Revised Code of Washington
Wash. Rev. Code § 72.09.480 (2026)
✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply to this section.
(a) "Cost of incarceration" means the cost of providing an inmate with shelter, food, clothing, transportation, supervision, and other services and supplies as may be necessary for the maintenance and support of the inmate while in the custody of the department, based on the average per inmate costs established by the department and the office of financial management.
(b) "Minimum term of confinement" means the minimum amount of time an inmate will be confined in the custody of the department, considering the sentence imposed and adjusted for the total potential earned early release time available to the inmate.
(c) "Program" means any series of courses or classes necessary to achieve a proficiency standard, certificate, or postsecondary degree.
(2) When an inmate, except as provided in subsections (4) through (11) of this section, receives any funds in addition to his or her wages or gratuities, except settlements or awards resulting from legal action, the additional funds shall be subject to the following deductions and the priorities established in chapter 72.11 RCW:
(a) Five percent to the crime victims' compensation account provided in RCW 7.68.045;
(b) Ten percent to a department personal inmate savings account;
(c) Twenty percent for payment of legal financial obligations for all inmates who have legal financial obligations owing in any Washington state superior court;
(d) Twenty percent for any child support owed under a support order;
(e) Twenty percent to the department to contribute to the cost of incarceration; and
(f) Twenty percent for payment of any civil judgment for assault for all inmates who are subject to a civil judgment for assault in any Washington state court or federal court.
(3) When an inmate, except as provided in subsection (10) of this section, receives any funds from a settlement or award resulting from a legal action, the additional funds shall be subject to the deductions in RCW 72.09.111(1)(a) and the priorities established in chapter 72.11 RCW.
(4) When an inmate who is subject to a child support order receives funds from an inheritance, the deduction required under subsection (2)(e) and (f) of this section shall only apply after the child support obligation has been paid in full.
(5) The amount deducted from an inmate's funds under subsection (2) of this section shall not exceed the department's total cost of incarceration for the inmate incurred during the inmate's minimum or actual term of confinement, whichever is longer.
(6)(a) The deductions required under subsection (2) of this section shall not apply to funds received by the department from an offender or from a third party on behalf of an offender for payment of education or vocational programs or postsecondary education degree programs as provided in *RCW 72.09.460 and 72.09.465.
(b) The deductions required under subsection (2) of this section shall not apply to funds received by the department from a third party, including but not limited to a nonprofit entity on behalf of the department's education, vocation, or postsecondary education degree programs.
(7) The deductions required under subsection (2) of this section shall not apply to any money received by the department, on behalf of an inmate, from family or other outside sources for the payment of postage expenses. Money received under this subsection may only be used for the payment of postage expenses and may not be transferred to any other account or purpose. Money that remains unused in the inmate's postage fund at the time of release shall be subject to the deductions outlined in subsection (2) of this section.
(8) The deductions required under subsection (2) of this section do not apply to any money received by the department on behalf of an inmate from family or other outside sources for the payment of certain medical expenses. Money received under this subsection may only be used for the payment of medical expenses associated with the purchase of eyeglasses, over-the-counter medications, and offender copayments. Funds received specifically for these purposes may not be transferred to any other account or purpose. Money that remains unused in the inmate's medical fund at the time of release is subject to deductions under subsection (2) of this section.
(9) The deductions required under subsection (2) of this section do not apply to any money received by the department on behalf of an inmate from family or other outside sources for the purchase of commissary items. Money received under this subsection may only be used for the purchase of items on the facility commissary list. The amount received by each inmate under this subsection may not exceed the monthly allowance for commissary purchases as allowed by the department. Funds received specifically for these purposes may not be transferred to any other fund, account, or purpose. Money that remains unused in the inmate's commissary fund at the time of release is subject to deductions under subsection (2) of this section.
(10) Inmates sentenced to life imprisonment without possibility of release or sentenced to death under **chapter 10.95 RCW receives funds, deductions are required under subsection (2) of this section, with the exception of a personal inmate savings account under subsection (2)(b) of this section.
(11) The deductions required under subsection (2) of this section do not apply to funds for subsistence issued by the department to an inmate:
(a) Upon the person's transfer from total confinement to partial confinement, or transfer from total confinement to community custody, pursuant to RCW 72.02.100; or
(b) For a furlough pursuant to RCW 72.66.070.
