The Inmate Bank is comprised of three areas: The Booking Bank, the Releasing Bank, and the Administrative Bank.

The Booking and Releasing Banks are located within the Inmate Processing Center at 1201 Commerce Street. Clerks assigned to the Booking Bank work in the booking area alongside the receiving deputies. They collect monies from inmates coming into the jail system and issue receipts to them. The clerks then either create a new bank account for the inmate or reactivate a previous account. The monies are then deposited into that account utilizing the COBRA® Banker computer system. The Releasing Bank clerks are responsible for the printing and disbursement of checks issued to persons for the balance of their account upon being released from the custody of the Sheriff's Office.

The Administrative Bank is located at 1200 Baker Street. Clerks assigned to the Administrative Bank are responsible for the processing of all other deposits to the inmate accounts. As no cash is accepted from the public, only mailed money orders and Western Union Quick Collect® deposits are processed. These deposits are credited to the inmates' accounts and receipts generated, which are then sent to the inmate as a notification of the deposit having been made. The Administrative Bank is also responsible for processing medical charges accrued by the inmate and prepares all monies collected by the Inmate Bank for deposit.

Any financial instrument sent must be accompanied by the senders name and full address so it may be returned in the event any problems are encountered during depositing. Reasons for return can be a wrong SPN number, SPN number and name of record do not match, or the inmate has been released from custody or transferred to another agency. In the event a financial instrument cannot be returned it will be held until it must be escheated to the State of Texas.

Types of deposits accepted and instructions:

Western Union® Quick Collects®:

Western Union® Quick Collects® are accepted and may be sent from any authorized Western Union® agent. Use the "blue form" and the code city of "ITF-TEXAS" in the appropriate blocks. In addition ensure you put the inmate's name and SPN number on the "blue form" as well. Failure to include the inmate's name or SPN number can result in the refusal of the Quick Collect® upon its' receipt.

Government Payment Service:

Deposits are accepted by way of "Government Payment Services".  This is a private entity that accepts payments by way of Credit/Debit cards only by phone.  In order to utilize this service you must call 1-888-277-2535, 24 hours a day. 

You will need the following information:
The Harris County S.O. Pay Location Code = 5500
The inmate's last name.
The inmate's SPN
The facility code = HSO

There is a minimum deposit of $25.00, and a maximum of $100.00.  A service fee of 5% of the deposit amount will be charged.  There is a minimum service fee of $2.5 per transaction.

Money orders:

Money orders are accepted for deposit to an inmate's account. We accept U.S. Postal and Western Union® money orders. Money orders should be made payable to the "Inmate Trust Fund." Include the inmate's name and SPN number in the miscellaneous information space of the money order.

Cashiers' Checks:

Cashiers' checks drawn on a State or National Bank are accepted for deposit. No Credit Union or other financial institution checks are accepted. No personal checks are accepted for any reason. Cashier's checks should be made out to the "Inmate Trust Fund." Include the inmate's name and SPN number on the face of the check.

Information:

Office - 713-755-5313
FAX - 713-755-4546

Any questions concerning a deposit should first be addressed by the inmate using the standard procedures of the Harris County Jail system. Any other questions should be addressed to the issuer of the financial instrument. Problems with the Western Union® Quick Collect® deposits should be addressed to the Western Union® agent utilized by the depositor to send the original instrument.

Responses to questions about the balance of any inmate's account will only be addressed to the inmate. No information about any balance will be divulged to any other person. Individuals needing such information for law enforcement or court proceedings will be granted access upon written request or court subpoena, whichever is appropriate.