INMATE PROPERTY

Prior to bringing an inmate into County Jail, arresting officers are required to inventory the arrestee’s personal property and heat-seal it into a bag. In most cases, this makes it unnecessary for jail personnel to handle the inmate’s property. After the inmate’s cash has been accepted, it is placed in an account available to the inmate for commissary and other purposes. Any unused funds are returned to the inmate upon discharge from custody.

Prior to being assigned to a housing unit, inmates are required to exchange their personal clothing for jail clothing. Their personal clothing is bagged and stored securely until their release. No bulk property (backpacks, sleeping bags, bicycles, etc.) is accepted at any County Jail. Questions concerning the location of such property should be directed to the arresting agency.

Inmates receive basic hygiene items free of charge when first entering Sheriff’s custody. While they have less than $2.00 on their accounts they will continue to receive these items. When they have money on their account they may choose to purchase additional items as well as limited amounts of food items through the jail commissary.


MONEY ACCOUNTS

When an individual is booked into the County Jail, an account is opened to safeguard that person’s money as long as the inmate remains in custody. While in custody, inmates can use the money “on their books” to make purchases from the Sheriff’s Commissary. Items available through the commissary include food items, toiletry articles, writing materials, postage, and pre-paid telephone cards. Although the Sheriff’s Department provides for all basic nutrition and hygiene needs, permitting inmates to purchase items from the commissary provides a level of variety not otherwise available to them.

In order to allow inmates continued access to the commissary during their incarceration, funds may be added to their accounts at any time. Cash deposits are preferred, and may be made to an inmate’s account at the Information Office of any Sheriff’s detention facility. Certain checks for amounts not exceeding $100 may also be used to make deposits to an inmate’s account. This may be accomplished with a cashier’s check from a United States bank, or with a money order issued by the U.S. Postal Service, Western Union, a credit union, bank, savings & loan, etc. Government instruments such as payroll and retirement checks can also be deposited to an inmate’s account, as well as checks issued by the State Prison System or a San Diego County Probation Department Honor Camp. Please note that personal checks and multiple party checks are not accepted. Deposits will not be accepted to an inmate’s account if it would cause the account balance to exceed $200. (An inmate is limited to spending a maximum of $75 each week on commissary items.)

Funds may be deposited to an inmate’s account through the mail; however, please do not send cash by mail. When inmates receive an acceptable check or money order through the mail, they have the option of cashing it for deposit to their account, or retaining it in their property. If they elect to cash it, they endorse the check or money order and jail staff will process it for deposit. There is a waiting period of five working days for the check to clear, after which time the funds will be available for use. When inmates choose not to cash a check or money order, or if it is not honored, the check is placed into their property. All checks and money orders received through the mail for amounts greater than $100, as well as all personal checks, will be refused for deposit and placed instead into the inmate’s property. All unused funds, as well as all items stored in property, will be returned to the inmate at the time of release from custody.