Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Legal matters

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have any legal concerns we suggest you consult a solicitor.

Original poster

Will a solicitor hold on to a bank card for a prisoner?

33 replies

whippitwoowoo · 09/04/2021 13:20

I have my sons bank card with me whilst he is on remand. It's causing a lot of issues and i'm concerned for my family's safety. I don't want to destroy it but I just cant hold on to it anymore. I have emailed his solicitor to see if I can pay a fee for them to hold on to it until he is released ( most likely this year sometime) They are on leave so won't respond at the moment.
Do any legal people on here know if this is an option?
Thanks

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 09/04/2021 13:21

How long will he be away?
Could you destroy it and then he can order a new one when he needs it

rbe78 · 09/04/2021 13:22

What about a bank safe deposit box?

dementedpixie · 09/04/2021 13:23

I dont know if many banks provide them any more

MadeForThis · 09/04/2021 13:25

I would cut up the card and order a new one when he is released.

Will this be enough to stop the problems for your family?

CloudPop · 09/04/2021 13:25

@dementedpixie

I dont know if many banks provide them any more
Metrobank do them
dementedpixie · 09/04/2021 13:27

Don't think metrobank exists in Scotland so I wouldn't know that. Would you not need to bank with them first?

tonystarksrighthand · 09/04/2021 13:27

Cut it up and then order a new one when he needs it.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 09/04/2021 13:32

Cut it up.

But if you are concerned that having his card puts you at risk of harm, then whoever is posing that risk needs to know you don't have the card.

It sounds as though you need police advice.

Original poster
whippitwoowoo · 09/04/2021 13:40

I would prefer for the card to be held somewhere safe rather than cut it up. My first choice is a solicitor. Failing that i'm thinking I may ask the prison if I can send it to be held in his personal possessions.
I won't be able to request a new card on his release. I only have the card and PIN number. no online banking access

OP posts:
tonystarksrighthand · 09/04/2021 13:55

Can't he request a new card on his release? Why do you need to do it for him?

Original poster
whippitwoowoo · 09/04/2021 14:41

I don’t. Someone else suggested up thread.
As I said I don’t want to destroy the card.

OP posts:
F1rstt1imer · 09/04/2021 14:46

Would this help?hub.unlock.org.uk/knowledgebase/managing-external-bank-account-prison/

TokyoSushi · 09/04/2021 14:48

In that case maybe contact the prison and see if they can hold it, hope you're ok Flowers

idontlikealdi · 09/04/2021 14:55

Reading between the lines is there some kind of proceed from crime held in the account I doubt a solicitor would want to get involved.

I would speak to the prison.

TheWaif · 09/04/2021 14:57

Who knows you have the card? And how would you tell them you don't have it anymore?!

SoddingWeddings · 09/04/2021 15:02

Just send it to the prison, they can put it on his property to be given to him with any other kit on release.

Original poster
whippitwoowoo · 09/04/2021 18:18

My son knows I have the card. I can write to him to say where it’s gone. Unfortunately I’ve had to block him calling me atm.

OP posts:
JuniLoolaPalooza · 09/04/2021 18:39

Solicitors have to be very careful about holding money in behalf of clients etc so I doubt they will hold it. You can ask though!

I'm not clear why holding thr physical card would cause you problems but agree sending it to the prison to hold in his personal effects is probably the next best option.

SoddingWeddings · 09/04/2021 19:45

Ask the prison to remove your number from his PINS account. And post the card to him at the jail, they'll not give it to him on the wing, it'll just go into his property. You can include a letter with it explaining what's happening with it.

Wash your hands of the situation is my advice.

Original poster
whippitwoowoo · 09/04/2021 20:24

I don’t need to ask the prison to remove the number. I’ve blocked it so he can’t call me.
I wouldn’t be asking the solicitor to hold any money. The bank account is empty. It’s just the physical card.
It probably doesn’t make much sense without knowing the background but my question is about whether a solicitor is able to look after a bank card on behalf of a prisoner.

OP posts:
hatgirl · 09/04/2021 20:39

Solicitors will hold bank cards but whether they will hold someone else's bank cards when asked to by a 3rd party is possibly a bit more of a tricky question.

As a PP suggests surely it would make more sense for it to be sent to the prison for them to hold it?

Original poster
whippitwoowoo · 09/04/2021 21:22

I have emailed his defence lawyer and asked. If not I will post it to the prison.
I’m not 100% happy to do this due to no proof it will be put in his belongings and no one to sign it over to.

OP posts:
guiltybyassociation · 09/04/2021 21:27

If you're willing to pay a solicitor could you take out a short term safety deposit box instead?

legalseagull · 09/04/2021 21:37

I'm a defence lawyer and it's a hard no from me. We don't hold any client property. We simply don't want to be liable for it. Especially with the nature of our business we can't risk any accusations of assisting in crimes

GuiltyPleasure · 09/04/2021 21:48

Just send it into the prison. He should put in an application to receive it. It can go in his stored valuables. I work in a prison & we literally have a safe with bagged & tagged passports, bank cards etc. If you want proof of receipt, send it recorded delivery.
Just wondering why you're so concerned about your family's safety for holding a bank card??

Swipe left for the next trending thread