Property of deceased inmates shall be released to the proven
administrator or executor of the deceased inmate and can be picked up by such
person from the institution where the property is stored. Such person shall
sign a receipt for the property received. Except for identity documents, as
defined in
103 CMR
403.14, any property belonging to a deceased
inmate which remains unclaimed after one year, or to an inmate on escape for
more than one year, shall be disposed of in accordance with the following
procedures:
(1) The Superintendent
shall notify the listed next of kin of the former inmate, in writing, that said
property shall be disposed of if not claimed within 30 days of the date of the
letter.
(2) If no claim is received
within the specified time period, a special board, composed of the
Superintendent of the institution where the property is being stored, and a
representative of the Department designated by the Commissioner, shall
ascertain whether the unclaimed property has any sale value.
(3) If the property is determined to have
sale value, the special board shall solicit offers for purchase from three
reputable dealers in like property and shall sell the property to the highest
bidder. The proceeds of any such sale shall be deposited into the inmate's
account.
(4) If the property is
determined not to have sale value, or if no offer is received in response to
solicitation for bids as described, the special board may dispose of such
property in such a manner as deemed appropriate.
(5) A complete record of disposal for
unclaimed property shall be completed and signed by the members of the special
board and filed with the former inmate's institutional records.