Inmates store millions in accounts with little oversight: Report

Prosecutors worry US Bureau of Prisons lax policies on inmate accounts encourage crime inside and out of prisons.

The United States Bureau of Prisons (BOP) allows prisoners to hold large sums of money – in some cases up to $200,000 – in government-run accounts that face little scrutiny and are shielded from most court orders, according to a report by the Washington Post published Wednesday. There “are more than 20 inmate accounts holding more than $100,000 each for a total exceeding” $3m, a person with knowledge of the accounts who spoke on the condition of anonymity told the Post. These accounts effectively allow inmates to skirt child support, alimony and other debts to which they are subjected.