Prison Commissary: How It Works, Costs & Sending Money (2026)

Commissary (also called "canteen" in some facilities) is the prison store where inmates can purchase items not provided by the facility -- or better-quality versions of items that are provided. It operates like a basic convenience store but with strict rules.

How it works: 1. Money is deposited into the inmate's trust account (their prison "bank account") 2. On designated commissary shopping days (typically once per week), inmates submit an order form listing items they want to buy 3. The items are pulled by commissary staff and distributed to the inmate 4. The cost is deducted from their trust account balance

Shopping schedule: Most facilities allow commissary shopping once per week. The specific day is usually assigned by housing unit. Some facilities allow twice-monthly shopping instead.

Order forms: Inmates fill out a paper or electronic order form (called a "commissary list" or "store slip") selecting items from the available menu. Some facilities with tablet programs allow electronic ordering.

Why commissary matters: The meals and supplies provided by prisons are widely recognized as nutritionally and hygienically inadequate. Commissary supplements this with additional food, better hygiene products, and items that make daily life more bearable. Inmates without commissary money often struggle to meet basic needs and may trade labor or services for commissary items -- creating an informal economy.

There are several ways to deposit money into an inmate's trust/commissary account:

JPay / ViaPath (Online or App): - The most popular method for state prisons - Go to jpay.com or use the JPay app - Search for the inmate by name or ID - Pay with debit card, credit card, or cash (at MoneyGram locations) - Fees: $3.99 for debit card up to $100, $7.99 for credit card, $3.99 for cash at MoneyGram - Processing time: 1-3 business days

MoneyGram: - Available at Walmart, CVS, and other retail locations - Fee: $3.99-$11.99 depending on amount and method - Processing time: Same day to 2 business days - You need the facility's MoneyGram receive code (available on the facility's website)

Western Union: - Available online and at retail locations - Fee: $3.99-$11.99 depending on amount - Processing time: Same day to 2 business days

Postal Money Order: - Buy a USPS money order at any post office - Fee: $1.75 for amounts up to $500, $2.40 for $500-$1,000 - Mail it to the facility's trust fund office (NOT to the inmate directly) - Include the inmate's full name and ID number on the money order - Processing time: 3-7 business days after receipt - This is the cheapest method but the slowest

Federal BOP deposits: - Use the National Lockbox system: mail a money order or cashier's check to the BOP's centralized deposit address - Western Union Quick Collect (code: FBOP, city code: DC) - MoneyGram (code available on bop.gov) - JPay deposits are also available for some federal facilities - No cash deposits in person

Personal checks: Most facilities do NOT accept personal checks due to fraud concerns. Stick to money orders, certified checks, or electronic transfers.

Tax refunds: Some inmates receive tax refunds or government stimulus payments into their trust accounts. The IRS can send refunds directly to the facility's trust fund.

Commissary items cost significantly more than retail prices. Here are typical items and price ranges across federal and state facilities:

Food and snacks: - Ramen noodles: $0.50-$1.25 per pack - Tuna/mackerel pouch: $2.00-$3.50 - Peanut butter: $3.00-$5.00 - Cookies/snack cakes: $2.00-$4.00 - Instant coffee: $3.00-$6.00 - Hot sauce: $1.50-$3.00 - Tortillas: $2.00-$4.00 - Summer sausage: $4.00-$8.00 - Candy bars: $1.50-$2.50 - Soda (can): $1.00-$2.00

Hygiene products: - Toothpaste: $2.00-$4.00 - Deodorant: $3.00-$5.00 - Shampoo: $3.00-$6.00 - Body wash/soap: $2.00-$4.00 - Lotion: $2.00-$5.00 - Razor: $0.50-$1.50

Clothing and footwear: - Sneakers/athletic shoes: $30-$80 - Thermal underwear: $8-$20 - Socks (pack): $5-$10 - T-shirts: $5-$15 - Sweatpants: $15-$30

Electronics: - Headphones: $15-$30 - MP3 player (JPay tablet): $100-$150 (plus song purchases) - Radio: $20-$50 - Calculator: $10-$20

Stationery: - Envelopes (pack of 10): $1.50-$3.00 - Stamps: $0.73 each (at postal rate) - Notebook/paper: $1.00-$3.00 - Pens: $0.50-$1.50 each

Note: Prices vary significantly by state and vendor. Some states negotiate better rates than others. The federal BOP commissary generally has lower prices than many state systems.

Every facility limits how much an inmate can spend at commissary per month or per shopping trip:

Federal BOP: $360 per month (as of 2026). This limit applies to most items but excludes certain categories like stamps, over-the-counter medications, and approved electronics.

State limits vary widely: - California (CDCR): $240 per quarter (about $80/month) - Texas (TDCJ): $95 every two weeks ($190/month) - Florida (FDC): $100 per week ($400/month) - New York (DOCCS): $85 every two weeks ($170/month) - Ohio (ODRC): $150 per month - Pennsylvania (DOC): $200 per month - Georgia (GDC): $110 every two weeks ($220/month) - Illinois (IDOC): $100 per month

County jails: Spending limits at county jails are typically lower ($50-$100 per week) and the selection is more limited.

Overage: If you deposit more money than the spending limit, the excess stays in the trust account for future purchases. The spending limit is about how much can be spent per period, not how much can be in the account.

Restrictions for disciplinary issues: Inmates in segregation (solitary confinement, SHU, the hole) typically have reduced commissary access. They may be limited to basic hygiene items only, or commissary may be suspended entirely as part of disciplinary sanctions.

The trust account (also called an inmate account or commissary account) is essentially a bank account managed by the facility.

