What can inmates buy in jail?

Commissary prices are close to what you would find in most grocery stores. Inmates can spend between $50 - $75 per week on average. Some inmates use it as a grocery store and buy a lot, others pick out just their very basic needs. Here are some of the wide ranging items on the list: Instant coffee, sodas of all kinds, chocolate, licorice, Cheetos, Jolly Rangers, nuts, microwave popcorn, cookies, crackers, protein bars, pop tarts and cereal. There are proteins like tuna, mackerel, salmon, chicken, summer sausage and turkey bites so that inmates can actually eat better than what the facility serves. These items come in store-able Mylar foil packets. They are also used at the primary currency that inmates use to buy services from other inmates (including gambling debts). There are personal hygiene items that supplement the basic items furnished free of charge. Bars of soap, shaving cream and other basic items are provided when someone comes to jail but if they want a better shampoo or toothpaste or a different soap, they can buy them at commissary. Some facilities sell clothing like sweat clothes, undergarments and sneakers. Inmates can buy a radio with headphones, MP3 players, some even small TVs.