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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You cannot find an inmate's commissary balance online - the inmate's person information (commissary balance, visitation list and phone call list and log) is kept private.
Read moreIt does happen a lot and it's not the kind of violation that they are looking to bust. There are many versions of this type of "service" one inmate does for another. We do not think there is much to be concerned with as long as the two involved stay in good graces with each other. These type deals go awry when the two inmates have an argument and someone overhears the dispute in a heated exchange of words.
Read moreYes, Faulkner County Detention Center does offer food items through their commissary. Most county detention facilities include food and snack items as part of their commissary offerings, and Faulkner County is no exception. Typical items available through jail commissaries include instant soups, chips, cookies, candy, peanut butter, crackers, and drink mixes. The exact inventory varies and can change, so what is available one month may not be there the next. Commissary is one of the most important quality
Read moreThank you for loving this site! You can go to [eComm Direct](tdcj.state.tx.us/php/ecommdirect/index.php) and review the items on their website.
Read moreInmates may not receive anything like protein shakes or protein powder from the outside. They are only allowed to buy items off of the commissary list. If protein powder is found in the possession of an inmate, it will be an immediate trip to the SHU and possible loss of good time, loss of commissary, phone and visitation privileges and likely a transfer to a one-level higher facility.
Read moreYes they can, they are available in many state and federal prisons. The prices vary but they are about $60 - $80 and the televisions are over $100
Read moreThe commissary lists generally include typical personal hygiene items you'd find at a drug store. The facility provides the bare minimum but inmates can "upgrade" some of these essentials. They also sell foods and snacks. There are items that are sold that act as the currency for the jail. Packs of tuna, chicken, salmon and beef are used for bartering between inmates for services between themselves. They also sell candy, chips and other junk food. There is a limit that
Read moreyes, in most cases they get a slip of paper with the last name of the sender
Read moreThe facility will provide a deposit slip to the inmate notifying them that they have money to spend for commissary
Read moreThe facilities provide shoes although they are of a minimalist nature. Most offer a choice of upgrades through the commissary. The choices include various work boots to several sneaker brands. One other way inmates get shoes is that there are always the industrious inmates who have contacts in the system where they resell shoes left over from inmates who have been released. The prices for the used goods are paid for with items from the commissary (usually not exceeding $5-10).
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