(12) The secretary of the department of corrections, or his or her designee, may exempt an inmate from a personal inmate savings account under subsection (2)(b) of this section if the inmate's earliest release date is beyond the inmate's life expectancy.
(13) The interest earned on an inmate savings account created as a result of the plan in section 4, chapter 325, Laws of 1999 shall be exempt from the mandatory deductions under this section and RCW 72.09.111.
(14) Nothing in this section shall limit the authority of the department of social and health services division of child support, the county clerk, or a restitution recipient from taking collection action against an inmate's moneys, assets, or property pursuant to chapter 9.94A, 26.23, 74.20, or 74.20A RCW including, but not limited to, the collection of moneys received by the inmate from settlements or awards resulting from legal action.
[ 2024 c 32 s 3; 2023 c 111 s 1; 2015 c 238 s 1; 2011 c 282 s 3; 2010 c 122 s 6; 2009 c 479 s 61. Prior: 2007 c 483 s 404; 2007 c 365 s 1; 2007 c 91 s 1; 2003 c 271 s 3; 1999 c 325 s 1; 1998 c 261 s 2; 1997 c 165 s 1; 1995 1st sp.s. c 19 s 8.]
Notes:
Reviser's note: *(1) RCW 72.09.460 and 72.09.465 were amended by 2017 c 120 ss 3 and 4, referring to "postsecondary education degree programs" and "associate degree education programs." RCW 72.09.460 and 72.09.465 were subsequently amended by 2021 c 200 ss 4 and 5, referring to "postsecondary degree or certificate education programs."
Effective date—2009 c 479: See note following RCW 2.56.030.
Findings—Intent—2007 c 483: See note following RCW 72.09.460.
Findings—2007 c 483: See RCW 72.78.005.
Findings—Purpose—Short title—Severability—Effective date—1995 1st sp.s. c 19: See notes following RCW 72.09.450.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 16
cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1998–2025 · leading case: Dean v. Lehman, 18 P.3d 523 (Wash. 2001).
Dean v. Lehman, 18 P.3d 523 (Wash. 2001). “On a motion for summary judgment the trial court held, as to the Class: (1) RCW 72.09.480 violates the uniformity requirement of article VII, section 1 of the Washington Constitution; (2) deductions for the victims’ compensation fund and costs of incarceration violate the…”
Anderson v. State, Dept. of Corr., 154 P.3d 220 (Wash. 2007). “[3] Mandatory deductions from those sources are governed by RCW 72.09.480. ¶ 12 These statutes were enacted and amended over the course of about 15 years between 1989 and 2003.”
Anderson v. Dep't of Corr., 159 Wash. 2d 849 (Wash. 2007). “3 Mandatory deductions from those sources are governed by RCW 72.09.480. ¶12 These statutes were enacted and amended over the course of about 15 years between 1989 and 2003.”
In Re Pierce, 268 P.3d 907 (Wash. 2011). “RCW 72.09.480 ¶ 17 While RCW 72.09.111 authorizes deductions from funds an inmate earns through the institutional work program, RCW 72.”
In re the Pers. Restraint of Pierce, 173 Wash. 2d 372 (Wash. 2011). “RCW 72.09.480 ¶17 While RCW 72.09.111 authorizes deductions from funds an inmate earns through the institutional work program, RCW 72.”
Paul A. Wright, on Behalf of All Similarly Situated Persons v. Chase Riveland, 219 F.3d 905 (9th Cir. 2000). “MOSKOWITZ, District Judge: This case involves a challenge to Washington statute RCW 72.09.480 (the “Statute”), which authorizes a deduction of 35% from all funds received by inmates from outside sources.”
In Re the Pers. Restraint of Metcalf, 963 P.2d 911 (Wash. Ct. App. 1998). “111, effective June 30, 1994);* 1 the other *171 requires deductions from all other funds received (RCW 72.09.480, effective June 15, 1995). 2 For the wage deduction statute, the total amount of the deductions varies from 5 to 35 percent, depending on the class of work program…”
Mitchell v. Washington State Inst. of Pub. Policy, 225 P.3d 280 (Wash. Ct. App. 2009). “receives any funds from a settlement or award resulting from a legal action, the additional funds shall be subject to the deductions in RCW 72.”
