- Steep Markups: Commissary items are marked up by as much as 40%-128%, with Ramen noodles jumping from $0.39 to $0.79 (102% increase) and deodorant priced at $4.52 instead of $1.98.
- Lack of Transparency: There’s no clarity on how profits are used, leaving families questioning if their financial support helps inmates or funds unchecked profit models.
- Burden on Families: Families must not only fund commissary purchases but also pay deposit fees and medical copays, forcing tough financial decisions.
- Minimal Oversight: With no regulations capping prices, vendors and the Georgia Department of Corrections operate without accountability.
Key Takeaway:
Georgia’s prison commissary system prioritizes profit over fairness, leaving inmates and their families to bear the brunt. Advocacy for price caps, transparency, and reinvestment of profits into inmate welfare is urgently needed.
The Issue: Exploitation in Georgia’s Prison Commissary Systems
Overpriced Commissary Items
The cost of goods in Georgia prison commissaries paints a troubling picture. For example, a $47 purchase might include items like Aunt Dot’s Chili at $4.22 each or a 12oz Dr. Pepper for $1.42. These prices are significantly higher than retail, with products like Fixodent Denture Adhesive marked up to $12.28 – more than three times its usual cost [2]. Such steep markups not only create financial hurdles but also add emotional stress for families trying to support loved ones behind bars.
Burden on Families and Inmates
Since 2022, prices for everyday necessities in Georgia prisons have risen dramatically. Items such as hydrocortisone cream, Tylenol, and coffee have seen price hikes of 15% to 45% [2]. These increases force families into tough decisions, often having to choose between helping their incarcerated relatives and covering their own essential expenses.
"Whether it is a private, external contractor or a state-run contractor, there is still a profit model built in." – Priya Sarathy Jones, deputy executive director for the Fines and Fees Justice Center [4]
A System Without Regulation
The lack of oversight in commissary systems allows profit-driven practices to flourish unchecked. Vendors often impose markups as high as 40%, with nationwide commissary prices rising by 25% since the pandemic [2]. In Georgia, this unchecked system continues to exploit inmates and families, with no meaningful regulation to prevent excessive pricing [4].
"It’s our position that the sale of bad food to prisoners, besides being unconstitutional, is also an unethical, predatory and extortionate practice by GDC and its commissary vendor, Stewart Candy Company." [2]
Problems with Transparency and Accountability
Lack of Oversight in Commissary Operations
The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) operates its commissary system with minimal external checks, leaving room for unchecked practices. For example, prices have surged without regulation, such as a 102% increase in Ramen prices [1][2]. This lack of oversight doesn’t just affect pricing – it also raises questions about how commissary profits are handled and whether they serve the intended purpose.
Unclear Management of Commissary Profits
There’s little clarity on how the profits from commissary sales are used, sparking concerns about accountability. Commissary items are sold with markups as high as 40% above retail prices [2], yet no transparent system exists to show where this money goes or how it’s reinvested.
The table below illustrates the stark difference between retail prices and commissary prices:
| Item | Retail Price | Commissary Price | Markup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deodorant Stick | $1.98 | $4.52 | 128% |
| Ramen Soup (2024) | $0.39 | $0.79 | 102% |
These inflated prices for basic items like deodorant (128%) and Ramen (102%) highlight the financial strain on inmates and their families. Even essential medical products, such as hydrocortisone cream, come with a 45% markup. The lack of transparency leaves families and advocacy groups unable to verify whether profits are being used to support the prison population [1].
This lack of clarity worsens the financial burden on families, who are often left wondering if their contributions are making any positive impact. Even legal tools like the Georgia Open Records Act fall short in providing the necessary transparency [3]. This ongoing lack of accountability erodes trust in the system and reinforces a cycle of financial exploitation that hits inmates and their families the hardest.
Solutions: Reforming Georgia’s Prison Commissary Systems
Implementing Fair Pricing
Georgia’s prison commissary pricing system needs a major overhaul. One effective step could be introducing price caps, similar to California’s model under the BASIC Act, which limits commissary markups to 35% [4]. This approach has already proven successful in other states.
"When the prices went down, guys were able to exhale" [4]
Lowering prices is just the beginning. To make a lasting impact, the system must also include clear rules for how commissary revenues are handled.
Increasing Transparency and Accountability in Revenue
Right now, the lack of oversight allows profits to take precedence over the needs of inmates and their families. For example, commissary markups often exceed 100% on everyday items like Ramen noodles [1][2].
Georgia should require routine financial audits and public reporting of commissary revenue. Clear rules should be established to ensure profits are reinvested into programs for inmates and facility upgrades. Tools like Impact Justice AI can also play a role in helping families demand these changes.
