Released Inmates’ Debit Card Class Action Settlement Approved

A federal court approved the $550,000 settlement of a class action brought by former inmates of certain Ohio correctional facilities who claimed they were issued unsolicited, fee-bearing debit cards to hold the money they’d surrendered.

Stored Value Cards Inc. and Republic Bank & Trust Co. respectively managed and sponsored a program under which some Ohio law enforcement facilities would put cash held by incoming inmates into a trust account. The inmates would then be given prepaid debit cards with the balance of their funds when they were released.

These cards charged fees for monthly maintenance, ATM usage, and balance inquiries. ...