Shampoo, soap, and other toiletries are provided to the inmates. Commissary has a selection of upgraded, or brand-name products for sale if the inmate has money on their books to shop. If you were going to help, put some money on their books.

Remember that the commissary is for the 'little extras'. 75% of inmates never go to the commissary. If you are able to send something without affecting your own ability to survive while they are there, $50-100 per week and they would live like a king/queen.

This depends on your finances. If money is no object $300 would be a decent amount to get all the essentials from the commissary and have some money on the phone account too. They "need" a pair of sneakers, a radio and some brand name toiletries that the facility doesn't provide.

In federal prison, size 17 shoes can be ordered from the commissary. But, they will provide one pair of work boots for everyday wear, sneakers are a commissary item so they will be charged (about $50)

once a week

Really?? this is not on the commissary list 

What facility?

These are the rules, your inmate is not checking into the Ritz Carlton. The newly arriving inmates must go through Orientation before they are allowed to participate in ANY privileges. This includes visitation, telephone calls and commissary.

The Northern Reception and Classification Center (NRC) functions as the major adult male intake and processing unit for the entire state of Illinois. The NRC contains 1,800 beds in 24 housing units. Within the NRC is also the Stateville Minimum Security Unit. Inmates are admitted to the NRC in reception status. They remain in this status until they are transferred to a permanent institution. Privileges and movement are limited at the reception center. There is no set time frame for processing an inmate;

$150 to $200