What commissary is
Commissary is the inmate store. Federal facilities run commissary once or twice a week using a paper or tablet order form; state and county facilities are similar but with widely varying selection. An inmate uses funds from their account to buy food (ramen, peanut butter, tuna packets, coffee), hygiene (better soap, deodorant, lotion), stationery (envelopes, pens, paper), OTC medications, and increasingly tablets, headphones, and music.
Why it matters more than people think
Three meals a day are provided — but they are timed early (last meal often before 5 PM), low in calories for an active person, and repetitive. Commissary fills the calorie gap and lets the inmate eat something they chose. It also reduces the need to barter or borrow inside the housing unit, which lowers conflict.
How families help
Send money through the official vendor (see the money guide), not through other inmates or staff. A reasonable monthly amount is $50 to $150 depending on the facility and the inmate's needs; $200+ a month becomes hard to spend at most federal facilities given the spending cap.
Related: trusted reentry directory.
Spending caps
Federal inmates can spend up to $360 per month on commissary, with separate limits on tablets, music, and electronics. State and county caps vary; some county jails cap weekly purchases at $50.
Related: family support resources.
Tablet purchases
Most state and federal facilities now offer tablets — sometimes free, sometimes purchased through commissary. Music tracks cost $1.50–$2.00 each; movies and games cost more. E-books are often free. Tablet phone calls and e-messages are billed separately through the phone vendor.
Related: prison consulting services.
Special items
Some facilities allow special holiday packages — pre-built food and snack boxes families can order through approved vendors (Union Supply Direct, Walkenhorst's, Access SecurePak). Quarterly package programs vary by state and are often the most appreciated way to support an inmate beyond regular commissary.