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
yes, once per week as long as there is money in their account
Read moreInmates can buy longjohns-type shirts or sweatshirts at the commissary.
Read moreSCDC sponsors four (4) Inmate Package Programs yearly whereby inmate's family/friends may order various package combinations from Access Securepak for shipment to Leath Correctional. The packages contain a wide variety of snacks, candy, and seafood. LIMITS: $200 limit applies to food and snacks only Each food item (excluding Ramen) has maximum purchase limit of 12 Ramen Noodles are limited to (4) 24 packs Maximum of 3 hygiene products Multiple orders allowed, but not to exceed the dollar
Read moreIt depends on the facility. In federal, the amount is $320 per month ($370 in November and December) on commissary items. This does not include over-the-counter medications, copy cards, or postage stamps. In state prison, the weekly amounts range from $40-60. In the county jails it is about $75 per week. The private prisons like CoreCivic or GEO also allow $75 per week.
Read moreCommissary is once a week. It typically takes one week before the newer inmates can get commissary. But it is more related to the "day of the week they are designated", for instance if they come into the institution on a Wednesday and the commissary day for him is on Tuesday, then he'll be able to go the next Tuesday. Also, money in their account must be there in advance.
Read moreUnfortunately you cannot. Inmates have privacy rights and unless the inmate tells you, you won't know for sure. We can tell you 100% that there is not a whole lot he can buy that would be of special interest to you. The commissary list has many things you'd find in your local grocery or drug store at slightly higher prices. I will tell you that $100 is a good amount and he's probably buying some tuna, some snacks, maybe some shorts
Read moreFigure prices to be about 15-20% higher than what it might cost at Walmart or Target. But, it's the only shop in town so the inmates have to shop there. ANy amount of money is like the greatest gift you could send a frined in prison. They will decide what to choose from the long list of food and hygiene items. If you are able, $50 is fantastic. If you can do more, you will really make their month... but
Read moreYou will need to send money to the inmate's trust account where they will have to purchase the prison-approved radio at the comnmissary. Radios caost about $50. We would recommend sending enough to buy headphones too (about $20) :)
Read moreEveryone is different. When I first got there, I was buying all kinds of snacks and candy. I thought having those sweet things to eat, would make me feel better. But the more time I did, the more I got into working out and getting into great shape. That is when my preferences changed from sweet to "protein" which meant packets of tuna, mackerel, salmon and chicken. They run anywhere from $1.25 for tuna to $3.75 for chicken.
Read moreYou should call the facility first before you do anything and see if they would allow it. In state prison, some states allow you to send shoes or work boots (or order them for the inmate and they are shipped in). In federal you definitely cannot. All extra footware is bought through the commissary. The pricing is very fair for sneakers and boots. The inmate would need money on their books to be able to acquire them.
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