What If You Ordered Commissary But Got Released Early? How Refunds Work at Lawrence County Jail

At Lawrence County Jail, you can move your release funds to a MasterCard debit card while processing out at Booking. If your account has more than $3.95, you can choose the card option - there's a $3.95 fee per card loaded at the booking kiosk. Here's where commissary refunds get tricky. If you leave after placing an order but before it's delivered, your balance gets transferred to the debit card before the order is officially refunded. That refund won't show up on your card. It's processed later, after the card has already been loaded.

Think you might have a commissary refund coming after release? Fill out the Release Authorization Form before you walk out. At Lawrence County Jail, you complete this form as you exit Booking - it tells staff where to mail a check once a late refund processes. This is especially important if you're released before delivery. Your account balance moves to a release debit card, and when the commissary refund shows up afterward, the form ensures your money reaches you by mail. Release checks go out every Tuesday, and there's a $2.00 check fee.

• ✓ Write a current, reliable mailing address on the Release Authorization Form when you exit Booking
• ✓ Confirm you want any later refund issued by check (not added to the debit card)
• ✓ Plan for the $2.00 check fee
• ✓ Expect release checks to be processed and mailed each Tuesday

When an order gets returned because someone was released before delivery, the refund processes within two business days after the vendor or warehouse receives it back. That's why there's often a gap between your release day and when the refund actually exists to pay out.

1. Check whether a commissary order is still pending - If an order was placed and delivery hasn’t happened yet, assume a refund may be coming later.
2. Decide how you want release funds paid out - If you expect a refund to arrive after you leave, complete the Release Authorization Form as you exit Booking so a check can be mailed once that refund is processed.
3. If you choose a release debit card, budget for the card fee and limits - If you have more than $3.95 in your account, you can transfer funds to a MasterCard debit card at release, and there’s a $3.95 per-card charge. Each card can hold up to $9,500.
4. Don’t count on a late refund landing on the card - If the balance is transferred to the debit card before the refund is processed, the refund won’t be included on that card; it can only be mailed by check if you completed the Release Authorization Form at exit.