Thousands Missing From CCA Jail Inmate Account

More than $17,000 has disappeared from the Tulsa Jail's inmate account, authorities said Thursday. <br><br>The money apparently was withdrawn from the Corrections Corporation of America account using

Friday, March 1st 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

More than $17,000 has disappeared from the Tulsa Jail's inmate account, authorities said Thursday.

The money apparently was withdrawn from the Corrections Corporation of America account using either telephone lines or the Internet, Sgt. Tony Cellino, supervisor of the police Fraud Unit, said. Police received the case this week, Cellino said.

CCA spokesman Chris Howard said jail officials reported the apparent theft after they noticed various transfers out of the account.

Cellino said the loss was $17,570.62. The account is through Arvest State Bank, he said.

When inmates are booked into the jail, their cash is deposited into the account. While in custody, they draw on the account for commissary purchases, Howard said. When the inmates are released, they are given checks for their balance.

â€œAt this time, we have closed that account, and we are evaluating things to see how we need to change the procedure,â€ Howard said. â€œBut this is really a global issue; anybody could be affected in the same way.â€

All inmates will be paid the money they are due, Howard said.

â€œThat was never really an issue. They will get what is coming to them,â€ he said.