Prison commissary

A prison commissary[1] or canteen[2] is a store within a correctional facility, from which inmates may purchase products such as hygiene items, snacks, writing instruments, etc.

Typically inmates are not allowed to possess cash;[3] instead, they make purchases through an account with funds from money contributed by friends, family members, etc., or earned as wages.

Typically, prisons set a maximum limit of funds that can be spent by each inmate on commissary.

These include postage stamps, honey buns, instant ramen noodles, and packets of mackerel.

[12][13] In some prisons, packets of mackerel fish or "macks" has also taken prominence as a currency, as it is priced closely with one US Dollar, and maintains stability.