As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) “Assets” means property, tangible or intangible, real or personal, belonging to or due an inmate or former inmate, including income or payments to the inmate from social security, workers’ compensation, veteran’s compensation, pension benefits, previously earned salary or wages, bonuses, annuities, retirement benefits, insurance benefits or from any other source whatsoever, but does not include any of the following:
(A) The homestead of the inmate;
(B) Money received by the inmate from the state as settlement of a claim against the department by the inmate;
(C) A money judgment received by the inmate from the state as the result of a civil action in which the department was a named defendant and found to be liable; and
(D) Money saved by the inmate from wages and bonuses paid the inmate while the inmate was confined to a state correctional facility;
(2) “Commissioner” means the commissioner of correction or the commissioner’s designee;
(3) “Cost of care” means the cost to the department of correction for providing transportation, room, board, clothing, security, medical and other normal living expenses of inmates under the jurisdiction of the department, as determined by the commissioner of correction;
(4) “Department” means the department of correction;
(5) “Inmate” means any person who is confined in a correctional facility under the jurisdiction of the department;
(6) “State” means the state of Tennessee; and
(7) “State correctional facility” means a facility or institution that houses an inmate population under the jurisdiction of the department.
