Iowa Code Title XVI. Criminal Law and Procedure [Chs. 687-916] § 904.702. Deductions from inmate accounts

1. If allowances are paid pursuant to section 904.701, the director shall establish an inmate account, for deposit of those allowances and for deposit of moneys sent to the inmate from a source other than the department of corrections. The director may deduct an amount, not to exceed ten percent of the amount of the allowance, unless the inmate requests a larger amount, to be deposited into the inmate savings fund as required under section 904.508, subsection 2. In addition to deducting a portion of the allowance, the director may also deduct from an inmate account any amount, except amounts directed to be deposited in the inmate telephone fund established in section 904.508A, sent to the inmate from a source other than the department of corrections for deposit in the inmate savings fund as required under section 904.508, subsection 2, until the amount in the fund equals the amount due the inmate upon discharge, parole, or placement on work release. The director shall deduct from the inmate account an amount the inmate is legally obligated to pay for child support. The director shall deduct from the inmate account an amount established by the inmate's restitution plan of payment. The director shall also deduct from any remaining account balance an amount sufficient to pay all or part of any judgment against the inmate, including but not limited to judgments for taxes and child support, and court costs and fees assessed either as a result of the inmate's confinement or amounts required to be paid under section 610A.1. Written notice of the amount of the deduction shall be given to the inmate, who shall have five days after receipt of the notice to submit in writing any and all objections to the deduction to the director, who shall consider the objections prior to transmitting the deducted amount to the clerk of the district court. The director need give only one notice for each action or appeal under section 610A.1 for which periodic deductions are to be made. The director shall next deduct from any remaining account balance an amount sufficient to pay all or part of any costs assessed against the inmate for misconduct or damage to the property of others. The director may deduct from the inmate's account an amount sufficient to pay for the inmate's share of the costs of health services requested by the inmate and for the treatment of injuries inflicted by the inmate on the inmate or others. The director may deduct and disburse an amount sufficient for industries' programs to qualify under the eligibility requirements established in the Justice Assistance Act of 1984, Pub. L. No. 98-473,  1 including an amount to pay all or part of the cost of the inmate's incarceration. The director may pay all or any part of remaining allowances paid pursuant to section 904.701 directly to a dependent of the inmate, or may deposit the allowance to the account of the inmate, or may deposit a portion and allow the inmate a portion for the inmate's personal use.

2. The director and the department shall not be liable to any person for any damages caused by the withdrawal or failure to withdraw money or the payment or failure to make any payment under this section.