How it works: - Each inmate has a trust account maintained by the facility's trust fund department - Money deposited by family/friends goes into this account - Wages from prison jobs are deposited here - Commissary purchases, phone calls, email stamps, and other costs are deducted from this account - The inmate does not have direct access to cash -- everything is handled through the account

Prison wages: - Federal BOP: $0.12-$0.40 per hour for regular prison jobs. UNICOR (Federal Prison Industries) pays $0.23-$1.15 per hour - State prisons: $0.10-$1.00 per hour in most states. Some states (Texas, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi) pay nothing for most prison jobs - Average monthly income from prison work: $20-$50 for regular jobs, $50-$200 for UNICOR/industry jobs

Deductions: Facilities may deduct from trust accounts for: court-ordered restitution, fines, child support, medical co-pays ($2-$5 per sick call at federal facilities), disciplinary fines, and FICA/Social Security taxes (for UNICOR workers).

Release: When an inmate is released, the remaining trust account balance is given to them, typically as a check or debit card. Some facilities issue a debit card (with fees). The amount released can be critical for someone starting over with nothing.

Overdrafts: Trust accounts cannot go negative. If an inmate has no money, they cannot make commissary purchases. Facilities provide basic necessities (minimal hygiene items, meals) to indigent inmates, but the quality and quantity are often inadequate.

Phone calls are essential for inmates to maintain family connections, but they have historically been extremely expensive. Here is the current landscape:

FCC rate caps (2025-2026): The FCC has capped interstate prison phone rates. As of the most recent FCC order: - Prison (state and federal): $0.06 per minute for 15-minute calls (interstate) - Jail: $0.07 per minute for 15-minute calls (interstate) - In-state calls vary but are trending lower - A 15-minute interstate call should cost no more than $0.90-$1.05

How prison phone calls work: - Inmates use phones in common areas during designated times - All calls are collect or prepaid (charged to the recipient's phone account or the inmate's trust account) - Each call is limited to 15 minutes (federal BOP) or 15-30 minutes depending on the facility - Calls are monitored and recorded (except attorney calls with proper setup) - Three-way calling is prohibited and will result in call termination and possible disciplinary action

Setting up a phone account: - Register your phone number with the facility's phone provider (GTL/ViaPath, Securus, ICSolutions) - Fund the account online or by phone - The inmate adds your number to their approved call list

Phone providers and their apps: - ViaPath (GTL): GettingOut app - Securus: Securus app - ICSolutions: ICSolutions portal

Tips to reduce phone costs: - Use the inmate's trust account for calls rather than collect calls (usually cheaper) - Keep a prepaid balance on the phone account to avoid per-call setup fees - Take advantage of any free calling minutes some facilities provide (some offer a few free minutes per month) - The FCC rate caps have significantly reduced costs, but ancillary fees (connection fees, account maintenance) can still add up

Tablets are increasingly common in prisons and jails, providing inmates with access to email, entertainment, education, and communication:

How tablet programs work: - The facility contracts with a provider (usually ViaPath/JPay, Securus, or GTL) to provide tablets - Tablets are either rented to inmates (monthly fee) or provided for free with pay-per-use content - The tablets are locked down -- inmates cannot access the internet freely - Available features: e-messaging, music purchases, movie rentals, educational courses, e-books, legal resources, and sometimes video visits

Costs: - Tablet rental: $0 (free through some providers) to $15/month - Music: $1.29-$1.99 per song (significantly above market rate) - Movies: $2.99-$5.99 per rental - E-books: $1.99-$9.99 - E-messages: $0.25-$0.50 per stamp - Educational courses: Some free, some $5-$30

Federal BOP tablets: The BOP has rolled out tablets through the TRUFONE system (via ViaPath). Inmates get access to email, legal resources, and educational programming. Music and entertainment are available for purchase.

Benefits: Tablets have been shown to reduce violence and improve behavior in facilities. They provide educational opportunities, help maintain family connections, and give inmates a productive way to use their time. Some facilities offer sentence reduction credits for completing educational courses on tablets.

Concerns: Prison advocacy groups point out that tablet content is overpriced compared to free-world prices. A song that costs $0.99 on iTunes might cost $1.99 on a prison tablet. Families already under financial strain bear the cost. Some facilities have eliminated common-area TVs, radios, and physical libraries after introducing tablets, forcing inmates to pay for what was previously free.

Supporting an incarcerated loved one financially can strain family budgets. Here are practical tips:

Set a monthly budget: Decide on a reasonable monthly amount you can afford to send. Communicate this clearly with the inmate so they can plan their purchases. Common amounts families send are $50-$100 per month.

Prioritize hygiene and nutrition: The most important commissary items are hygiene products and food. The meals provided by the facility are often insufficient in calories and nutrition. Help the inmate prioritize basics over luxuries.

Use the cheapest deposit method: Postal money orders ($1.75 fee) are the cheapest way to send money but take the longest. JPay debit card ($3.99) is the most common middle ground. Avoid credit card deposits which have the highest fees ($7.99+).

Bundle deposits: Rather than sending small amounts frequently (paying a fee each time), send larger amounts less often. Sending $100 once per month costs less in fees than sending $25 four times.

Track spending: Keep records of every deposit. Some families set up a dedicated bank account for prison-related expenses to keep track.

Know about prison wages: If the inmate has a prison job, they earn some money on their own. Federal UNICOR jobs pay up to $1.15/hour. Factor this into how much external support is needed.

Protect yourself financially: Do not go into debt to fund commissary. The average family of an incarcerated person spends $13,000 per year on prison-related costs (commissary, phone, visits, legal fees). Set boundaries that protect your financial health.

Explore assistance: Some nonprofit organizations help families with commissary and communication costs. Check with reentry organizations in your area.