Prison Commissary Shopping: Available Items and Options
September 21, 2023 by JoyAnswer.org, Category : Corrections
What can you buy in a prison commissary? Learn about the range of products and items that inmates can buy in a prison commissary, including snacks, toiletries, and other essentials.
What can you buy in a prison commissary?
The items available for purchase in a prison commissary can vary from one facility to another, but generally, they offer a range of essential and non-essential items that inmates can buy using their own funds. Here are some common categories of items that inmates can typically purchase in a prison commissary:
Personal Hygiene Products: Inmates can buy items such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, razors, shaving cream, feminine hygiene products, and toilet paper.
Snack Foods: Commissaries often offer a variety of snacks, including chips, candy bars, cookies, instant noodles, and crackers.
Beverages: Inmates can purchase beverages such as soda, juice, coffee, tea, and powdered drink mixes.
Cigarettes and Tobacco Products: In facilities that allow it, inmates who smoke may buy cigarettes, rolling tobacco, and related products.
Stationery and Writing Supplies: Inmates often purchase pens, paper, envelopes, postage stamps, and other writing materials for correspondence and journaling.
Clothing and Footwear: Basic clothing items like socks, underwear, t-shirts, and shoes may be available for purchase, especially if they are not provided by the prison.
Electronics and Entertainment: Some commissaries offer small electronics like radios, headphones, and batteries. Inmates may also buy books, magazines, playing cards, and puzzles for entertainment.
Instant Meals: Commissaries may offer instant meal options like cup noodles, canned soups, or microwavable items that inmates can prepare in their cells.
Condiments and Spices: Inmates may buy condiments like ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, as well as spices, salt, and pepper to add flavor to their meals.
Over-the-Counter Medications: Basic over-the-counter medications such as pain relievers, antacids, cough drops, and vitamins may be available.
Toiletries and Personal Care Items: In addition to hygiene products, inmates may find items like combs, brushes, lotion, and hair care products.
Food and Grocery Items: Some commissaries offer non-perishable food items like canned goods, dried pasta, and snacks.
It's important to note that the availability of specific items can vary by prison, and some facilities may have restrictions on what inmates can purchase. Additionally, the commissary often operates as a privilege, and inmates generally need funds in their accounts to make purchases.
Inmates' ability to shop at the commissary provides them with some personal choice and control over their daily lives while incarcerated, within the bounds of institutional rules and regulations.
The items available for purchase at the prison commissary vary from state to state and from facility to facility. However, some of the most common items include:
- Food and drinks: This may include ramen noodles, instant coffee, candy, chips, cookies, and other snacks and drinks.
- Hygiene products: This may include soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, and other hygiene products.
- Over-the-counter medications: This may include ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and cold medicine.
- Writing supplies: This may include paper, pens, pencils, and envelopes.
- Stamps: Inmates can purchase stamps at the commissary to mail letters and packages.
- Other items: Inmates may also be able to purchase other items at the commissary, such as books, magazines, games, and clothing.
Some prisons also allow inmates to purchase religious items, personal electronics, and other items. However, these items are typically restricted to certain inmates or to certain facilities.
Inmates typically have limited spending money, so they must carefully consider what items they purchase at the commissary. Some prisons also have limits on the amount of money that inmates can spend at the commissary each week or month.
Here are some tips for shopping at the prison commissary:
- Make a list of the items you need or want to purchase before you go to the commissary. This will help you to avoid impulse purchases.
- Compare prices on different items. Some items may be cheaper at the commissary than at the outside store, but others may be more expensive.
- Be aware of the limits on spending money and on the types of items that you can purchase.
- Ask a staff member for help if you have any questions.
The prison commissary can be a valuable resource for inmates. However, it is important to shop wisely and to be aware of the limits on spending money and on the types of items that you can purchase.
