[Individuals Released From NYC Jails] Leave $3M in Commissary Accounts, Are Not Offered Refunds

Approximately 180,000 [individuals incarcerated in city jails] have forgotten to ask for [commissary funds] back when they are released and have no idea how to reclaim the money.

“This is money that very poor families squeeze out of survival budgets to help loved ones locked up,” said JoAnne Page, president of the Fortune Society. “If the government or a bank has unclaimed funds, there’s a notice that you get,” she added. “Why is there no effort to give these people notice?”