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
Port Isabel Service Processing Center in Los Fresnos, Texas is an ICE detention facility operated by the federal government. Sending money to a detainee there works differently than at a standard jail or prison. ICE detention facilities use a separate financial system from the Bureau of Prisons. The primary way to deposit funds for a detainee at Port Isabel is through Western Union's Quick Collect service, which allows deposits to be made online, through the app, or at physical
Read moreCommissary deposits are handled differently depending on the facility, so the first step is knowing exactly where the inmate is housed. Each jail or prison has its own approved system for sending money, which may include online services, phone deposits, kiosks at the facility, or money orders. If you send me the facility name and state, I can point you to the correct way to deposit funds so they can access commissary for food and other items.
Read moreInmateAid does not currently offer food or clothing purchases for inmates in Minnesota or any other state. Here is why and what your options are. Food and clothing for inmates in Minnesota correctional facilities are handled through the facility's commissary system. Your loved one can purchase approved food items, clothing, and personal care products directly through their facility's commissary account. The best thing you can do from the outside is make sure they have money available to spend. InmateAid's
Read moreIn most cases you cannot purchase clothing, shoes, or personal care items directly and send them to your inmate. The good news is that in most facilities your inmate can purchase these things themselves through the commissary — as long as they have money on their account. In federal facilities the commissary offers a reasonable range of options. Inmates can typically purchase sweatpants, shorts, premium underwear, sneakers, and work boots in addition to basic toiletries, hygiene products, and personal
Read moreSending money to an incarcerated loved one is one of the most important things you can do to support them. Having funds available gives them access to phone calls, commissary items, personal care products, and other basic necessities that make a significant difference in daily life inside. Here is how to send money depending on where your loved one is housed. For federal inmates the Bureau of Prisons works with MoneyGram as its primary approved money transfer service.
Read moreSending commissary money to someone you have never met, especially at Lowell Correctional Institution, is something you should approach very carefully. There are inmates who genuinely need help, but there are also many who look for support from people on the outside as a way to secure ongoing money. Once you send funds, it is common for requests to continue, sometimes with increasing urgency or emotional pressure. Here are some practical guidelines: Be cautious from the
Read moreIt depends on the facility, there are some good vendors who have great deals (compared to the commissary options)... but you should contact the nit secretary at the facility to get their rules
Read moreNo, we doubt that the 'for-profit' prison package companies would take food stamps as payment.
Read moreThey sell them through the commissary
Read moreInmates can use their money in their Inmate Account to buy commissary, add talk time to their phone, send an email and even send money home to family members.
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