The Inmate Trust Fund (ITF) is a financial system responsible for managing the funds and payments of incarcerated individuals. It serves as the official bank account of inmates during their imprisonment, where their wages and other monetary transactions are deposited.
Apart from receiving deposits, the ITF also manages the disbursement of funds for the purchase of various items and services such as snacks, health and hygiene products, and postage. The ITF also handles the payment of court-ordered fines and restitution, victim compensation, and child support obligations of the inmates.
The ITF maintains accurate records of all financial transactions within the system, including deposits, withdrawals, and balances. These records are vital in ensuring accountability and transparency in the management of the funds entrusted to the ITF.
Prisoner Wages
The compensation that prisoners receive for their work is meager, making it challenging to accumulate a significant amount of money in their inmate funds. According to a 2014 report by The American Prospect, the median wage for inmates in state and federal prisons was $0.20 and $0.31 per hour, respectively.
Furthermore, in many cases, the funds in the inmate trust fund may be subject to garnishment by court orders for child support, alimony, and other expenses such as room, board, and fees. Telephone usage charges may also be deducted from the fund, which can be quite substantial, sometimes running into several hundred dollars.
Given these circumstances, many prisoners have to rely on outside contacts to deposit money into their accounts by sending funds to a specific address. This method ensures that they have access to enough funds to cover their expenses and purchase the necessary items from the prison commissary.
Check on a Deposit Made to an Inmate’s Trust Account
To verify whether the money you deposited into an inmate’s account has been received by them or not, you can access the DOC portal and input the inmate’s ID to check their account status.
How to deposit money into an Inmate Trust Fund
The procedures for making deposits into an inmate trust fund can vary across states and prison systems. However, for illustrative purposes, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) offers an example of the rules governing deposits. Deposits can be made in several ways, including through money orders, cashier’s checks, ACH transfers, Western Union, credit cards, or Mastercard.
It’s important to note that cash, personal checks, or stamps are not acceptable forms of deposit. Depending on the payment method, there are specific instructions to follow. For instance, if you choose to mail a money order, you’ll need to send it to a designated ITF office address, specifying the inmate’s name, ID, and ITF number.
It’s worth mentioning that the TDCJ has measures in place to safeguard depositors. For example, it’s advised not to send money to an inmate that you do not personally know. Additionally, sending funds to an offender as a favor to another inmate is prohibited, and extortion cases should be reported immediately.
Anyone who is facing incarceration should be familiar with the procedures and regulations surrounding the inmate trust fund in their particular facility.
For U.S. Mail
Funds to ITF can be transferred through the following sources:
Money Order or Certified/Cashier’s Check, with complete and legible remitter information included
- Attorney checks with a cover letter
- Employer checks along with pay stub
- Refund checks from Vendors
- Social security checks
- Social services checks
- Tax refunds
- Unemployment checks
- Veterans Administration checks
When making transfers to an inmate trust fund, it’s important to remember that all checks or money orders must be payable to the inmate.
Sender Information
Remitter information must include the following:
- Inmate first and last name with the middle initial
- Inmate ID number
- Inmate’s date of birth
- Sender’s first and last name
- Sender’s full address (number, Street Address, Apartment/Unit, City, State, and Zip Code)
To ensure the proper processing of your deposit, it’s crucial to include complete and legitimate information with each item you’re sending. When sending money orders or checks, do not include any additional items such as cards, letters, pictures, or notes with the remitter form, as they will not be forwarded to the inmate.
- Inmate Trust Fund
- P.O. Box Number
- State name, Zip code
Final Check Request
Former inmates have the option to withdraw any funds remaining in their inmate trust fund. To do so, they can complete a Request for Account Balance Form and mail it to the appropriate trust fund office in their state or county to request a check for their remaining funds.
Unclaimed Inmate Accounts
To claim an unclaimed inmate account, individuals can write to the ITF office and include a form for claiming the account. However, it’s important to ensure a few things while doing so.
