An inmate with too much money to spend may become a target for people looking to take advantage of a prisoner. That inmate could also be trading items for illicit and illegal items. Knowing the normal amount spent per month will surely keep an inmate out of trouble or harms way.
If you are considering sending money to an inmate, be sure its for the right reasons and that it doesn’t feel like you were conned into doing so.
Some of the typical lies told to people to get them to send money are normally some form of “life-threatening” occurrence that only the money they send can help solve a crisis. This is often not the case and you really have to know the underlying motivation for requesting the funds.
If an inmate you know asks for money to pay for bond – you have to know this is a lie – the bond process is over once a person has been committed to an institution. Or when an inmate states they are eligible for early release yet they are serving 25 to life – they aren’t getting out any time soon. As well, a quick call to the prison may solve a few inmate questions.
If you need money right away you can always get a 100 day loan. Its fast and you can take up to 100 days to pay it back: 
Most newer county jails have terminals now much like ATMS where you can add money to an inmate’s account simply by depositing cash or using a debit or credit card. It is more convenient. I think the county makes a small kickback for using the machine, IDK.
I try to send money to my boyfriend at least once a month. Its hard to do sometimes and once he did not receive the money. I suggest to always use a money order and keep track of the stubs that come with it in case it is lost you can get a replacement. Also, most jails now have an atm like machine where you can put money in to a prisoners account.