The $200 per month figure is reasonable for covering an inmate's basic needs inside. That amount handles phone calls, commissary essentials like food and hygiene products, and leaves a small buffer for other incidentals. It is a generous but not excessive level of support for someone at a Pennsylvania state facility. The loan is a serious problem and needs to be addressed directly. Taking out a loan at 27% annual interest to fund an inmate's commissary account is not sustainable and frankly...

The prison provides the basics necessary to do their time without any problems. However, they will not be able to make telephone calls or purchase anything at the commissary. We would guess that a good percentage of inmates get money sent in for the little extras that help make their time easier to do. If you can send money, it would be appreciated but do not send money you do not have (like taking a loan or putting it on your credit card).  ...

First, you arrive at booking in handcuffs and are then are processed by a member of the sheriff or police staff. Processing includes fingerprinting and a mugshot. You are stripped bare and checked for concealed contraband. You are then showered and given a set of stand-issue prison clothes and some form of a bedroll and are then placed in a holding cell. The next move is a placement somewhere in the facility (depending on your crime and criminal history profile) and a semi-permanent bunk...