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If you were previously incarcerated at the Harris County Jail in Texas, you may be entitled to claim any leftover commissary money that was not returned to you upon your release.
Up to $1 Million Commissary Money From Unclaimed Jail Funds (PHOTO: WPTZ)
Up to $1 Million Commissary Money
Recent audits revealed that the Harris County Sheriff’s Office was holding approximately $1 million in commissary money that had not been returned to formerly incarcerated individuals.
To determine if you have unclaimed funds and how to retrieve them, there are a few steps you can follow based on the amount of time that has passed since your release.
According to Houston Landing, if it has been less than three years since your release, you can call the jail’s Inmate Bank during business hours at 346-286-1120. Provide them with your “system person number” (SPN), and they will inform you if the Sheriff’s Office is holding any commissary money for you. If there are funds to collect, you will be directed to pick up a debit card loaded with your commissary money at the Joint Processing Center located at 700 N. San Jacinto St., Houston, TX 77002.
If it has been more than three years and you had less than $100 in unclaimed commissary money, visit the Harris County Treasurer’s Office unclaimed funds website at https://treasurer.harriscountytx.gov/Unclaimed-Funds. Use the search tool on the website to find your name, and then contact the Treasurer’s Office at 832-927-6865 for assistance.
If it has been more than three years and you had more than $100 in unclaimed funds, visit the Texas unclaimed funds website at https://www.claimittexas.gov/. Enter your name in the search tool, and once you locate your name and address, click the “CLAIM” button for each unclaimed commissary money. Follow the steps provided, including providing personal information such as your email address, phone number, address, and Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number. You will receive an email with a document that needs to be printed, filled out, scanned, and uploaded using the link shared in the email.
If you need additional assistance in locating your commissary money, you can call the Harris County Jail’s Inmate Bank at 346-286-1120.
The unclaimed funds in the jail resulted from individuals opening accounts during their incarceration to cover expenses such as commissary items, legal fees, and personal bonds. While efforts were made to remind individuals to collect their remaining funds upon release, many people overlooked or missed this step.
County Auditors Discovered Commissary Money
County auditors discovered the unclaimed commissary money and recommended that appropriate funds be returned to former inmates as required by statute. The auditors also suggested that the Sheriff’s Office develop written procedures for the monitoring, review, and issuance of commissary money held after an inmate’s release. Since the audit, a portion of the funds has been transferred to county and state unclaimed property divisions, but some commissary money remains with the Sheriff’s Office.
By following the outlined steps, individuals can reclaim their unclaimed commissary money and receive the funds rightfully owed to them.
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