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.
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Commissary schedules at county jails vary by pod, dorm, and day of the week, and they change more often than most facilities publicly post. The most reliable way to get the current schedule for a specific housing unit is to contact the facility directly. For Douglas County Jail in Georgia, you can reach the Canteen department at the Douglas County Sheriff's Office by calling 770-920-4972, Monday through Friday during business hours. They handle commissary purchases, deposits, and any questions
Read morePhone time in the federal Bureau of Prisons system works differently than most families expect, and USP Beaumont follows the same national BOP rules. In the federal system, inmates do not purchase phone time the way you might buy minutes on a prepaid plan. Phone access is available during designated hours and draws from the inmate's trust fund account automatically when calls are placed. There is no separate phone time to order or activate. BOP phone hours nationwide
Read moreThere are no current online services for Cuyahoga County Jail, they only accept money for an inmate "in person" - you can't even mail in a money order. This is not a normal practice, usually Western Union is available for putting money on the books for inmates.
Read moreAny money deposited in your commissary account that goes unused is returned to you upon release.
Read moreThere is no publicly available, regularly updated commissary price list for the Arizona Department of Corrections. Most state systems, including Arizona, do not publish detailed pricing online, even though they may list available items. That said, commissary pricing is fairly consistent across facilities because most prisons purchase from the same limited group of vendors. Looking at federal commissary lists can give you a very close estimate of what things cost. Here is a realistic pricing range to help you
Read moreAt Arizona State Prison Phoenix West, inmates can usually purchase televisions through the commissary system, but the exact options and pricing depend on the facility’s approved vendor list. Typical costs: Small black and white TV: around $100 Small color TV: about $250 to $300 To buy one, your fiancé will need money in his inmate trust or commissary account. You can send funds using approved services like Western Union. Once the funds are available, he places the
Read moreSmoking has been banned in just about every facility. There are still some county jails here and there that sell tobacco products on their commissary but there are very few. Cigarettes are a major "black market" item that can sell for one dollar to $20.00 per cigarette depending upon the custody level of the prison.
Read moreAt Fayette County Jail, commissary prices are generally similar to what you would pay on the outside, sometimes slightly higher depending on the item. While exact prices vary by facility, here is a realistic breakdown to help you plan: Typical commissary prices: Ramen noodles: $0.40 to $0.75 Chips or snacks: $1.00 to $2.50 Coffee: $3.00 to $6.00 Candy bars: $1.00 to $2.00 Toiletries (soap, deodorant, toothpaste): $2.00 to $6.00 each Writing supplies (paper, envelopes, stamps): $2.00 to
Read moreThe amount you send should fit your financial situation first and foremost, not the inmate's requests. This is worth saying plainly because it often does not get said. Your financial wellbeing matters. If you are stretching yourself thin to keep money on someone's commissary account while your own bills go unpaid, that is not sustainable and it is not healthy for either of you. Take care of yourself first. What you can comfortably spare after your own needs
Read moreNo, commissary is for the inmates inside the prison.
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