SOP_NUMBER: 227.07
TITLE: Access to Offender Commissary
REFERENCE_CODE: IIA01-0004
DIVISION: Facilities Division
TOPIC_AREA: 227 Policy-Facilities Conditions of Confinement
EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2023-06-22
WORD_COUNT: 519
POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/105728
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/227.07/

SUMMARY:
This policy establishes procedures for operating offender commissaries in GDC facilities where incarcerated individuals can purchase approved nonessential items using personal funds. The policy requires facilities to open commissaries at least five days per week, verify offender identification and account balances before sales, maintain posted price lists, and allow commissary access to be restricted through disciplinary sanctions. Wardens/Superintendents are responsible for overall commissary operations and compliance with approved item restrictions.

KEY_TOPICS: offender commissary, inmate store, commissary access, personal funds, commissary purchases, disciplinary sanctions, administrative segregation, commissary hours, spending limits, commissary procedures, approved items, offender personal property

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|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Access to Offender Commissary|**Policy Name:**Access to Offender Commissary|**Policy Name:**Access to Offender Commissary|
|**Policy Number:** 227.07|**Effective Date:** 6/22/2023|**Page Number:** 1 of 2|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Facilities Division|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access|


**I.** **Introduction and Summary:**







Under the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Board Rules, each facility/center
shall operate a facility/center offender commissary for the benefit of assigned
offenders. The Warden/Superintendent shall have the overall responsibility for the
operation of the offender store. Each facility shall maintain a commissary for offenders
to permit their use of personal funds for the purchase of miscellaneous and
nonessential items. The commissary shall ensure that approved items which are not
normally provided by the facility/center, and which are specified in SOP 206.01 are
made available for purchase.


**II.** **Authority:**

A. GDC Board Rule: 125-4-6-.05.

B. GDC Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): 206.01 Offender Personal Property

Standards; and

C. ACA Standards: 5-ACI-1B-20 and 4-ACRS-7D-29.


**III.** **Definitions:** None.

**IV.** **Statement of Policy and Applicable Procedures:**

This policy is applicable to all prisons, centers and facilities housing offenders
assigned to the Georgia Department of Corrections.


A. The offender commissary may be open five days a week, not including weekends

or holidays.

B. Offenders in administrative segregation may complete an order form on specified

days and have their purchases transacted by an assigned staff member. Access to
the commissary may be denied or limited through specific disciplinary sanctions
or to an offender housed in disciplinary isolation.


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Access to Offender Commissary|**Policy Name:**Access to Offender Commissary|**Policy Name:**Access to Offender Commissary|
|**Policy Number:** 227.07|**Effective Date:** 6/22/2023|**Page Number:** 2 of 2|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner|**Originating Division:** <br>Facilities Division|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access|



C. All offenders must present a picture identification to the store manager at the

commissary before purchases will be allowed.

D. All offenders’ balances shall be verified before a sale is transacted. Credit will not

be extended.

E. Staff are not authorized to remove or purchase items from the offender

commissary.

F. Facilities/Centers may develop local procedures for the operation of the offender

commissary, which includes a schedule of open hours.

G. Facilities/Centers will maintain and post a price list of items available for purchase.

The available items will conform to restrictions specified in SOP 206.01, Offender
Personal Property Standards.

H. Claims for damaged or missing items must be made immediately upon purchase.

Once the offender leaves the commissary area (i.e., leaves the sight of the
commissary staff), no claim for damaged or missing goods will be honored.

I. The Department will establish a weekly spending limit that will be reviewed

annually. All affected facilities/centers will be notified if a change in the spending
limit is approved.

J. Special mission facilities/centers may have modified procedures regarding what is

offered for sale and weekly spending limits. These special provisions will be
outlined in a separate SOP.

**V.** **Attachments:** None.

**VI.** **Record Retention of Forms Relevant to this Policy:** None.