A. Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 11 (§ 53.1-221 et seq.) of Title 53.1, a person convicted of a felony and sentenced to confinement in a state correctional institution for one year or longer, with the written consent of the Director of the Department of Corrections, may have a bank account, free from control of all persons except the Director of the Department of Corrections and a committee appointed pursuant to the provisions of § 53.1-221. A deposit made in a bank account by a convict shall be held for the exclusive right and benefit of the convict. The check, order, or receipt of the convict shall be a complete and sufficient release and discharge for any payments made from the deposit in the bank, until the bank is notified in writing by a duly qualified committee or the Director of the Department of Corrections not to permit further withdrawals from that account.

B. Upon receipt of such written notice or commencing on the banking day following the date of receipt of such written notice, the bank shall not permit further withdrawal, except with the consent of the committee or the Director of the Department of Corrections. A bank may further accept, pay or collect items on account for proceeds of collection of a bank account of a convict, despite his conviction or confinement or the bank's knowledge thereof, until it receives written directions to the contrary from the committee of such convict or the Director of the Department of Corrections.

1982, c. 593, § 6.1-70.1; 2010, c. 794.