When it shall appear that a prisoner has a wife or dependent children or others legally dependent on him for support, the board of chosen freeholders may, in each case, pay to such dependents or to the society or institution having their care and custody all or any portion of the wages earned by the prisoner under sections 30:8-25 and 30:8-26 of this title. The board may first deduct any court costs charged against the prisoner and disburse the remainder to the several dependents under such rules and regulations as it may adopt and may designate an officer or employee of the county as its disbursing agent who in delivering such earnings to dependents may avail himself of the services of the county probation officer, overseer of the poor or any private charitable society or society for the prevention of cruelty to children.