Resources
Glossary
Plain-language definitions of the terms that shape prison commerce, reentry and CRP.
- Average daily population (ADP)The average number of people held in a facility on a given day.
- Closed-loop store creditCredit that can only be spent inside a specific store or system.
- CommissaryThe store inside a jail or prison where incarcerated people buy food, hygiene items and supplies.
- Commissary markupThe amount a commissary price exceeds the item's cost.
- Creator revenue sharePaying incarcerated artists and makers a share of sales from work they create.
- DischargeThe formal end of a person's custody at a facility.
- FCC IPCS rulesFederal rules governing phone and video calls for incarcerated people.
- GarnishmentTaking money from a person's account to pay a debt they owe.
- Gate moneyThe cash a prison gives a person on the day they are released.
- Guaranteed incomeRegular, unconditional cash payments to a group of people.
- Inmate welfare fundA facility account, often funded by commissions, that is meant to pay for programs benefiting incarcerated people.
- Legal financial obligations (LFOs)Court-imposed fines, fees, costs and restitution tied to a criminal case.
- Matched savingsA savings program where a funder adds money for every dollar saved.
- Money transmissionMoving money on behalf of others, a regulated activity that requires a license.
- Pay-to-stayCharging people for the cost of their own incarceration.
- PIECPThe federal Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program.
- RCW 72.09.111The Washington law that sets deductions from incarcerated people's funds, including a savings account released at discharge.
- ReentryThe transition from incarceration back into the community.
- Release cardA prepaid debit card issued at release carrying a person's remaining balance.
- Release savings accountA protected sub-account that builds during incarceration and is paid out at discharge.
- RestitutionMoney a court orders a person to pay to the victim of an offense.
- Site commissionA payment a vendor makes to a facility, usually a percentage of what incarcerated people and families spend.
- Son of Sam lawA law that restricts people from profiting from stories about their crimes.
- Trust accountThe account a facility holds for each incarcerated person to receive deposits and pay for purchases.