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Prisoner Monies

Prisoner monies are held in trust using a computerised accounting system known as SPEND, which is used to effectively record, store, transfer and control prisoners' monies. All transactions relating to prisoner monies are conducted through SPEND.

All money in a prisoner's possession on reception is paid into the Prisoners Money Account. Any money received on behalf of a prisoner, or payments a prisoner receives for care of children living with them in prison, are paid into this account. All transactions involving this account are recorded, and a monthly summary of transactions is made available to prisoners on request.

Earnings

Prisoners are paid for work undertaken in work programs. Prisoners are paid at three different levels calculated according to the degree of responsibility, the complexity of the task, the skills required and the hours of duty involved. Prisoners also receive payment of up to $6.80 per day for participation in a prison program, which can include educational programs.

Compulsory savings

An amount equal to 20% of money earned by prisoners is withheld from the prisoner for Compulsory Savings and only made available to the prisoner upon release from prison.

There are of circumstances where a prisoner may be allowed to use some of their compulsory savings funds which include:

1. where a prisoner has at least $500 of compulsory savings and the spend would not cause the prisoner's savings to fall below $500, they may be given permission to access money for costs related to their upcoming release. For instance to pay for travel cost to take part in the Custodial Community Permit Program, or expenses to enable seeking or taking up employment after release
2. where a prisoner has at least $1,000 in compulsory savings and the spend would not cause the prisoner's savings to fall below $1,000, they may be given permission to access the money for significant family, legal or community obligations. For example a prisoner may wish to contribute to the cost of their child's education, or assist with repairs to the family home.

Can visitors bring money for a prisoner?

Visitors may bring some money for prisoners, but it will be paid into their prisoner monies account, and certain guidelines must be followed.

Money that belonged to the prisoner on reception and money received on behalf of the prisoner are referred to by Corrections Victoria as ‘Private Monies'. Money deposited by relatives and friends is private money, and the maximum private money a prisoner can receive into their account is $140 per calendar month.  There is no limit to the amount that can be held in the prisoner monies account. Money received for the care of dependent children living with their parents in Victorian Prisons is excluded from this monthly limit.

Prisoners may apply to make a one-off special purchase, for which more than $140 would need to be credited to their account, for instance the purchase of a computer for educational purposes.

Prison management may also allow a prisoner to receive additional private money to enable ISD and STD telephone calls so families and social networks can stay in contact.

Visitors wishing to leave money for a prisoner should be registered on the prisoner's valid visitors list and satisfy prison identification procedures. Visitors will be issued with a receipt which shows the prisoner's name and Corrections Reference Number (CRN), the amount deposited, name and address of the visitor and name and signature of the officer receiving the money. The prisoner is informed of the amount deposited.

The only visitors, other than those on the prisoner's valid visitors list, who could deposit money into a prisoner's account, would be a representative from an accredited charitable organisation or a prison chaplain.

Can money be sent to a prisoner?

Monies received via the mail must include the sender's name and address. Money will usually only be accepted via the mail from persons on the prisoner's valid visitors list. A receipt will be issued for money sent, detailing the prisoner's name and CRN, the amount deposited, name and address of the sender and name and signature of the receiving officer. The prisoner is informed of the amount deposited.

If money received through the mail, such as a cheque or money order, does not have a sender name and address, then it is placed with the prisoner's property until the prisoner is discharged. If identification of the sender arrives after the money has been received, and the sender is a person from whom this money would normally be accepted, it will be credited to the prisoner's account. If the money is from another source, the identifying details will be used to return the money to the sender.

There are only two exceptions where money may be accepted from persons not on the prisoner's valid visitors list. The first is where the prisoner has no-one recorded on their visitors list. The second is where the money is sent from interstate or overseas and clearly identified with the senders' details, and it is deemed that the prisoner would be seriously disadvantaged if the monies were not accepted.

Can money be taken out of a prisoners account?

Regulations allow that prison management may deduct money from a prisoner's account for specific purposes. For instance, money may be deducted to cover the cost of replacement or repair of prison property or clothing that is damaged or lost by the wilful act of the prisoner.

If as a result of a prison hearing a fine is imposed on a prisoner, then authorisation is given for the amount to withdraw the amount from the Prisoners Money Account. Where a prisoner is required to pay a fine or restitution, and does not have enough money in their account to cover the amount, the prisoner's expenditure may be restricted for a specified period. The amount available to a prisoner on restricted spend is $10 per week, which enables the purchase of essential toiletries and reasonable communication with family members, such as telephone calls.

Acceptable forms of monies

Monies for prisoners deposited either in person or via the mail, are only acceptable in the following forms:

• Australian legal tender (currency)
• bank cheque
• Australia Post money order
• cheques from state and federal government departments and agencies
• cheques from VACRO (Victorian Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders)

A Trust Account cheque from a firm of solicitors is recognised as an acceptable form of monies, subject to the following criteria:

• that a solicitor from the legal firm is registered as a 'professional visitor'
• that Trust Account cheques from a firm of solicitors are accepted only with the approval of the prison management
• that all identification processes are satisfied.