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
We are working with Western Union to have ALL the prisons and jails available. Today, Talbot County only takes money orders mailed into their system but with this request and others, we will endeavor to get this rectified. You can still send books, newspapers and magazines through InmateAid and believe me, he will LOVE the reading materials you send him from the outside.
Read moreMost prisons DO have kosher meals, especially at the federal level and if they don't you can contact the Aleph Institute in Miami Beach to arrange for them to get them set up. For the commissary food items, there are limitations to what a "kosher registered inmate" may select from.
Read moreThere are items that span from clothing and shoes, to food and drink, to over-the-counter medical supplies and personal hygiene items. Typically there is one day designated for shopping. Remember that the commissary is a privilege and inmates may be subject to revocation for incident reports. For a more complete list, go to InmateAid's Commissary Information page.
Read moreCommissary spending limits exist at every level of the correctional system and are enforced regardless of how much money is sitting in the inmate's trust account. Having a fully funded account does not mean unlimited spending. The caps are in place to manage inventory, reduce conflict over goods, and prevent any single inmate from accumulating disproportionate amounts of commissary items that could be used for bartering or pressure. In the federal system, the Bureau of Prisons sets a monthly
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