State Treasurer v. Abbott, 660 N.W.2d 714 (Mich. 2003). “A Washington statute provided When an inmate ...”
Willoughby v. Dep't of Labor & Indus., 147 Wash. 2d 725 (Wash. 2002). “RCW 72.09.480. Consistent with this policy of limiting prisoners’ access to money while imprisoned, the Department of Corrections treats currency, personal checks, and money orders as contraband.”
Dean v. Lehman, 18 P.3d 523 (Wash. 2001). “She represents a class of similarly situated persons (Class) challenging the validity of RCW 72.09.480, which mandates the deduction of 35 percent of all funds received by prison inmates.”
State of Washington v. Daniel M. Campbell (Wash. Ct. App. 2018). “RCW 72.09.480(2). Some deductions do not apply to funds an inmate receives as settlements or awards resulting from legal action.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 72.09.480(1)(a) — 2 cases
Dean v. Lehman, 18 P.3d 523 (Wash. 2001). “On a motion for summary judgment the trial court held, as to the Class: (1) RCW 72.09.480 violates the uniformity requirement of article VII, section 1 of the Washington Constitution; (2) deductions for the victims’ compensation fund and costs of incarceration violate the…”
Dean v. Lehman, 18 P.3d 523 (Wash. 2001). “She represents a class of similarly situated persons (Class) challenging the validity of RCW 72.09.480, which mandates the deduction of 35 percent of all funds received by prison inmates.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 72.09.480(2) — 10 cases
Anderson v. State, Dept. of Corr., 154 P.3d 220 (Wash. 2007). “[3] Mandatory deductions from those sources are governed by RCW 72.09.480. ¶ 12 These statutes were enacted and amended over the course of about 15 years between 1989 and 2003.”
Anderson v. Dep't of Corr., 159 Wash. 2d 849 (Wash. 2007). “3 Mandatory deductions from those sources are governed by RCW 72.09.480. ¶12 These statutes were enacted and amended over the course of about 15 years between 1989 and 2003.”
Dean v. Lehman, 18 P.3d 523 (Wash. 2001). “On a motion for summary judgment the trial court held, as to the Class: (1) RCW 72.09.480 violates the uniformity requirement of article VII, section 1 of the Washington Constitution; (2) deductions for the victims’ compensation fund and costs of incarceration violate the…”
In Re Pierce, 268 P.3d 907 (Wash. 2011). “RCW 72.09.480 ¶ 17 While RCW 72.09.111 authorizes deductions from funds an inmate earns through the institutional work program, RCW 72.”
In re the Pers. Restraint of Pierce, 173 Wash. 2d 372 (Wash. 2011). “RCW 72.09.480 ¶17 While RCW 72.09.111 authorizes deductions from funds an inmate earns through the institutional work program, RCW 72.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 72.09.480(2)(c) — 2 cases
In Re Pierce, 268 P.3d 907 (Wash. 2011). “RCW 72.09.480 ¶ 17 While RCW 72.09.111 authorizes deductions from funds an inmate earns through the institutional work program, RCW 72.”
In re the Pers. Restraint of Pierce, 173 Wash. 2d 372 (Wash. 2011). “RCW 72.09.480 ¶17 While RCW 72.09.111 authorizes deductions from funds an inmate earns through the institutional work program, RCW 72.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 72.09.480(2)(e) — 2 cases
In Re Pierce, 268 P.3d 907 (Wash. 2011). “RCW 72.09.480 ¶ 17 While RCW 72.09.111 authorizes deductions from funds an inmate earns through the institutional work program, RCW 72.”
