Maghaberry Prison

Prisoners Personal Cash

New arrangements for the management of inmates personal cash accounts came into effect on 14 April 2008.

IPC accounts will be limited to a maximum of £500.

Money for prisoners will only be allowed to be left at visitors reception by a visitor to that particular prisoner within the limits of the prisoners account.
▪ No money will be accepted at visitors reception from any person not being a visitor to the prisoner.
▪ A visitor means a 'domestic visitor' and not a person visiting in an official capacity.

Prisoners will not be allowed to pass any money out of the prison to any person without the written permission of the Governor.
▪ The passing out of any money by a prisoner will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances. It is likely that any such cases will be minimal. The prisoner must make a request in writing to the Governor who will consider the request on its merits.
▪ Reasons of family occasions, such as birthdays, christenings, communion or confirmations will not be a sufficient reason to pass money out.

No money for any prisoner will be accepted by post.
▪ Money includes cash, cheques, postal orders and money orders.

Cheques - these will be returned to the sender or to the bank if no sender details are enclosed with the cheque.

Cash - If cash is received by post with Senders details enclosed, a letter will be sent to the sender telling them the money is being held for a period of 3 months and can be collected from the visits reception. Sender to bring appropriate ID. If money is not collected within 3 months, it will be lodged to Governor's fund. A letter will also be issued to the prisoner stating that money has been received and is being held for collection and will not be credited to their IPC account.

If cash is received with no sender details, then the cash will be lodged to the Governor's fund. A letter will be issued to the prisoner stating that money has been received and is not being credited to their IPC account.

Governor's discretion in cases of genuine hardship.
It is accepted that there may be cases of genuine hardship where for example a prisoner does not have domestic visits and therefore no means of having money left in to his account. In such cases the Governor may consider a request from the prisoner to be allowed to have a sum of money (agreed) posted into the prison.

The Governor will only agree to such requests in exceptional circumstances. It is important that this does not in any way become a routine practice. The prisoner must make any such request in writing to the Governor. Where the Governor, after consideration, agrees to such a request the following will apply:

▪ The amount to be posted in will be approved by the Governor.
▪ The Governor will record his approval in writing and a copy will be provided to the Cashier/IPC clerk.
▪ The prisoner will be advised of the Governors decision and informed that either a cheque or postal order should be sent. Not cash.
▪ The cheque or postal order should be made payable to the Governor.
▪ The cheque or postal order should be sent to the prison with the senders and prisoners details enclosed. There should be no other enclosures i.e. personal letters.
▪ Once received at the Prison the cheque or postal order will be recorded at the point of opening and forwarded to the Cashier/IPC clerk for crediting to the prisoners account.