Council hears testimony on Intro. 246, a bill to return unused commissary funds at release

The City Council Committee on Criminal Justice discussed Intro. 246 on Wednesday, a bill sponsored by Council Member Hudson that would require the Department of Correction to return unused commissary funds to people in custody in cash before release, ban any fee for the return, and require annual public reporting on unclaimed balances.

Committee members asked DOC how it would implement the requirement and whether the department already returns small balances. Commissioner Stanley Richards said the department's objective is clear: the funds "belong to the people who are in our care." Jim Conroy, DOC's general counsel, told the committee that "70% of the people in custody have an amount that's less than a $100," and emphasized that solutions will include better messaging to people in custody and technical fixes to make returns feasible.

Witnesses and public commenters urged stronger, immediate safeguards. Reentry advocates and people with lived experience said small amounts of money at release are critical for transportation, phones and immediate needs; several speakers recommended giving people the option of a check or a preloaded debit card and expanding eligibility so people held on misdemeanor charges are not excluded from refunds.

No vote occurred on Intro. 246 during the hearing. DOC said it was willing to collaborate with the council on operational details but did not present a binding implementation timetable during the session. The committee asked for follow-up information and an operational plan to be provided as part of continued oversight.