What Happens To Money Left Over In An Inmates Commisionary Account?
Hello Melissa. I can only answer for the state of Ohio, where I work and live. Ten days prior to the inmate’s release date, he is cut off from making any purchases in commissary. This is to allow the account to be stable and they will know exactly how much he has. If he has less than $100 on his account, it is given to him in cash in a small brown envelope by the Officer who escorts him outside the wire. If his account is over $100, the first $100 is in cash and the remaining balance is a state issued check in his name. He is allowed to keep his inmate’s ID card for identification purposes. If an Inmate dies while incarcerated, the money is NOT used for burial expenses ( as noted above me) but is put into his personal effects and returned to his next of kin listed in his personnel jacket. If he has no one listed, it is assigned to his “estate”. When an inmate dies, the family is offered to take the remains for burial. If they decline or the inmate has no one on his list, he is given a
