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Property and money on transfer or release

What happens to property on a transfer and how to file a claim for lost or damaged items (with deadlines), what happens to account money at release, gate money, what happens after a death in custody, and how families can help. Official sources only.

This guide does not promise any outcome; the agency or court decides. Official claims are free.

Coverage

Full sections verified against official sources: Idaho, Colorado, Nevada, Utah and federal (BOP). Other states link to their official agency.

Transfers: protect the property

  • Property is inventoried at each transfer. Ask for a copy and check it before you sign; note anything missing or damaged right then.
  • Rules limit what can travel; extra items may have to be mailed home at the person's cost or may be thrown out. Ask for the deadline and the mailing option.
  • Keep receipts for commissary purchases and approved packages: they prove ownership.

Claims: act within the deadline

  • Deadlines run from 6 months to one year depending on the system (see below). File the internal grievance first if the rules require it.
  • Write down dates, form names and replies. Use the printable worksheet at the end.

Release debit cards

  • Many systems pay the account balance on a prepaid debit card. Some cards have charged fees for withdrawals, balance checks, inactivity or replacement.
  • Before using it, read the fee sheet that comes with the card. Ask whether you can take out the full balance for free (for example, by check or a transfer), and do it soon.
  • If the card is lost or fails, call the number on the card; the prison usually can't replace it.

After a death in custody

  • Property and money usually go to the person's estate or to family under the state's inheritance law. Ask the facility in writing for a property list and the account balance.
  • Expect to be asked for a death certificate and proof that you can act for the estate. For small amounts, ask the county probate court about a small-estate affidavit.
  • See the "Who do I contact?" guide for notifications and records requests.

How families can help

  • Before release, ask how the balance will be paid and whether there will be gate money. Help plan transportation and a mailing address.
  • If there is a transfer, ask the person for their list of what they had, to compare.
  • If money turns up years later, search the state's unclaimed property program.
  • Never pay anyone to "recover" money: official claims are free.

By system (official sources)

Idaho

Last checked: 2026-10-22

Property on a transfer

  • Personal property is handled under IDOC's property SOP (320.02.01.001): items are inventoried, and excess or unauthorized items may be disposed of. Ask for a copy of the inventory at every move and check it before signing.
  • The trust account follows the person to the new facility.

Claims for lost or damaged property (deadlines)

  • Claims for lost or damaged property against the state go under the Idaho Tort Claims Act: file in writing with the Idaho Secretary of State within 180 days from when the loss happened or reasonably should have been discovered (Idaho Code 6-905). The state Risk Management Program has the claim form.
  • IDOC's Access to Courts SOP treats tort claims as legal claims residents can get forms and help for.

Account money at release

  • At release, the remaining trust balance is given on a release debit card up to $9,000; any amount above that comes as a check (IDOC Resident Funds SOP 114.024). Outstanding expenses are taken out first.
  • Payroll earned in the last month can be added to the card or mailed as a check to an address the person gives.
  • IDOC says its release card is activated free, has no maintenance or inactivity fees, and can be closed out for a paper check at no cost. If there is a problem with the card after release, the person contacts the card company.
  • Balances left unclaimed can be sent to the Idaho State Treasurer as unclaimed property 2 to 5 years after release.

Gate money

  • We found no Idaho law that requires gate money. Ask the case manager early about any reentry help, and save from wages and family deposits for release.

After a death

  • When a resident dies, the trust account is frozen within one business day. After deposits and expenses are processed, any balance is sent where the legal paperwork directs (IDOC SOP 114.024). Ask the facility what documents it needs (for example, a death certificate and proof you can act for the estate).

Official sources: IDOC Resident Funds SOP 114.024 (PDF) (opens in new tab) · IDOC: Release Pay debit cards (opens in new tab) · Idaho Code 6-905 (opens in new tab) · Idaho Risk Management: Tort claims (opens in new tab) · IDOC Access to Courts SOP (PDF) (opens in new tab)

Colorado

Last checked: 2026-10-22

Property on a transfer

  • Property is governed by CDOC AR 850-06 (Offender Property). Report lost, stolen or damaged property right away and keep copies of inventories and receipts.
  • The inmate account can be used at any facility the person is assigned to.

Claims for lost or damaged property (deadlines)

  • Inside, use the CDOC grievance procedure (AR 850-04) as soon as possible; property is a grievance subject and the deadlines are short.
  • A claim for money against a state agency needs a written notice of claim within 182 days after the injury was discovered (C.R.S. 24-10-109). Missing it usually ends the claim.

Account money at release

  • CDOC says all funds in the inmate account are released to the person when they leave for community corrections, parole or discharge. Ask the facility before release how the balance will be paid.

Gate money

  • Now (C.R.S. 17-22.5-202): people discharged get $100; people paroled may get up to $100, and any difference is credited to a parole account. Someone who already got it and returned on a parole violation does not get it again.
  • Starting January 1, 2027 (HB26-1256): everyone released from a CDOC facility gets a $100 release allowance that cannot be reduced for restitution, fees, transportation, clothing or other costs.

After a death

  • We have not verified a CDOC rule for property and funds after a death. Ask the facility in writing, and see "After a death in custody" above.

Official sources: CDOC: Inmate money and banking (opens in new tab) · CDOC policies (AR 850-06, 850-04, 200-01) (opens in new tab) · HB26-1256 (release allowance) (opens in new tab) · C.R.S. Title 24 (24-10-109) (PDF) (opens in new tab) · C.R.S. Title 17 (17-22.5-202) (PDF) (opens in new tab)

Nevada

Last checked: 2026-10-22

Property on a transfer

  • NDOC AR 711 covers inmate property: it is inventoried, secured, and moved with the person or to storage. Check the inventory at each transfer.

