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Envelope dated Aug 7th, received August 9th
Commissary is a Privilege Not a Right!!!
I hear y'all are curious about how commissary works and what is available on shopping day. So, hopefully, you will be able to see the attached documents to see the shopping list and a few receipts from my shops and gosh darn it, no judging me for how many candy bars I get.
A quick rundown of the rules : Max spend per month (in all facilities) is $360.00. Here, we shop every two weeks and max spend per shopping visit is $180.00. Some locations shop weekly, and I ‘ve heard you can do $90-$180 per week, but no more than $180. Per the handbook commissary is $180 between the 1st-14th and $180 between the 15th - end of the month. (Stamps and OTC Meds do not count against your spend).
I surrendered on 5/20 and landed on a shopping day. I came with cash and a money order thinking I’d be fine until it was time to shop, but since it was shopping day when I arrived I had to contact my dad to wire funds in. The cash and money order had to be sent to the Iowa office to post. It was posted to my account, rather quickly considering, but I would not have had the funds available for that shopping period. (Three days long to get through everyone). We shop Monday - Wednesdays.
To break down the shopping experience there, some planning involved in how to spend your money at the beginning. There are things that you need immediately: Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, shampoo, laundry soap. Then you need your grays (Gray sweats and sweatshirt, t-shirt (short sleeve and long-sleeved.) I was able to postpone buying long sleeved t-shirts and thermals because it’s so warm here in Victorville. Another must have is a pair of sneakers. I went 24 days without sneakers, because there were none in stock. That is again the case here, so many end up with a pair of hand-me-downs gifted from someone who is heading to a halfway house. (Local SoCal people usually leave in shorts, t-shirt, and flip flops) and their family brings them clothes when they pick them up.) People traveling by bus or plane leave in their grays and sneakers. I’ve heard from people who are home that hey say they’ll never wear gray sweats again. I wear sweatsuits all winter long, I hope prison doesn’t spoil my favorite leisure wear attire. Ha ha ha! I packed three sets of sweats in my halfway house bag figuring that by day 3, I can get home to get more clothes if need be.
   
So, you may have noticed that one of the largest sections of the commissary list is condiments/spices. Here (not sure how it is at other facilities) most people pack and carry a condiment bag to the chow hall. The food is edible, but very bland. My bag contains sriracha, tapatio, season salt, jalapeno wheels, ranch dressing, tagin and salsa guacamole. Just to give you a visual the ‘bag” is like a cosmetic bag. It is clear with handles. The joke is will you continue to bring your own condiments to restaurants when you get home???
I think the last section of the list worth discussing is coffee and creamer. I had to limit myself to one cup of coffee a day for about the first month and a half. A bag of Keefe instant coffee lasts about a week. And there is a two bag limit per shop. You have to find someone who doesn’t drink coffee and either work out a trade, or a straight purchase. I was just putting away my commissary today, thinking, well, I am finally ahead on the coffee supply, and then did a count of how many bats I have. I am not as far ahead as I thought I was. I have a habit of two or more cups a day. My daily iced coffee recipe: 1 tablespoon instant coffee, 1 tablespoon creamer, 1 tablespoon French vanilla creamer, 1 packet artificial sweetener, hot water to discover, top with ice (lots).
Grace, Dignity and Compassion,
Gina |
