Wis. Admin. Code Department of Corrections DOC 379.20 - Youth funds and accounts

(1) GENERAL POLICY. The institution shall manage youth funds and permit or forbid spending to achieve the following objectives:

(a) To promote the successful reintegration of youth into society through a policy designed to provide youth with funds available upon release that they can manage responsibly.

(b) To prevent the exchange of contraband and victimization within institutions by prohibiting youth from carrying money and by requiring all youth funds to be deposited in accounts for the youth.

(c) To require youth to pay financial obligations.

(d) To permit youth to obtain personal property in accordance with s. DOC 379.10.

(2) DEPOSIT OF MONEY. All money received by an institution for the benefit of a youth shall be credited to the youth's general account. The institution shall issue the youth a receipt for all money received.

(3) ALLOWANCE. Each institution shall deposit in each youth's account a weekly allowance in an amount to be determined by the department.

(4) TRANSFER OF MONEY. Each institution shall create a policy for transfer of money, at the request of a youth, from a general account to a savings account.

(5) CASH GRANT. Each institution shall evaluate a youth's need for a cash grant sufficient to meet the immediate, but unmet needs of the youth for the day of release from the institution. The institution shall consider the amount of money in the youth's account and the availability of other resources in determining the amount of the cash grant.

(6) RECEIPTS. Each youth shall be provided, upon reasonable request, information regarding the youth's accounts, including receipt numbers, disbursements and the balance of the account. Institutions shall provide a youth with monthly statements of the youth's accounts. If a youth has funds in an account in the institution's savings program, a statement from the financial institution that is used for the youth's savings account shall be provided at least quarterly.

(7) DISBURSEMENTS OF GENERAL YOUTH ACCOUNT FUNDS.

(a) Each institution shall follow the division's written policies and procedures for disbursement of general account funds by the institution to pay for court-ordered surcharges and restitution, institution restitution or other financial obligations owed by the youth.

(b) Each superintendent shall create a written policy and procedure that will permit youth to request the disbursement of funds in their accounts consistent with sub. (1). The policy and procedure shall be consistent with this chapter and shall include information regarding all of the following:

1. Limit and purpose of requests.

2. How and to whom requests must be made.

3. What must be included in an information request.

4. Who investigates requests.

5. Who approves or disapproves requests.

6. A requirement that all decisions shall be in writing with reasons stating the underlying facts upon which each decision is made.

7. Time limits for decisions.

(c) Youth may not open charge accounts or possess charge cards, purchase items or services on credit or installment plan, receive any property with a balance owing or enter into any agreement incurring a future financial obligation.

(d) When a youth is transferred to another institution, the youth's accounts shall be transferred to that institution within 30 days.

(e) Upon release or transfer to community supervision, youth funds may be transferred to and managed by the youth's agent or county worker.

(8) FUNDS FOR LEGAL CORRESPONDENCE AND COPYING. A youth without sufficient funds in an assigned account to pay for paper, writing instruments, envelopes, photocopy work or postage for legitimate legal correspondence may receive a loan. The loan amount shall be charged to the youth's account for future repayment while in any institution or community placement. Loans for this purpose shall be for actual institution costs and shall not exceed $100.00 per year.

(9) CANTEEN.

(a) Each institution shall provide a canteen. The superintendent shall establish, in writing, the maximum amount of money that may be spent in a specified period of time by a youth in the canteen. A current list of approved and available merchandise, including the price of each item, shall be made available to youth. Copies shall be made available to youth who do not have direct access to the canteen. A superintendent may create a policy to permit youth to purchase specified personal property that is not supplied by the canteen.

(b) Each canteen shall maintain a bookkeeping system for withdrawal of funds from the youth's general account for purchases made through the canteen. No canteen shall use money as a means of exchange for youth.

Notes

Wis. Admin. Code Department of Corrections DOC 379.20

Cr. Register, June, 2000, No. 534, eff. 7-1-00.