Glossary
What is Indigent Status / Indigent Kit?
A status for incarcerated people with little or no money that can qualify them for basic free supplies, such as hygiene items.
Indigent status is for incarcerated people who have little or no money in their account. It can qualify them for basic supplies, often called an indigent kit or package, which may cover hygiene items and, in some systems, legal materials.
Each system sets its own test. A Montana Department of Corrections policy denies the status to anyone who had or spent $15 or more in the prior month, and people must reapply every month. A 2018 Prison Policy Initiative report noted Washington defined indigent as under $10 in disposable income.
In some states, supplies given to indigent people are later collected as a debt. Washington's rule says the state is reimbursed through its debt collection process. Check with the facility.
Read more
- How Does Prison Commissary Work? A Plain-English Guide for Families
- The Cost of Supporting a Loved One in Prison, and How to Stretch Your Budget