Inmate Fund Fees

I correspond with my niece, who is in the women’s prison in Chowchilla. I was upset to learn recently that the state is imposing a 22% “penalty/restitution” fee on any money sent to the inmates. While it was judged fair to charge such a penalty from the inmate’s work earnings, I certainly don’t believe it is for any monies sent to them by their relatives. Who authorized this? Why?

JOHN M. CONCILIO

Garden Grove