What Happens to an Inmate's Money at Rolette County Jail (Turnkey, Indigent Status, and Commissary)

When someone is booked into Rolette County Jail, any paper money found on them at admission (bills only) doesn’t stay in their pocket or property bag for later use. It gets deposited into a Turnkey Corrections account so the inmate can use that balance for commissary purchases.

During intake, the jail issues the inmate a Turnkey Corrections account number and a PIN. That account information is what lets them access their funds using the kiosks provided at the facility - so they can check their balance and use the money that was deposited for commissary.

Commissary is tied to the Turnkey balance. At Rolette County Jail, commissary is available to inmates who have funds in their Turnkey account, since that’s the account the jail uses for purchases.

After items are ordered, distribution isn’t instant. Commissary orders are distributed twice a week as the facility receives the items, so the exact timing can depend on when the shipment comes in.

Rolette County Jail uses a simple dollar threshold for indigent status at booking. If an inmate has a balance of less than $1.00 in their possession when they’re booked in, the facility considers them indigent, and the RCLEC will help with basic living needs. This is an internal jail policy - being “indigent” under this policy does not mean the person is indigent in the eyes of the court.

Practical Next Steps

• ✓ Call the jail to verify the current money and commissary procedures before you send funds.
• ✓ Ask what deposit options are available (for example: an online vendor system, a kiosk, or a lobby drop-off).
• ✓ Confirm what payment types are accepted and whether there are limits or holding times on deposits.
• ✓ Ask how your loved one can check their balance and shop once the money is posted.
• ✓ If you’re trying to help with basics, ask how indigent assistance works in practice and what it covers.

If you’re unsure where to start, contact the facility directly and ask for the most up-to-date instructions for adding money, using Turnkey, and timing commissary distribution. It’s also worth confirming what the jail provides for inmates who qualify as indigent under the facility policy, so you know what your support should focus on.