Inmates Can Have Money Withheld to Pay Fines and Fees

An information-sharing agreement is reached between the state Supreme Court and the regional jail system, and it makes sure inmates pay their court-ordered fines and fees. The Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority will be able to check whether new inmates owe magistrate court costs.To address the debts of inmates, a jail can withhold money in their possession and take up to one-half of funds deposited in an inmate’s commissary account. The courts can then redistribute the money to areas that rely on these fines and fees. Court-ordered assessments pay for security measures and improvements at county courthouse facilities, partially reimburse counties and municipalities for inmate jail costs, and help pay off regional jail construction bonds.