Leveraging Tools like Impact Justice AI for Advocacy
Impact Justice AI helps families advocate for fair commissary pricing by creating customized emails and tracking progress on campaigns. This tool is particularly useful in addressing Georgia’s pricing issues, enabling families to push for reforms like those seen with California’s BASIC Act. These efforts can lead to lower prices and better access to commissary items for inmates and their loved ones.
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Conclusion: The Need for Action and Advocacy
Key Issues and Potential Solutions
Georgia’s prison commissary system places a heavy financial strain on inmates and their families. Price increases like a 20% hike for Ramen soup and a 45% rise for hydrocortisone cream are just some examples of how families are being overburdened [2]. With markups on essential items often exceeding 100%, the lack of oversight has allowed this exploitative system to thrive unchecked [2].
This situation calls for immediate action to bring transparency and accountability to the system. Families should not have to choose between supporting their loved ones and their own financial stability.
Advocacy: What You Can Do
Change is possible. California’s BASIC Act is a great example of progress, successfully capping commissary markups at 35% [4]. Warren Hands from UnCommon Law highlighted the profound impact of such reforms:
"When the prices went down, guys were able to exhale" [4]
If you’re ready to advocate for change, here’s how you can help:
- Contact policymakers: Use platforms like Impact Justice AI to urge officials to implement price caps on commissary items.
- Spread awareness: Share pricing data with local media and push for greater transparency in how commissary revenue is managed.
Sustained public pressure is key to driving reform. By working with organizations like the Prison Policy Initiative and leveraging advocacy tools, we can push for a system that prioritizes fairness and dignity over profit. Every action – whether it’s sending an email, sharing a story, or raising awareness – brings us closer to change. Thousands of families in Georgia are counting on collective efforts to make this happen.
Prison Commissary Day: What Inmates Buy in Prison
Resources for Further Advocacy and Information
If you’re looking to challenge the unfair practices in Georgia’s prison commissary system, these resources can help you take action:
Prison Policy Initiative
The Prison Policy Initiative (PPI) is a go-to source for data and research on Georgia’s prison commissary system. Their reports break down commissary markups, giving advocates solid evidence to push for reform. Visit prisonpolicy.org to explore detailed analyses that highlight pricing inequalities and support advocacy efforts.
Georgia Department of Corrections
The Georgia Department of Corrections website (dcor.state.ga.us) provides key information on commissary policies, price lists, and vendor contracts. These records shed light on price hikes, such as the 20% increase in Ramen soup prices and the 45% jump in hydrocortisone cream costs in 2022 [2]. This data can help identify areas that need immediate attention.
Impact Justice AI
Impact Justice AI (impactjustice.ai), created by Georgia Prisoners’ Speak (GPS), is a powerful tool for those advocating for commissary reform. It simplifies the process by generating advocacy emails, connecting users with decision-makers, and offering customized data for campaigns. Families burdened by inflated commissary prices can use this platform to share their stories directly with policymakers.
FAQs
These questions shed light on Georgia’s prison commissary system and its challenges, focusing on pricing and accountability.
How expensive is a commissary in jail?
In Georgia, commissary prices are much higher than retail. For example, ramen noodles that cost about $0.35 at Target are priced at $0.79 in Georgia prisons – more than double the cost [1][2]. Other essentials face similar markups, like Fixodent denture adhesive, which is sold for $12.28 – over three times its retail price [2].
Why are prison commissary prices so high?
The high prices stem from profit-driven markups. Priya Sarathy Jones, Deputy Executive Director for the Fines and Fees Justice Center, puts it plainly:
"Private companies and [government] entities are profiting off of low-income people" [4].
The situation has worsened over the past few years. Since the pandemic began, commissary prices have jumped by about 25% [2]. In Georgia, the cost of hydrocortisone cream increased nearly 45%, and ramen soup went up 20%, from $0.39 to $0.48 [2].
This pattern of steep markups – often 40% or more – makes basic items unaffordable for many. The problem is compounded by the fact that incarcerated individuals earn only pennies per hour, leaving them and their families struggling to cover even the essentials [1]. While California’s BASIC Act limits markups to 35%, offering a potential solution, Georgia has no such protections. This lack of regulation continues to place an unfair financial burden on inmates and their families.
Related posts
- Georgia Prison Financial Records: Key Insights
- Georgia department of corrections food budget for prisoners.
- DOJ Uncovers ‘Horrific and Inhumane’ Conditions in Georgia Prisons
- When Profit Meets Punishment – The Moral Crisis of Georgia’s Prison System