In re the Pers. Restraint of Pierce, 173 Wash. 2d 372 (Wash. 2011). “RCW 72.09.480 ¶17 While RCW 72.09.111 authorizes deductions from funds an inmate earns through the institutional work program, RCW 72.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 72.09.480(3) — 6 cases
Dean v. Lehman, 18 P.3d 523 (Wash. 2001). “On a motion for summary judgment the trial court held, as to the Class: (1) RCW 72.09.480 violates the uniformity requirement of article VII, section 1 of the Washington Constitution; (2) deductions for the victims’ compensation fund and costs of incarceration violate the…”
Paul A. Wright, on Behalf of All Similarly Situated Persons v. Chase Riveland, 219 F.3d 905 (9th Cir. 2000). “MOSKOWITZ, District Judge: This case involves a challenge to Washington statute RCW 72.09.480 (the “Statute”), which authorizes a deduction of 35% from all funds received by inmates from outside sources.”
Mitchell v. Washington State Inst. of Pub. Policy, 225 P.3d 280 (Wash. Ct. App. 2009). “receives any funds from a settlement or award resulting from a legal action, the additional funds shall be subject to the deductions in RCW 72.”
Anderson v. State, Dept. of Corr., 154 P.3d 220 (Wash. 2007). “[3] Mandatory deductions from those sources are governed by RCW 72.09.480. ¶ 12 These statutes were enacted and amended over the course of about 15 years between 1989 and 2003.”
Anderson v. Dep't of Corr., 159 Wash. 2d 849 (Wash. 2007). “3 Mandatory deductions from those sources are governed by RCW 72.09.480. ¶12 These statutes were enacted and amended over the course of about 15 years between 1989 and 2003.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 72.09.480(5) — 2 cases
In Re Pierce, 268 P.3d 907 (Wash. 2011). “RCW 72.09.480 ¶ 17 While RCW 72.09.111 authorizes deductions from funds an inmate earns through the institutional work program, RCW 72.”
In re the Pers. Restraint of Pierce, 173 Wash. 2d 372 (Wash. 2011). “RCW 72.09.480 ¶17 While RCW 72.09.111 authorizes deductions from funds an inmate earns through the institutional work program, RCW 72.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 72.09.480(6) — 3 cases
Anderson v. State, Dept. of Corr., 154 P.3d 220 (Wash. 2007). “[3] Mandatory deductions from those sources are governed by RCW 72.09.480. ¶ 12 These statutes were enacted and amended over the course of about 15 years between 1989 and 2003.”
Anderson v. Dep't of Corr., 159 Wash. 2d 849 (Wash. 2007). “3 Mandatory deductions from those sources are governed by RCW 72.09.480. ¶12 These statutes were enacted and amended over the course of about 15 years between 1989 and 2003.”
State of Washington v. Daniel M. Campbell (Wash. Ct. App. 2018). “RCW 72.09.480(2). Some deductions do not apply to funds an inmate receives as settlements or awards resulting from legal action.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 72.09.480(7) — 3 cases
Anderson v. State, Dept. of Corr., 154 P.3d 220 (Wash. 2007). “[3] Mandatory deductions from those sources are governed by RCW 72.09.480. ¶ 12 These statutes were enacted and amended over the course of about 15 years between 1989 and 2003.”
Anderson v. Dep't of Corr., 159 Wash. 2d 849 (Wash. 2007). “3 Mandatory deductions from those sources are governed by RCW 72.09.480. ¶12 These statutes were enacted and amended over the course of about 15 years between 1989 and 2003.”
Eddie Velez v. Dep't of Corr. (Wash. Ct. App. 2025).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 72.09.480(8) — 2 cases
Anderson v. State, Dept. of Corr., 154 P.3d 220 (Wash. 2007). “[3] Mandatory deductions from those sources are governed by RCW 72.09.480. ¶ 12 These statutes were enacted and amended over the course of about 15 years between 1989 and 2003.”
Anderson v. Dep't of Corr., 159 Wash. 2d 849 (Wash. 2007). “3 Mandatory deductions from those sources are governed by RCW 72.09.480. ¶12 These statutes were enacted and amended over the course of about 15 years between 1989 and 2003.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 72.09.480(l)(b) — 1 case
Paul A. Wright, on Behalf of All Similarly Situated Persons v. Chase Riveland, 219 F.3d 905 (9th Cir. 2000). “MOSKOWITZ, District Judge: This case involves a challenge to Washington statute RCW 72.09.480 (the “Statute”), which authorizes a deduction of 35% from all funds received by inmates from outside sources.”
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