Jail Commissary and Telephone/Tablet Fund Transparency
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office maintains separate accounts for revenues generated through jail commissary sales and telephone/tablet services. These are separate revenue sources and are subject to different rules governing how the funds may be used.
All expenditures from both funds are reviewed and approved within the Sheriff’s Office and processed through Monroe County’s established purchasing and financial-control procedures. Financial records are maintained within the County’s financial system and are subject to applicable County procurement and audit requirements.
This page is provided to give the public a clear and accessible accounting of how these funds are used.
Incarcerated Individual Welfare & Rehabilitation
What is the Commissary Fund?
Commissary Fund 9618 receives revenue generated through the sale of commissary items to incarcerated individuals.
Under 9 NYCRR § 7016.1, prices for commissary items are established so the commissary operation is self-supporting and may provide a modest return above costs.
New York State regulation specifically requires that:
Profits resulting from commissary sales be maintained separately and used only for the welfare and rehabilitation of incarcerated individuals.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office follows this regulation.
A 2023 County internal audit found that commissary money was used for the benefit of incarcerated individuals, that expenditures were properly authorized, and that requisitioned items went through the standard Monroe County purchase-order process.
How May Commissary Funds Be Used?
Commissary funds may be used only for purposes supporting the welfare and rehabilitation of incarcerated individuals. Examples include educational and rehabilitative programming, religious services and materials, recreation, reentry services, books and publications, programming supplies, and other authorized services or equipment benefiting the incarcerated population.
How Are Purchases Approved?
Requests for expenditures are reviewed within the Jail Bureau and require appropriate supervisory and administrative approval. Once approved by the Sheriff’s Office, purchases are processed through Monroe County purchasing procedures and the County financial system.
Commissary financial records are maintained to substantiate purchases and expenditures and are subject to periodic audit.
Incarcerated Individual Services & Jail Operations
What is the Telephone/Tablet Fund?
Telephone/Tablet Fund 9620 is a separate account that receives revenues associated with telephone and tablet services provided to incarcerated individuals.
Fund 9620 is not revenue generated from commissary sales.
Telephone/tablet revenue is a separate revenue source and is separately accounted for by Monroe County.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has established policy governing the use of Telephone/Tablet Fund 9620. Under that policy, expenditures must:
Further the rehabilitation or welfare of incarcerated individuals or otherwise improve operations of the Jail/Correctional Facility.
Federal Communications Commission rules separately regulate rates and provider-to-facility payments associated with incarcerated people's communications services.
How Are Telephone/Tablet Funds Used?
Consistent with Sheriff’s Office policy, Fund 9620 may support incarcerated-individual services, programming, safety and security, technology, equipment, facilities, professional services, and other expenditures that improve the operation of the Jail/Correctional Facility as deemed appropriate by the Jail Superintendent with approval of the Sheriff. All expenditure request are reviewed and approved by the Jail Superintendent and the Undersheriff.
How Are Purchases Approved?
Telephone/Tablet Fund expenditures are subject to the same formal review and purchasing controls as other authorized Sheriff’s Office expenditures.
Requests are reviewed within the Jail Bureau, approved through the Sheriff’s Office administrative process, and then processed through Monroe County Purchasing and the County financial system. Disbursements and financial records are maintained in accordance with County procedures.