Money transfer from France

[chintath]

My friend is a Native American who has an organization, Thunder Heart, selling his drawings in France. He asked me if his friend from the organization can send me the money so I can send the prison a money order. Can you think of any reason for this--why go through me rather than directly send him a money order? Thanks in advance.

[Rostonhall]

Perhaps it's just because we have so much trouble getting US Money Orders in Europe. In fact, unless you know someone who's going to the US, it's impossible to get USMOs here.

A penpal organization my sister belongs to usually get me to buy a stock for them when I visit Tony, just so their members can send money to their friends. Other than that the only other way is by Western Union, and then only if the DOC has an account with them.

So, for you to get the money order may well be the only way it can be done.

Rose

[chintath]

Thanks, Rose. I have no reason to mistrust him but I was curious. Karen

[Phil in Paris]

Rose is right, it's not easy to send money order from France to a prison in the US, unless it accepts Western Union money orders like in Florida.

Phil

[ljb]

Inmates can only access funds in their personal trust fund set up by the state. Funds can only be accepted by authorized members on their visitors list. The Inmate Trust Fund will only accept money orders or bank checks, no personal checks or cash. Inmates can draw on this account to purchase items from the prison commissary. If you are on his list this may be why he is going through you. No money should go to the prison, only to the trust fund.

[Rostonhall]

ljb, this is a very old thread but I'll answer what you have to so anyway.

What you state applies, maybe, in some states but not all, not by any means. Money orders, bank cheques or a Western Union Transfer, can be sent to the inmate by anyone, not just those on his/her visitors list.

Rose