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What Happens To My Money When I Arrive At Prison?

When you enter prison, many aspects of your daily life change—including how your money is managed. You won’t be able to keep cash with you while in custody, but the prison will hold your money in secure accounts and allow you to access it in a controlled manner. This guide will explain what happens to your money upon arrival, how your finances are managed, and how your family and friends can send you funds during your time in prison.

Arriving to prison with cash

Upon arrival at a prison, any cash you have on you will be recorded by prison staff and placed into a personal account set up for you by the facility. This process is overseen by reception staff, and you should have the opportunity to check and sign a record of the amount before the funds are transferred. This ensures transparency and allows you to confirm the accuracy of the cash handling process.

The money that is placed in this prison account cannot be withdrawn in cash by the prisoner. Instead, you will have access to a portion of it through controlled spending systems that are in place within the prison environment. These funds are managed for your use in purchasing goods from the prison shop (also called the canteen) and to make approved payments.

Can family or friends send me money?

Yes, your family or friends can send you money while you are in prison. This money will be kept for you in an account called your private cash account, and it won’t be handed to you directly in cash. Instead, the money will be held securely by the prison, and you can transfer a portion of it to your spending account to use for purchasing items or making approved payments.

There are several ways family and friends can send money to you, including through online payment systems or traditional methods like postal orders or cheques.

Online Payments
For most public prisons, family and friends can send money online through a government-approved website. The sender will need your date of birth and your prison number to complete the process. It generally takes around 3 working days for money to be credited to your prison account.They can visit www.gov.uk/send-prisoner-money to make an online payment.

Postal Orders and Cheques
Sending money via postal orders or cheques is another option. These should be made payable to “HM Prison Service” and should include a note indicating the amount enclosed, along with the sender's name, address, your name, and your prison number. Although cash can be sent, cheques and postal orders are generally considered more secure and less likely to be lost or stolen during transit.

What are the differnt types of accounts?

In prison, there are three main types of accounts that will hold your money. Each serves a specific function and has its own rules regarding access and spending.

Spending Account
This account holds money you earn while in prison, for example, through work or other approved activities. It can also receive transfers from your private cash account, allowing you to spend money in the prison shop or for other permitted purchases. You can carry over unspent money from week to week, but there are limits on how much you can have in your spending account at any given time.

Private Cash Account
This account stores money sent to you by family or friends. You cannot use this money directly; instead, you must transfer a portion of it into your spending account. How much you can transfer each week depends on your Incentives and Earned Privileges (IEP) Level, as well as whether you are convicted or unconvicted.

Here’s a breakdown of the weekly transfer limits:
- Unconvicted prisoners can transfer up to £25.00.
- Convicted prisoners can transfer up to £5.00 if on the Basic IEP level, £55.00 on Standard, and £60.00 on Enhanced.
- Foreign national prisoners may have special allowances for extra money to be used for overseas phone calls.

Savings Account
Some prisons also allow you to open a savings account where you can transfer funds from your spending account. However, no interest is paid on savings held in prison, so it may be better to hold large sums of money in an external bank account if possible. You will not be able to transfer money from your private cash account directly to your savings account.

How do you check your balance?

You are entitled to request account statements to track the funds in your prison accounts. These statements are available through the prison's internal management system, Prison-NOMIS, and can be provided weekly. Residential staff should also assist you in obtaining this information.

If you have any concerns about your account or need to check a balance, prison staff should be able to access your details and give you an up-to-date summary.

How can you spend money in prison?

Each week, you can use the funds in your spending account to purchase items from the prison shop (also known as the canteen). This includes essentials such as food, toiletries, batteries, and other small personal items. The range of products varies by prison, and if you need specific products that aren’t usually stocked—like specialty skin or hair care products—you can request for these to be ordered.

In some cases, you may be allowed to purchase items from external companies via mail order. If you need to make a large purchase, like a stereo system, you will likely need special permission from prison staff.

Working and earning money in prison

Working in prison provides inmates with the opportunity to earn money, gain valuable skills, and occupy their time productively. Jobs in prison can include tasks such as cleaning, laundry, kitchen work, or manufacturing. The wages earned are typically low, but they can be used to purchase items from the prison canteen or saved for use after release. In addition to the financial benefits, having a job can also improve a prisoner's chances of gaining early release or transferring to a less restrictive facility, as it demonstrates good behavior and a willingness to contribute to the prison community.

Can you send money out of prison?

Yes, you can send money out to family or friends, or to approved suppliers, as long as it’s within the prison’s guidelines. The amount of money you can send and the process for doing so is governed by prison rules, and you may need to make an application to send larger sums.

Managing external finances

While in prison, you will face restrictions in managing your external finances. For example:

- You cannot use credit cards, internet banking, or telephone banking.
- Chequebooks and bank cards will be held by the prison as valuable property, and you must make a formal request to access them.
- Applying for loans is not permitted, with the exception of loans for education courses.

Despite these restrictions, there are certain financial activities you can still undertake:
- You can settle your financial affairs, such as paying off debts or managing investments.
- If you don’t have a bank account, the prison may help you open one.
- You may make payments to reduce outstanding debt, such as mortgage or rent payments.
- At the discretion of the Governor, you can purchase premium bonds using funds from your spending or private cash accounts.

Can you carry on business affairs in prison?

If you are convicted, you are not allowed to conduct business transactions while in prison. However, the prison may allow you some time to settle business matters or close down a business. If you are unconvicted, you are allowed to manage a business from prison, although you will not be given any special facilities to help with this.

Managing money while in prison is much different from outside life, but there are systems in place to ensure that your financial needs are met. Your money will be kept in secure accounts, and you’ll have access to it under certain guidelines, whether it’s funds you bring in with you, money earned while in custody, or money sent by loved ones. By understanding the rules and procedures, you can better navigate the financial aspects of prison life and plan for your release.