Commissary — Ask the Inmate
The commissary is one of the most important parts of daily life inside a correctional facility. It is where inmates purchase food to supplement institutional meals, personal care items, stationery, postage, and in many facilities access to phone credits and entertainment. For families on the outside understanding how commissary works, how to put money on an account, and what items are available can make a meaningful difference in their loved one's daily comfort and wellbeing. This section covers how commissary accounts work across federal and state facilities, how much money can be deposited and how often, what items are typically available, how commissary functions as informal currency inside facilities, and how to send money efficiently using approved services. The practical knowledge here comes from people who lived inside and know firsthand what a well-funded commissary account means to someone doing time. See also our sections on Money Transfer, Send Inmate Money, and Prison Food.
Related InmateAid Services
It depends on the security classification of the prison/detention center. Some are strict no-contact visitations and others have a picnic-like setting where you can interact and have light contact, even enjoying snacks from a variety of vending machines.
Read moreBuenas tardes Jossie, La unica manera de que le podamos enviar el dinero es emitiendo una facture en su cuenta de InmateAid que una vez que usted page, nosotros nos encargamos de enviarle el dinero a la persona su esposo. Si usted quisiera mandar por ejemplo $100 tendria que pagar $31.63 de los cargos de transaccion y envio, esta seria la forma mas rapida de ayudarla. Por favor dejenos saber si quiere hacer el tramite. Gracias y que tenga buen
Read moreIntake is where the people coming into a facility are first processed. They are usually there for several hours to several days. Once they are designated, they are usually moved to a more "permanent" housing facility.
Read moreBuen dia Jossie, Haciendo una revision de su cuenta nos dimos cuenta de que el dinero nunca le ha llegado a su esposo porque la tarjecta a no ha sido autorizada. Si puede enviarnos otra informacion de tarjeta de credito podemos enviar el dinero inmediatamente. Que tenga un buen dia!
Read moreYes, FCI Danbury is a low-security federal prison, even after the transition to housing male inmates. The facility is part of the Federal Bureau of Prisons and includes: A low-security institution (main facility) An adjacent minimum-security camp What that means: The low-security side has controlled movement, dorm-style or cubicle housing, and regular programming The camp is more relaxed, with fewer restrictions and more freedom of movement So your brother going to Danbury will be entering a lower custody environment, not a high-security prison. Conditions
Read moreFinding commissary pricing before deciding how much to send is a smart first step, and the availability of that information depends heavily on the type of facility your inmate is in. Federal Bureau of Prisons facilities are the most transparent. Most post their commissary lists directly on the BOP website or on the individual facility page, and InmateAid maintains commissary information as well for reference. Here is a commissary price list for FCI Allenwood. State prison systems vary
Read moreGracias por sus amables palabras sobre el sitio. Aquí están las respuestas a sus preguntas. En cuanto al tiempo que debe cumplir, una sentencia federal de 24 meses requiere que el recluso cumpla el 85% del tiempo. Eso equivale a aproximadamente 20 meses. Si su pareja no tiene antecedentes penales y mantiene un buen comportamiento dentro de la prisión, no debería perder ningún crédito de buena conducta. MCC San Diego es una instalación federal, por lo que aplican las
Read moreTime in “the hole” (also called SHU or segregation) depends on the disciplinary charge and the hearing outcome. There is no fixed length. Typical ranges: Minor infractions: a few days to a couple of weeks Moderate offenses: several weeks Serious violations: a few months or longer in some cases The decision is made by a disciplinary hearing officer, and behavior while in segregation can also affect how long the stay lasts. Can they still write letters? Yes. Inmates in
Read moreThis is a legitimate grievance and there is a clear path to getting it resolved, but it requires persistence and going through the right channels. Start by calling the facility directly and asking to speak with the accounts manager or trust fund office. They have access to the inmate's financial records and can see exactly what was withdrawn, when, and whether a corresponding order was fulfilled. Have the approximate date of the transaction and the amount ready when you
Read moreDepending upon the facility, there is a provision for "indigent mail" - if the inmate has a commissary balance for a period of time (less than a few dollars) the prison/jail will offer the inmate a set number of "free stamps" along with envelopes and paper to mail letters.
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