Mendocino County Sheriff's Office

Corrections

Funding and Donations

Funding

Inmate Services and Programs are funded entirely by money from the "Inmate Welfare Fund". The Inmate Welfare Fund (IWF) is a special trust account administered by the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office. Money is deposited into this account from: donations; profits from the sale of commissary; and commissions received from the contracted jail telephone provider.

The law governing the use of the Inmate Welfare Fund is contained in 4025 of the California Penal Code.

"(e) The money and property deposited in the inmate welfare fund shall be expended by the sheriff primarily for the benefit, education, and welfare of the inmates confined within the jail. Any funds that are not needed for the welfare of the inmates may be expended for the maintenance of county jail facilities. Maintenance of county jail facilities may include, but is not limited to, the salary and benefits of personnel used in the programs to benefit the inmates, including but not limited to, education, drug, and alcohol treatment, welfare, library, accounting, and other programs deemed appropriate by the sheriff. An itemized report of these expenditures shall be submitted annually to the board of supervisors."

The jail accepts donations of new and used magazines, books (soft cover only), board games, puzzles and computers. If you wish to donate material to the jail for inmate use please contact the Inmate Services Coordinator.