If the individual’s name is not mentioned on the mailbox, they should include the name that appears on it in their claim. The Unclaimed Inmate Account Form must also be completed and signed by the person to whom the account belongs, as the check will only be made payable to them.
It’s important to note that any checks issued and not cashed within a year from the date of issue will be considered forfeit and voided, with the funds transferred to the Correctional General Welfare fund. Additionally, inmate numbers associated with Unclaimed Inmate Accounts will remain on the list for 12 months unless claimed.
How to qualify as a sender
Families and friends of inmates have several ways to send funds to them, which can be used to purchase items from the commissary. The commissary is a store within the correctional facility that sells various items such as stationery, hygiene products, clothing, food, snacks, and sometimes small entertainment items like books and games. Inmates may be charged an administrative fee of $100 if they are found guilty of a disciplinary infraction.
While some states do not require the sender’s name to be on the inmate’s visitors list, it is essential to check the policies of the specific facility and state before transferring any funds. This will ensure that the transfer process goes smoothly.
In summary, sending funds to an inmate’s account can be a way for families and friends to provide support and help them purchase essential items from the commissary. It is important to check the policies of the facility and state before making any transfers to avoid any issues.
Programs for inmates in Prison
State prisons offer a variety of programs to inmates, including on and off-facility work in fields such as landscaping, agriculture, warehouse management, maintenance, recycling, and transportation. Some jobs, such as automobile repair, barbering (popular among adult male prisoners), laundry, cooking, and clerical work, require specific skills before inmates can earn money.
Although the wages for these jobs are typically low, prisoners can still save up their earnings and use the funds as they see fit. While individual inmate trust funds may not have large sums of money, the combined total can add up significantly. This was highlighted by a news story in 2017, when it was discovered that almost $200,000 was missing from an inmate trust fund account in an Oklahoma county.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Inmate Trust Fund?
An Inmate Trust Fund is an account used to hold money for inmates while they are incarcerated.
How can money be deposited into an Inmate Trust Fund?
The rules for depositing money into an Inmate Trust Fund vary by state and prison system, but common methods include money orders, cashier’s checks, and electronic transfers.
What can the funds in an Inmate Trust Fund be used for?
Inmates can use the funds in their Inmate Trust Fund to purchase items from the commissary, pay for phone calls, and in some cases, pay for medical expenses.
Can inmates withdraw money from their Inmate Trust Fund?
Yes, inmates can withdraw any funds that remain in their Inmate Trust Fund upon release by completing a Request for Account Balance Form.
What happens to unclaimed funds in an Inmate Trust Fund?
Unclaimed funds in an Inmate Trust Fund may be transferred to the Correctional General Welfare fund after a specified amount of time, depending on state and prison system policies.
Are there any restrictions on what can be sent to an Inmate Trust Fund?
Yes, there are restrictions on what can be sent to an Inmate Trust Fund. For example, cash, personal checks, and stamps are typically not accepted. Additionally, letters, cards, and pictures should not be included with deposits.
Can anyone send funds to an Inmate Trust Fund?
Policies vary by state and prison system, but some facilities require that the sender be on the inmate’s visitors list in order to send funds to their Inmate Trust Fund.
Can inmates work and earn money while in prison?
Yes, many inmates can work both on and off prison facilities, and earn wages for their labor. These wages are typically deposited into their Inmate Trust Fund.
CONCLUSION
Inmate trust funds play a crucial role in the lives of incarcerated individuals. They allow prisoners to purchase necessary items from the commissary, pay for phone calls and legal fees, and even save up for their release. However, navigating the rules and regulations surrounding these funds can be complicated, as they differ between states and prison systems.
It’s important to understand how to deposit money into an inmate’s account, what can and cannot be sent, and how to withdraw any remaining funds. By following the guidelines and ensuring compliance with the rules, friends and family members can provide much-needed support for their incarcerated loved ones.
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