It is common knowledge that grocery store prices are steadily increasing, but what many people fail to realize is that prices at their local jail or prison commissary are even higher. Despite the provision of basic necessities such as food, shelter, and prison-issued clothing, inmates must pay for everything else they need. This includes personal hygiene products, additional clothing, and even communication with loved ones.
Moreover, prison-issued clothing is notoriously uncomfortable, and the quality of the food leaves much to be desired. It is no surprise, therefore, that inmates require money to attain even the most basic level of comfort while incarcerated. They need cash to purchase additional clothing and hygiene products to keep themselves clean and presentable, and to access medical care.
Communication with family and friends is also crucial for maintaining relationships and mental well-being. Inmates require funds to make phone calls, send letters or emails, and access video visitation services. The ability to communicate with loved ones can make a significant difference in their quality of life while incarcerated.
To meet these needs, many correctional facilities have established Inmate Trust Funds. These funds are managed by the facility and allow family and friends to deposit money into an inmate’s account. Inmates can then use these funds to purchase necessary items or communicate with loved ones. While it may seem odd, Inmate Trust Funds play a critical role in helping inmates maintain a basic level of comfort and connection with the outside world during their incarceration.
- What is an inmate trust fund?
- How can friends and family add money to their inmate’s account?
- What can inmates purchase with money from their trust fund?
What is an inmate trust fund?
An Inmate Trust Fund is a financial account set up for incarcerated individuals in prisons and jails. It is essentially a bank account that allows inmates to purchase items from the commissary, pay fees, and access other services while incarcerated.
When an individual is booked into a facility, the institution automatically establishes an Inmate Trust Fund account for them. Any money they have on them during the booking process is deposited into the account. Additionally, friends and family can send money to the account to provide inmates with additional funds.
Inmates who have a job while incarcerated have their wages deposited directly into their Inmate Trust Fund account. This is also the account where state prison inmates receive their monthly “state pay,” which ranges from five to ten dollars per month. Regardless of whether they have a job or not, all inmates receive this stipend to purchase basic hygiene items.
An Inmate Trust Fund is a financial account that allows incarcerated individuals to access necessary goods and services while in prison or jail. It is a critical resource for maintaining a basic level of comfort and access to communication while incarcerated.
How can friends and family add money to their inmate’s account?
Incarcerated individuals often rely on their inmate trust fund accounts to access necessary goods and services while in prison or jail. These accounts can be funded by friends and family members, but the methods for doing so vary depending on the facility.
For county jails, deposits can usually be made in person at the facility using a lobby kiosk or public window. However, most state prisons, federal prisons, and private prisons contract with third-party vendors like JPay, the GTL Connect Network, or Access Corrections to handle inmate trust funds. These vendors offer online and telephone deposit options for friends and family members.
To determine which service and methods are available for a specific facility, individuals can refer to the Prison Insight facility directory. The directory provides information on how to send money to inmates at each facility, including the types of services and fees associated with each method.
Money orders are another option for sending funds to an inmate trust fund account. Most facilities will accept money orders, but the payee can vary depending on the facility. Some require money orders to be made payable to the inmate, while others require them to be made payable to the facility.
In-person deposits and money orders typically do not have associated fees, but online and telephone deposits through third-party vendors do come with fees. These fees vary depending on the vendor and the amount of money being deposited.
Inmate trust fund accounts are a critical resource for incarcerated individuals to access basic necessities while in prison or jail. Understanding the available deposit methods and associated fees can help friends and family members make informed decisions about how to support their incarcerated loved ones.
What can inmates purchase with money from their trust fund?
When an inmate owes money to the court, victim’s compensation fund, or the facility, any money in their trust fund account will be used to pay those fees. However, most correctional facilities leave a minimum of $5 from any deposit in the account for the inmate to use to purchase necessary items.
If an inmate doesn’t owe any money, all the money deposited in their account can be used to buy items from the commissary. Although the specific items and pricing vary, most commissaries offer snack foods, cereal, ramen noodles, pasta, chicken, tuna, and drinks such as soda, tea, and coffee. Basic hygiene products like shampoo, conditioner, lotion, soap, and toothpaste are also available at every commissary. The clothing offered usually includes t-shirts, socks, sweatpants, shorts, and underwear.
In some facilities, electronics like TVs, CD players, alarm clocks, and typewriters are available, along with bathroom tools like hair dryers, curling irons, razors, and hair brushes. Correspondence items such as stamps, paper, envelopes, pens, pencils, and greeting cards are also commonly found in prison commissaries.
Inmates can also use money from their trust fund to purchase phone minutes and e-messages. In facilities where inmates have tablets, they can use trust fund money to buy music and games, movies, and even take educational courses.
If an inmate needs medical care and must pay for it, they can use their trust fund money to cover the bills in prisons and jails where medical care is not free.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Inmate Trust Fund?
An Inmate Trust Fund is a type of bank account that is set up for inmates who are incarcerated in a prison or jail. This account is used to manage any money that an inmate may have, including funds earned through prison work programs, money sent from family and friends, and any cash they had on them when they were arrested.
What can an inmate use the money in their trust fund for?
Inmates can use the money in their trust fund to purchase items from the commissary, pay for phone calls and electronic messaging, and to pay for medical expenses or other fees that they may owe to the facility, court or victim compensation funds.
How can family and friends add money to an inmate’s trust fund?
There are several ways to add money to an inmate’s trust fund account, including in-person deposits at the jail or prison, through online services like JPay or Access Corrections, or by mailing a money order to the facility. The specific methods available may vary depending on the facility, so it’s best to check with the facility directly or consult a directory like Prison Insight.
Can an inmate use the money in their trust fund to bail themselves out of jail?
No, an inmate cannot use the money in their trust fund to pay for bail or to be released from jail or prison. Trust fund money is meant to be used only for specific approved purposes, as outlined by the facility.
What happens to the money in an inmate’s trust fund when they are released?
When an inmate is released, any money remaining in their trust fund account will be given to them in the form of a check or debit card. However, if the inmate owes money to the facility or to other agencies, those debts will be deducted from their account balance before the remaining funds are disbursed.
Conclusion
Inmate trust funds are an essential part of life for incarcerated individuals. These funds serve as the inmate’s bank account while they are in prison or jail and enable them to purchase items from the commissary, pay fees, and communicate with loved ones.
Friends and family can deposit money into an inmate’s trust fund account through various methods, such as online and telephone deposits, lobby kiosks, or in-person deposits at certain retail locations. Money orders through the mail are also an option.
While some of the funds may be taken to pay for court fees, victim compensation, or facility charges, most of the money can be used by the inmate to purchase items from the commissary. These items can range from basic hygiene products to electronics and educational courses, depending on the specific prison or jail commissary.
