The moment the steel doors slide shut at the Edmonton Remand Centre (ERC) or Calgary Remand Centre (CRC), a new reality begins; not just for the inmate, but for you. Suddenly, you are navigating a maze of trust accounts, publisher-direct shipping rules, and digital kiosks.

If you have tried to interpret the Alberta Correctional Services website at 2:00 AM, you know the frustration. One wrong move, a “used” book condition, a prohibited photo, or a deposit to the wrong account, and your support is rejected at the gate.

This guide is your tactical manual. We are cutting through the legalese to give you the specific, operational details on Synergy banking, Amazon delivery rules, and the Canada Post restrictions that dictate your loved one’s quality of life in 2026.

Sending Money (The Trust Account System)

In Alberta provincial centers, cash is contraband. The economy inside runs entirely on the Inmate Trust Account. This account funds everything from hygiene products to phone calls. Understanding how to load this account is your first priority.

The “Synergy” System (Provincial Only)

For almost all provincial facilities in Alberta including Fort Saskatchewan Correctional Centre, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, and the Remand centres funds are handled by Synergy Technology Solutions.

1. The SynergyDeposits.ca Portal This is the most common method for families. Unlike the old days of mailing money orders, you can now deposit funds electronically.

• Website: You must create an account at SynergyDeposits.ca.
• Payment Methods: They accept Interac e-Transfer and PayPal. This is critical because it means you do not need a credit card; you can send funds directly from your bank account.
• Processing Time: While Synergy processes the transaction quickly, the facility staff must manually “accept” the funds into the inmate’s ledger. Expect a delay of 24 to 48 hours before the inmate can actually spend the money.

2. Trust Account vs. Phone Account This is the most common mistake families make.

• Trust Account: Money here can be used for Canteen (snacks, hygiene) AND can be transferred by the inmate to their phone account.
• Phone Account: Money deposited here is locked for calls only. An inmate cannot move money from their phone account to buy food.
• Strategy: Unless you are absolutely sure they only need phone time, always deposit to the Trust Account. It gives them the flexibility to budget for themselves.

The Lobby Kiosk (Cash Deposits)

If you live near the facility (e.g., you are in Red Deer or Peace River), you can use the physical kiosk in the lobby.

• Required Info: You need the inmate’s full legal name and their Offender ID Number. Do not guess the ID number; ask the inmate or check your paperwork.
• Cash Rules: The machines accept $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 bills. They do not dispense change. If you insert $100 for a $50 deposit, the whole $100 goes into the account.

Federal Institutions (The CSC Difference)

If your loved one has been sentenced to 2 years or more, they are likely in a federal institution like Bowden Institution, Drumheller, or Edmonton Institution. Synergy does not work here.

• The Method: Federal corrections (CSC) generally rely on Money Orders or specific electronic transfer services depending on the institution’s current pilot programs.
• Mailing Funds: You must send a Cheque or Money Order via Canada Post. It must be made payable to the Receiver General for Canada.
• The Hold: CSC puts a strict “hold” on personal cheques (often 10 business days). Certified Cheques or Money Orders are cleared much faster.

Sending Books (The “Publisher Direct” Rule)

You cannot take a book off your shelf and mail it to an inmate. It will be destroyed or returned. To prevent drugs (like Suboxone strips soaked into pages) from entering the facility, Alberta Corrections enforces a strict “Publisher Direct” policy.

The Amazon/Indigo Loophole

Books must arrive in a package directly from a commercial distributor. The return address label must be from Amazon, Indigo/Chapters, or a recognized publisher.

1. Softcover is Mandatory Hardcover books are almost universally banned in Alberta provincial facilities.

• The Reason: Hardcovers can be weaponized or used to hollow out a compartment for contraband.
• The Fix: When ordering on Amazon, always filter by “Paperback.” If a hardcover arrives, it will be placed in the inmate’s “Personal Effects” (bins stored in the basement) and they will not see it until they are released.

2. Content Restrictions (The “Veto” List) Even if it comes from Amazon, the Mail Review Board can reject it. Avoid these categories:

• Maps: No road atlases or detailed maps of Western Canada (escape risk).
• Gang/Crime Content: Books that glorify criminal lifestyles or detail police tactics.
• Tattoo Art: Books containing tattoo flash art are often banned to prevent illicit tattooing inside.
• Urban Fiction: Certain “street lit” genres are heavily scrutinized.

3. The Used Book Warning Do not buy “Used” books on Amazon from third-party sellers if they ship from a private home. If the packaging looks like it was wrapped by a person rather than a machine, it may be rejected. Stick to “Fulfilled by Amazon” items.

Magazine Subscriptions

Magazines follow the same rule: they must come directly from the publisher.

• Subscription Labels: The mailing label on the magazine must match the inmate’s name. You cannot bring your old issues of National Geographic to a visit.
• Staples: Some secure units (like Maximim Security wings) remove staples from magazines, which can leave the pages loose.

