Getting Your Money Back When You're Released: Debit Cards vs. Checks at Lawrence County Jail

Commissary funds at Lawrence County Jail can only go to the account holder, and only at release. Want the balance released to someone else? You'll need a court order.

If your account has more than $3.95 when you're released, you can load those funds onto a MasterCard release debit card at the Booking kiosk on your way out. Balances of $3.95 or less don't qualify for the card option.

The debit card has a $3.95 fee per card. If you need multiple cards, that fee applies to each one.

Each release debit card maxes out at $9,500. If your balance is higher, the funds get split across multiple cards.

Need the money fast? This is the debit card's main advantage. Funds are usually available within 10 minutes of swiping at the Booking kiosk.

Prefer a check? You'll need to request it on your way out by completing the "Release Authorization Form" in Booking. Checks are processed and mailed every Tuesday, so how quickly yours arrives depends on what day you're released.

Checks come with a $2.00 fee.

Here's where people get caught off guard: pending commissary orders. If you placed an order that hasn't been delivered yet and you load your balance onto a debit card at release, the refund for that order won't be on the card.

To get that refund, complete the "Release Authorization Form" in Booking before you leave. This tells the facility where to mail the check once the refund processes. Checks go out every Tuesday.

Decision Checklist

• ✓ Pick a release debit card if you have more than $3.95 left at release and want the money available fast (it’s usually available within 10 minutes of swiping at the booking kiosk).
• ✓ Budget for the debit card fee: it’s $3.95 per card funded at the booking kiosk.
• ✓ If the balance is large, remember the per-card limit is $9,500. If you have more than $9,500 at release, the funds can be issued on multiple cards (and each card has its own $3.95 fee).
• ✓ If you are transferring to another correctional facility, it’s not recommended to move your balance onto a debit card. Not all facilities can transfer debit card funds into a new trust fund account.
• ✓ If you placed a commissary order but leave before it’s delivered, don’t assume a debit card will capture the refund. If your balance is transferred to a debit card at release, that order’s refund will not be included on the card.
• ✓ To get a check (including a later refund check for an undelivered commissary order), complete the “Release Authorization Form” as you exit Booking.
• ✓ Plan around check timing and cost: forms are processed and checks are mailed each Tuesday, and there is a $2.00 check fee.