frequent questions
Inmate Finances
Note: You can access the applicable DOC policies by clicking on Policies under the About Us tab.
1.1.B.2 Offender Accounts and Financial Responsibility
1.4.G.2 Inmate Release Procedure
1.5.A.2 Private Sector Prison Industries Employment
1.5.A.5 Work Release
1.5.D.4 Inmate Access to Telephones
1.2.E.1 Inmate Commissary
Each offender has an opportunity to establish subaccounts to deposit funds received while incarcerated.The subaccounts that can be utilized are listed in DOC policy 1.1.B.2 Offender Accounts and Financial Responsibility.
Offenders may receive payroll checks, business checks, U.S. Treasury issued checks and tribal checks after signing an Admission Document. Offenders can also receive cashier's checks or money orders (MUST be in U.S. dollars and issued by a bank located in the U.S) for deposit through the Offender Banking System.Money orders from those individuals on the offender's approved visit list, their attorney or others approved by the warden or designee All personal checks, cash or checks/funds from unauthorized sources received at a DOC institution money orders received for an offender will be rejected and returned to the sender.
The DOC does not accept monies intended for deposit into an offender's phone account or tablet account. All such funds must be sent directly to the vendor.
Fixed obligations, including debts related to crimes committed, court-ordered fines, costs and fees, disciplinary sanctions, restitution and victims compensation as well as costs incurred, will be paid from funds received.
What about Government Issued Funds?
Tax returns are not exempt from garnishment and will be processed as a normal incoming mail deposit. Any stimulus or other federal payments will adhere to federal guidelines and could be subject to garnishment. Funds received directly from the U.S. Treasury in the forms of payment identified in DOC Policy 1.1.B.2 are exempt from garnishment. These forms of payment include but are not limited to Veterans Benefits and Social Security Benefits.
How can I send money to an inmate?
Offenders may have funds electronically deposited into their respective accounts by individuals on their approved visit list or their attorney as on-line deposits through JailATM.com.
Personal checks and cash are not accepted and will be returned to the sender.
What happens to money the inmates earn while working?
Earnings/wages received for an offender participating within institutional support, work release or the Prison Industries Enhancement Certification Program will be deposited into the offender's subaccounts through the Offender Banking System.
What types of accounts are available to inmates?
There are several types of accounts, including Spend, Savings, Frozen, Specialty, Private Sector Family, Work Release Expense and Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program. See DOC Policy 1.1.B.2 for additional information on the various accounts.
Do inmate accounts earn interest?
No. Offender accounts are non-interest bearing accounts.
Who keeps track of account balances?
The Offender Banking System is in place to keep track of inmate bank account balances. Offenders are notified of any funds deposited in their subaccounts. Offenders can view account balances, obligations, debts and financial transactions via their tablets or a kiosk.
What happens to the money when an inmate leaves the prison system?
An offender's subaccounts will be closed only upon discharge or conditional release (parole or suspended sentence), death, escape or transfer to an out-of-state facility. This does not apply to temporary absence or out-to-court transfers. The balance of the subaccounts of the inmate (spend, savings, family support, specialty, work release expense and frozen) will be included. Credit obligations will be paid from eligible remaining funds, not including exempt funds in the specialty subaccount. After gate money and transportation provisions are calculated, a debit card and/or check will be issued to the inmate for the entire amount of funds remaining in the subaccounts.
Offenders must contact the vendor to request remaining funds from their tablet or telephone accounts.
For inmates releasing to parole supervision, any unsatisfied obligations will be transferred to Parole Services and included in their release plan.