Commissioner's update for offenders and their families: March 31, 2025

As I have shared before, it is important for you to accumulate some savings while you are incarcerated and plan for your potential release one day. Given that costs have been going up, I want to ensure that you are thinking about having some money on hand that can help with your successful reintegration.

In September 2023, CSC made many policy changes related to offender money and canteens. In particular, the minimum balance required in your savings account was to be gradually increased from $80 to $200, over three years.

The second yearly increase for the required minimum balance starts today, March 31, 2025. The increase is from $100 to $150.

As per Commissioner’s Directive 860, 90% of your income, following deductions, will continue to be deposited into your current account. The remaining 10% will be deposited into your savings account.

This change does not have an impact on your access to approved spending, such as canteen.

Please also note that this change may cause delays when you start requesting fund transfers from your savings account to your current account.

 

“A little progress each day adds up to big results.” - Anonymous