The Illinois Administrative Code reads, "Prices charged detainees shall not exceed those for the same articles sold in local community stores..." The purpose of this law is simple - to keep the local keeper of the jail for gouging prisoners on prices. How well is the state law working in McHenry County? 
The new price schedule of commissary items would shock just about anyone. Here is just a sample:
A 15 oz. bottle of Suave shampoo or condition is $0.99 at Jewel (on sale today for $0.79). The price to inmates? $3.58!
Suave Fresh Scent Deodorant? At Jewel the 2.6 oz. size today is $1.99. At the commissary? The 1.4 oz. size is $4.58 - everyday.
How about Vaseline Intensive Care hand lotion? At Jewel, it's $3.69 for the 10 oz. 
size, and $6.49 for the 20.3 oz. size. At Sheriff Nygren's commissary? $6.10 for the 3.0 oz. size.
How about toothpaste? Crest Tartar Control at Jewel is $2.39 for the 6.4 oz. tube. At the jail? $5.89 for 4.2 oz.!
Let's shop for food. Ramen noodles, 3.0 oz. size. At Jewel? $0.25. At Sheriff Nygren's place? $0.78!
Still hungry? How about a Snickers? For a 2.07 oz. bar at Jewel, you'll pay $1.00 (today, $10.00/10). Actually, today they are $0.59. At Keith's counter? $1.31. At the jail the price list does not inform the purchaser of the size candy bar he will be ordering.
I understand there may have been a recent change in vendors for the commissary. The vendor now is Stellar. How fitting!!! The prices certainly are stellar!
The problem here is that the pricing is criminal. And not only is it criminal, it borders on extortion! Read again the state law on pricing. "Prices charged detainees shall not exceed those for the same articles sold in local community stores."
If there is a crime being committed by the sheriff's department, what law enforcement agency investigates and charges those responsible?
No comments:
Post a Comment