Understanding a Loved One's Trust Account, Release Account, and Legal Loans at Taycheedah

At Taycheedah, your loved one gets an inmate Trust Account Statement every two weeks. Take time to review these - they're the paper trail showing what came in, what was spent, and what went out. Catching mistakes early is much easier than fixing them later.

A Release Account is separate from everyday spending money. Taycheedah sets one up for each person - a designated place for funds meant to help them when they get out.

Your loved one can also add to their own Release Account. This helps if they want to set aside funds specifically for release needs rather than spending everything through the regular account.

Release Account funds cover release-related costs. The handbook lists examples like bus tickets and clothes - basics that help someone transition out with transportation and essentials covered.

1. Fill out a DOC-184 for the release-related expense - this is the form used to request a disbursement.
2. Sign and date the DOC-184 - the inmate must sign it before it can be processed.
3. Get staff to sign the offender ID verified section - this staff verification is required.
4. Submit the DOC-184 directly to the Business Office - release account requests are submitted there for disbursement.

If your loved one can't cover court-related mailing and similar costs from their regular account, Taycheedah has a legal loan policy to preserve court access. The Division will loan up to $100 per year for those without sufficient funds.

1. Get the DOC-1290 form - the Loan Application and Repayment Agreement (DOC-1290) is required before any legal loan funds can be used.
2. Complete and submit DOC-1290 - the application has to be turned in as the first step in requesting legal loan funds.
3. Reapply when required - the application isn’t “one and done”; it must be redone yearly or when the person is transferred.

If you're sending money, plan around the deposit cap. Daily deposits through available options cannot exceed $2,900.00, so larger payments may need to be split across multiple days.

• ✓ Have your loved one review the Trust Account Statement every two weeks and flag anything that doesn’t look right.
• ✓ Keep copies of any DOC-184 disbursement requests, especially when Release Account funds are involved.
• ✓ Before a DOC-184 is submitted, make sure it’s signed by the inmate and the offender ID verified section is signed by staff.
• ✓ If the statement or a disbursement doesn’t add up, use the facility’s chain of command for problem-solving so concerns are documented and handled through the right channel.