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Aprison commissary[1] orcanteen[2] is a store within acorrectional facility, from which inmates may purchase products such as hygiene items, snacks,writing instruments, etc. Typically inmates are not allowed to possess cash;[3] instead, they make purchases through an account with funds from money contributed by friends, family members, etc., or earned aswages. Typically, prisons set a maximum limit of funds that can be spent by each inmate on commissary.
In 1930, theU.S. Department of Justice authorized and established a commissary at each federal institution.[4]
Some prison commissaries are staffed by government employees and inmates, while others have been completely privatized. Significant price markups are common in prison commissaries, although some prison systems set maximum markups; for instance, theDelaware Department of Correction has a 20% maximum markup.[citation needed] $100 million in purchases were made from Texas' prison system alone in 2009.[5] Prison commissary is a privilege that is often taken away for infractions.[6]
Certain items tend to be used as currency by inmates.Cigarettes were a classicmedium of exchange[7] and some jails in both the United States and United Kingdom sellelectronic cigarettes.[8][9] However, in the wake of widespread prison tobacco bans, a number of other prison commissary items have taken precedence.
These includepostage stamps,honey buns,instant ramen noodles, and packets ofmackerel.[10][11]
Instant ramen noodles—often called "soups" in prison—are a popular item due to the often bland nature ofprison food, the durability of ramen noodle packages, and the uniformity or fungibility based on how one "soup" can easily be exchanged for another or multiple can be exchanged for other goods or services between prisoners in an illicitprison economy.[6] As prison budgets are cut in the US, ramen has become a popular commodity to supplement food needs.[11]
Packets of mackerel are another such item.[12][13] In some prisons, packets ofmackerel fish or "macks" has also taken prominence as a currency, as it is priced closely with oneUS dollar, and maintains stability.[14][15] In 2021, one "mack" was equal to about one dollar; by late 2023 the price had inflated to $1.30.[16]
These ingredients are often used by inmates to prepare meals, colloquially called "spreads".[17]
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)A pouch of mackerel fillets costs $1.30, up 30% from $1 in 2020.
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