Photos and Correspondence

In the digital age, a physical photograph is one of the few tangible comforts an inmate has. However, the rules for mailing photos to Medicine Hat Remand or Grande Cache Institution are strict.

Physical Photo Rules

• Size Matters: The standard maximum size is 4×6 inches. Anything larger (8×10) is often considered “poster material” and confiscated.
• Quantity Limits: Most envelopes are limited to 5 to 10 photos per mailing. If you send 50 photos in one packet, the mailroom may reject the entire bundle.
• The “Polaroid” Ban: Never send Polaroid or instant-developing photos. The chemical layers can be separated to hide drugs, making them an automatic contraband item.
• Backing: Do not write on the back of photos with heavy markers or stick labels on them. The ink/glue can be tested for drugs.

Digital Options (Video Visits)

In 2026, many interactions are moving to screens.

• Remote Video Visitation: Facilities often use the “GettingOut” app or similar Cisco-based systems. You can schedule a 20-minute video call from your home.
• Scheduling: Slots fill up fast, especially on weekends and holidays like Christmas. Book your slot at least 5 days in advance.
• Dress Code: Even though you are at home, strict dress codes apply to video visits. No revealing clothing. If a guard monitors the feed and sees a violation, your visiting privileges (both video and in-person) can be suspended for months.

The Canteen (What Your Money Buys)

When you deposit $100 into a Trust Account, you are funding the inmate’s “Canteen” (Commissary). This is the internal store where inmates buy essentials. Understanding the cost of living inside helps you budget your support.

The “Canteen Sheet” Essentials

Prices fluctuate, but here is a realistic breakdown of where your money goes in an Alberta facility:

• The Phone: The most expensive item. A 20-minute call can cost significant credits depending on whether it is local or long-distance.
• Hygiene: Institutional soap is harsh. Inmates purchase “3-in-1” body wash, higher quality toothpaste, and deodorant.
• Food (The “Spread”): Ramen noodles (often called “soups”) are the base of prison cooking. Tuna packets, beef jerky, and chocolate bars are luxury items used for bartering and supplementing the standard meal trays.
• Stamps and Stationery: If they want to write you back, they need to buy their own envelopes and stamps.

Savings Account vs. Current Account

In federal institutions (CSC), money sent by family often goes into a “Savings” portion that is harder to access. There is a “mandatory savings” deduction from inmate wages. In provincial remands, the money is generally more fluid, available immediately for weekly canteen delivery.

Mailing Addresses & Facility Specifics

Getting the address right is critical. If you leave off the “Inmate ID,” the mailroom has to manually search the name. If it’s a common name (e.g., “John Smith”), the mail will be returned.

Format for Addressing Mail:

Inmate Full Legal Name Inmate ID Number (e.g., 123456) Unit Number (if known, e.g., Unit 3B) Facility Name PO Box or Street Address City, Province, Postal Code

Key Facility Locations

Edmonton Remand Centre (ERC)

• Status: Largest facility in Canada. High volume of mail.
• Tip: Mail processing here is slow due to volume. Allow 7-10 business days for a letter to clear security.

Calgary Remand Centre (CRC)

• Location: NW Calgary.
• Tip: Strict parking rules for visitors. Arrive 30 minutes early for processing if visiting in person.

Bowden Institution (Federal)

• Location: Innisfail, Alberta.
• Tip: This is a dual-security facility (Medium and Minimum). Items allowed in the “Annex” (Minimum) are different from the main building. Verify which side your loved one is on before sending property.

Troubleshooting Lost Funds or Mail

What do you do when the money doesn’t show up?

1. The “Intake Hold” If your loved one was just arrested, they are in “Intake.” During the first 72 hours, they may be moved between cells or units. Their account might not be fully active in the Synergy system yet. Wait 3 business days before panicking.

2. Name Mismatches The name on the credit card or bank account used for the deposit MUST match the name of the registered visitor/depositor. If you use a friend’s credit card on your account, the fraud filter will block the transaction.

3. The “Return to Sender” Stamp If mail is returned, check the stamp on the envelope. It usually has a checkbox indicating the reason: “Contraband,” “Unauthorized Item,” or “Inmate Released.” If they have been transferred to another facility, the mail does not automatically follow them; it is returned to you.

Summary Checklist for Families

Supporting someone inside is a logistical marathon. Use this checklist before every transaction:

• Do I have the correct Offender ID Number?
• Is the book Softcover and sold directly by Amazon?
• Did I use SynergyDeposits.ca for provincial or Money Order for federal?
• Are the photos 4×6 inches with no writing on the back?
• Is the return address clearly written on the envelope?

By mastering these rules, you ensure that your support actually reaches the person who needs it, providing a critical lifeline in a system designed to isolate.