checks, gift cards, cryptocurrency, and cash mailed directly to the facility aren’t accepted deposit methods. Stick to MoneyGram, Western Union, or a USPS money order to the centralized Des Moines address, sending funds any other way risks the money never being credited and being difficult or impossible to recover.

Checking the Account Balance

The inmate can typically check their trust fund account balance through a kiosk or terminal inside the facility, the same system used for phone and email. Families sending deposits generally don’t have direct online access to check the balance themselves, if you want confirmation a deposit posted, the easiest way is to ask the inmate to check on his end during your next call, email, or visit.

Court-Ordered Restitution and Holds

Some inmate trust fund accounts carry court-ordered restitution obligations that reduce how much of a deposit reaches the spendable commissary balance. If a deposit doesn’t seem to be reaching the balance the way you expect, ask the facility’s trust fund office at (814) 362-8900 whether a restitution order applies to the account.

What the Money Actually Covers

Trust fund deposits at FCI McKean cover more than snacks. Commissary purchases typically include hygiene items, over-the-counter medication, clothing basics, and stamps, and the same account funds phone minutes and CorrLinks email access. Some inmates also use trust fund money to purchase approved electronics like an MP3 player or radio through the commissary catalog, if that’s an option the inmate is interested in.

The $360 Monthly Commissary Limit

BOP policy caps commissary spending at $360 per month per inmate, regardless of how much is sitting in the trust fund account. Depositing more than that in a given month won’t let him spend beyond the cap, the extra just carries over as a balance.

If a Deposit Doesn’t Go Through

Double-check the sender information and reference number required by MoneyGram, Western Union, or the USPS money order process, a mismatch is the most common reason a deposit gets delayed or rejected. If it still doesn’t post after a few business days, contact the facility’s trust fund office at (814) 362-8900.