What Are Some Of The Things You Should Get On Your First Trip To Commissary In Federal Prison
All 121 Active Federal Prison Institutions have some sort of commissary. The commmissary is the store that inmates goto to pick up the things they need like hygeine products, first aid products, recreational clothing, under garments, food items, snacks and other sundries.
For starters, 10 months out of the year, every federal inmate in the country has a monthly spending limit cap of $360 dollars per month. The other two months out of the year (November and December) the monthly spending limit increases by $50 to allow extra purchases for the holidays.
Each individual institution controls how that money is spent. Some institutions, for example, allow inmates to spend the whole limit in one week ($360 or $410) others allow inmates to spend $90 per week , while some allow $180 every two weeks. No matter which way you or your loved one’s institution lets you spend the money, it’s always the same amount, nationwide. Unless you or your loved one is on commissary restriction.
First Time Shopper
Most institutions will allow new arrivals to do what is called “first time shopper”. Of course this is up to the institution itself. First time shopper allows a new inmate to shop, once money hits their books.
If the institution does not allow first time shopper the new arrival will need to wait until their unit shops next.
In the meantime many institutions have a “pay it forward program” usually at the chapel. This is where other inmates purchase new hygeine items and necessities and donate them for new arrivals who come in with nothing. These items can include shower shoes, shampoo, soap, shaving needs and other grooming essentials, enough to at least get a new inmate through.
Your First Shopping Trip
Your first trip to the commissary you’re going to want to get the following:
- Hygeine items: soap, shampoo, shaving needs, nail clippers, and other grooming supplies.
- Prison grays: shorts, t-shirts, sweatpants
- Undergarments: socks, boxers, underwear, thermals
- Tablet or radio (you need one of these to hear the TVs on the housing unit)
- Food items: crackers, candy, snacks, rice, dried fruits, nuts, protein
- Beverages: coffee, soda, drink mix etc
Keep in mind that you’ve got a limit to what you can spend.
Shopping at the Commissary
At most institutions you will fill out a “commissary list” prior to going to commissary. At some institutions you will “turn in” the list days ahead of time. At others, you will turn it in the day you shop and sometimes wait for your name to be called.
For example at FPC Montgomery and at FCI Forrest City you would fill out the list, turn it in at the window and wait for your name to be called. At Butner you would turn it in, sometimes days in advance, and they would post a list in the unit team hallway to tell when you needed to come pick up your order. When you arrive at the commissary you will bring a mesh laundry bag with you which you will fill at the commissary window and then pay, typically using your thumb print.
Commissary Restrictions
You can be restricted from commissary when you receive an “incident report” or “shot”. Also,
