Prison Life - Trust Account

Prison life

Each inmate has a non-interest bearing trust account where funds are deposited. Withdrawals may be made for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to:

  • Postage
  • Recreation user fees
  • Education
  • Health care co-payments
  • Store purchases
  • Legal financial obligations as ordered by the county of conviction
  • Child support enforcement
  • Debts

Inmates are not allowed to directly or indirectly transfer funds to another inmate’s account or exchange funds or items of value with staff, other inmates, volunteers, or sponsors.

Inmates may not withdraw moneys to establish or make deposits to accounts, investments, certificates of deposit, or credit accounts outside of the Department’s inmate trust account.

Inmates are not allowed to bank through the mail or conduct monetary transactions except through their inmate trust account.

All non-exempt deposits are subject to legally mandated deductions as stated in RCW 72.09.480. These deductions are:

  • 20 percent for payment of legal financial obligations for all offenders who have legal financial obligations owing in any Washington state superior court.
  • 5 percent to the public safety and education account for the purpose of crime victims’ compensation.
  • 10 percent to a department personal inmate savings account.
  • 20 percent for any child support owed under a support order.
  • 20 percent to the department to contribute to cost of incarceration.

Legal financial obligations (LFO) are forwarded to the county of conviction on a semi-monthly basis. LFO is ordered on an inmate’s Judgment and Sentence.

Crime Victims’ Compensation (CVC) is sent to the Department of Labor and Industries to assist victims of crime. CVC is not associated with an inmate’s Judgment and Sentence.

Savings is held in an inmate’s sub-account within the Trust Accounting System and is not accessible until his or her time of release, unless an emergent request is made by the inmate and approved by Department management.

Child support is forwarded to the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Division of Child Services (DCS) on a monthly basis.

Cost of Incarceration (COI) is sent to Correctional Industries, Department of Corrections, to support the work programs designed to assist offenders with job opportunities. COI is not associated with an inmate’s Judgment and Sentence.

Additionally, some or all of the following deductions may apply depending on each inmate’s individual obligations and the balance remaining after the statutorily mandated deductions are withheld:

  • 20 percent to the inmate’s Department of Corrections debt.
  • 20 percent to the Prison Litigation Reform Act

May I send money to an inmate?

Yes, and here's how.

When are deposits credited to an inmate’s trust account?

If using the United States Postal Service option, funds are typically posted to the inmate’s trust account within three working days of the date on the mailroom receipt. If using the Western Union Quick Collect option, funds are typically posted to the inmate’s trust account within 24 hours of receipt at a Western Union point-of-sale location. Deductions are taken at the time of posting. The balance that remains is available for the inmate’s use.