N.Y. Correct. Law § 189
The amount of such compensation to the credit of any prisoner may be drawn by the prisoner during his imprisonment, only upon approval of the commissioner to aid dependent relatives of such prisoner, or for such other purposes as the commissioner may approve. Such disbursement to aid a dependent relative of a prisoner may be made without the consent of such prisoner upon the certificate of the commissioner of welfare, or other officer performing the duties of a commissioner of welfare, of the community in which such dependent is located. Any balance to the credit of any prisoner at the time of his conditional release as provided by this chapter shall be subject to the draft of the prisoner in such amounts and at such times as the commissioner shall approve; provided, however, that at the date of absolute discharge of any prisoner the balance as aforesaid shall be paid to such prisoner.
N.Y. Correct. Law § 189