Buyers behind bars

[tcrashfx]

Thursday, April 05, 2007

By Lauren Gregory
Staff Writer

The average Hamilton County Jail inmate prefers Irish Spring soap over Lever 2000, eats far more Snickers bars than Twizzlers and would rather wear Velcro hightop tennis shoes than canvas slip-ons, according to sales figures from the facility's commissary.

The jail's commissary, which records show sold $333,266 in food, clothing and other items in 2006, allows inmates to buy goods they otherwise would have to go without while in custody, said Officer Robert Harvey, the Hamilton County sheriff's deputy who oversees the program.

He said the commissary receives 300 to 325 orders each week on "bubble sheets" similar to the forms used for standardized testing in schools. The orders are processed and delivered cell to cell -- a highlight of the day for most inmates, Officer Harvey said.

"It's like Santa Claus is coming," he said with a chuckle.

www.timesfreepress.com/absolutenm/templates/local.aspx?articleid=13405&zoneid=77

[Laura Rice]

Hey Crash... At Silverdale will they let you order a different color jumpsuit for every day from the commissary??? ;D You know a gal has got to look good no matter the occasion!

[Kordax]

Is the Hamilton County jail commissary an enlightened & just dispenser of goods?

In other words, do they means test the prices so the less fortunate prisoners can afford similar things that the more fortunate ones can get?

[tcrashfx]

I think every item has the same price for all buyers.

I wonder if they are tax exempt?

[Deleted]

If I can't have my Twizzlers, I ain't a gonna go.

[Jay]

Uh oh, I'd agree w/ all of those choices too.. I hope that doesn't mean anything,

[TNBear]

It's been well over thirty years since I've been in jail-I was not too bright as a youth. I remember they brought around a cart with candy bars and crap like that. Back then you could buy smokes too.