Claims for lost or damaged property (deadlines)

  • File an administrative claim with NDOC within 6 months of the loss or damage (NRS 209.243). Under AR 740 this goes with a grievance, using the Inmate Property Claim form (DOC-3026).
  • A lawsuit for lost property must wait until that claim process is finished, and is dismissed if the claim was not filed on time (NRS 41.0322).

Account money at release

  • NDOC must pay the remaining account balance at release (NRS 209.241), but money left in the account may first repay the Department for release costs such as transportation and gate money (NRS 209.2475).
  • Account money that is never claimed is sent to the State of Nevada as abandoned property (NDOC Offender Banking).

Gate money

  • At release by expiration, pardon or parole, the Director may give up to $100 based on need, and provides release clothing, transportation to the residence or place of conviction, an NDOC photo ID on request, and a 30-day supply of prescribed medication (NRS 209.511).

After a death

  • We have not verified an NDOC rule for property and funds after a death. Ask the facility in writing, and see "After a death in custody" above.

Official sources: NRS Chapter 209 (209.241, 209.243, 209.2475, 209.511) (opens in new tab) · NRS 41.0322 (opens in new tab) · NDOC administrative regulations (700 series) (opens in new tab) · NDOC Offender Banking (opens in new tab)

Utah

Last checked: 2026-10-22

Property on a transfer

  • Keep the property receipt for every item. If the person moves to a unit that does not allow some property, it goes to the property room with a deadline to send it out; after that the state disposes of it. Visitors can drop off approved property on the posted schedule.

Claims for lost or damaged property (deadlines)

  • The handbook says the state may accept limited liability for property in its possession, and none for property in another person’s possession. Start with the grievance process (Level 1 within 14 days).
  • A notice of claim against the state under the Governmental Immunity Act must be filed within one year (Utah Code 63G-7-402), with the attorney general. The state has 60 days to respond before a lawsuit can be filed.

Account money at release

  • The account balance is paid at release by check or debit card (UDC policy DG10). Balances of $5 or less stay in the account and go to Unclaimed Property after a year. People with detainers get a check or have it mailed to family.

Gate money

  • Gate money is $50 or $100, screened by the Pre-Release office; the person or family cannot request it. $100 requires all three: not a parole violator, paroling to a Community Correctional Center, and an average account balance under $100 for the last 6 months.
  • Gate money is taken back if the person returns on a violation within 30 days (DG10). Release day also includes a 30-day medication supply and a free temporary State ID or voucher.

After a death

  • We did not find a published UDC procedure for releasing property and money after a death in custody. Ask the facility in writing, and see the Utah courts’ self-help pages on small estates and probate.

Official sources: UDC: Utah Correctional Facilities Handbook (PDF) (opens in new tab) · UDC policy DG10 (inmate accounts) (opens in new tab) · Utah Code Title 63G, Chapter 7: Governmental Immunity Act (PDF) (opens in new tab) · Utah Courts: probate self-help pages (opens in new tab)

Federal (BOP)

Last checked: 2026-10-22

Property on a transfer

  • BOP PS 5580.10: property is inventoried on form BP-A0383 at transfer and release. Authorized property is shipped to the new institution; some items may be mailed at the person's cost. Excess property left at a transfer can be treated as abandoned.
  • The trust account balance and debts move automatically to the new institution (PS 4500.13).

Claims for lost or damaged property (deadlines)

  • For property lost or damaged by staff negligence, file form BP-A0943 within one year (31 U.S.C. 3723, BOP PS 5581.01). The most that can be paid is $1,000. Include the date, place, what happened, witnesses, proof of ownership and the amount.
  • A family member can file for the person only with the person's written permission.

Account money at release

  • At release, personal funds other than the gratuity and travel money are paid on a release card (PS 4500.13).
  • Funds of people who leave without a forwarding address go to a "whereabouts unknown" process; claims for money deposited six or more years earlier are not paid. Give a mailing address before release.

Gate money

  • BOP provides release clothing and transportation to the release destination, and may give a gratuity based on need: up to $500 for offenses on or after Nov. 1, 1987 (18 U.S.C. 3624(d); 28 CFR 571.20; PS 5873.06). The trust balance is considered.

After a death

  • Authorized property is sent to the next of kin under state law; if two shipping attempts fail, it is treated as abandoned (PS 5580.10).
  • Account money is paid only to the estate's legal representative or under the inheritance laws of the person's last state of residence. Claims go to the institution, sometimes with form SF-1055 and a death certificate (PS 4500.13).

Official sources: BOP PS 5580.10, Inmate Personal Property (PDF) (opens in new tab) · BOP PS 5581.01, Inmate Property Claims (PDF) (opens in new tab) · Form BP-A0943 (PDF) (opens in new tab) · BOP PS 4500.13, Trust Fund/Deposit Fund Manual (PDF) (opens in new tab) · BOP PS 5873.06, Release Gratuities (PDF) (opens in new tab) · 28 CFR 571.20 (opens in new tab)

Other states

We haven't verified these rules for these states yet. Ask the agency about property inventories, the claim form and its deadline, how the balance is paid at release, and whether there is gate money:

Printable worksheet: lost or damaged property

Name: ______________________ ID: ______________________

Sending / receiving facility: ______________________ / ______________________

Date of transfer or loss: ______________________

What is missing or damaged (description, value, proof of purchase): ____________________________________________

Signed inventory (date and form number): ______________________

Witnesses: ______________________

Claim or grievance filed on: ______________________ with: ______________________ · Deadline: ______________________

Reply received on: ______________________

General information, not legal advice. No affiliate links or sponsors. Who do I contact? Pick the problem and the state · Child support during incarceration (changing the order, arrears, passports)

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