A pair of nylon Reebok! For an inmate like me it’s like four-months’ salary. On the outside, these kix would be like ten dollars at the discount-dollar store. But these sneaks are the cheapest kix available; all others are over a hundo. They got you over a barrel — if you want or need it, they are the only ones who supply, so pay it or go without.
It probably wouldn’t be so bad, but the only rec we get is in a cage of concrete which literally eats up shoes. So about every three months, a new pair needs to be bought. But if you’re like me, when it takes four months to be able to save up for new shoes, the math just doesn’t add up. So what can you do?? Grovel to the masses.
That’s right you little leach, call up your family and friends and hope they will help you out. But if you’re like me, that’s when the real guilt sets in. I put myself here; it’s my responsibility to get what I need. My people work hard for their money, and they got bills of their own, so asking them always punches me in the gut.
Of course, they always help out and say, “Oh it’s ok, all you have to do is ask,” or “You know we can do what we can,” but sometimes I just think to myself, “man, you’re such a leach! You already drain on society, and now you want more? I’m sure they need the money more than you, but still you grovel to the masses.
Oh my TV just went out! That’s another three-hundred dollars you don’t have. It will take me almost a whole year to save up that much. And don’t even think about drinking coffee or eating a ramen when you’re hungry, cause if you buy any of that stuff, it will take you even longer. So again what do you do to get a new TV? That’s right. Grovel to the masses.
In case you didn’t know, our commissary is the only place we can order from. They say their prices are even with local stores, but who ever heard of a box of off-brand saltines costing over four bucks? Or a single package of microwave popcorn costing over two dollars? But if you want it you’ll pay. Talk about making a profit off the poor.
You know they use the excuse, it has to be specially made for security reasons, that’s why it costs so much. Bullshit. It’s just an excuse to raise the price 300% without getting into trouble with the Feds, that’s all. Only in prison can commissary be allowed to be a monopoly without consequence. Now that’s criminal. But if you want commissary and barely make any money at all, what do you have to do? That’s right, you leach — Grovel to the masses.
Joseph Colon is an Idaho inmate who is currently housed in Arizona. This is his very first blog entry on Inmate Blogger. We hope you enjoyed reading it. Joseph can be reached on JPay.com. Search for inmate # 64595 in the state of Idaho. You may also write to: Joseph Colon #64595, SCC - LC56, 1252 E. Arica, Eloy, AZ 85131.
