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County jail looks at issuing debit cards instead of checks
by Courtney Bacalso
Midland Reporter-Telegram
By Courtney Bacalso
Staff Writer
County officials hope to streamline its financial services by using three kiosks inside the county jail.
The Commissioners' Court voted unanimously Monday to approve an agreement with EZ Card and KIOSK, LLC to have them bring their machines into the jail facility.
"It will be no cost to the county except for electricity to run the kiosks," Sheriff Gary Painter said. "And it will save the county a lot of money."
Currently, inmates hand over their cash to county deputies when being booked into jail. When inmates are released, the county writes a check to reimburse them.
According to the company's Web site, writing the check costs the county $1.35 for each check. And majority of those checks are lost each year, costing the facility $12 for each lost check.
"This would keep the money out of our hands," Painter said. "We handle about $3 million in cash each year."
With the use of the kiosks, the inmates load their money in the machine that will keep it on the books for them. Family members also can use two of the kiosks, which will be located in a common area, to put money into an inmate's account for when that person is released.
When the inmates are released, they will be issued a debit card.
The cards can be used at more than 900,000 ATMs, Painter said.
According to the site, this also will make it easier for the inmate to claim his or her cash because the person will not need a bank account to cash a check. The person will be able to pay bills online, over the phone or at payment centers using the card.
The court approved it contingent on contract negotiations by County Attorney Russell Malm. County Judge Mike Bradford did not attend the meeting.
Courtney Bacalso can be reached at c.bacalso@mrt.com.
Staff Writer
County officials hope to streamline its financial services by using three kiosks inside the county jail.
The Commissioners' Court voted unanimously Monday to approve an agreement with EZ Card and KIOSK, LLC to have them bring their machines into the jail facility.
"It will be no cost to the county except for electricity to run the kiosks," Sheriff Gary Painter said. "And it will save the county a lot of money."
Currently, inmates hand over their cash to county deputies when being booked into jail. When inmates are released, the county writes a check to reimburse them.
According to the company's Web site, writing the check costs the county $1.35 for each check. And majority of those checks are lost each year, costing the facility $12 for each lost check.
"This would keep the money out of our hands," Painter said. "We handle about $3 million in cash each year."
With the use of the kiosks, the inmates load their money in the machine that will keep it on the books for them. Family members also can use two of the kiosks, which will be located in a common area, to put money into an inmate's account for when that person is released.
When the inmates are released, they will be issued a debit card.
The cards can be used at more than 900,000 ATMs, Painter said.
According to the site, this also will make it easier for the inmate to claim his or her cash because the person will not need a bank account to cash a check. The person will be able to pay bills online, over the phone or at payment centers using the card.
The court approved it contingent on contract negotiations by County Attorney Russell Malm. County Judge Mike Bradford did not attend the meeting.
Courtney Bacalso can be reached at c.bacalso@mrt.com.
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