Jail commissary prices drop

I learned last night that the prices have dropped for items that inmates at the McHenry County Jail can purchase through the commissary.

I haven't gotten the new price list yet, but the "old" one was only three weeks old. How is it that the jail personnel and the sheriff would approve the initial price list with its unlawful pricing? And I'll bet that the "new" list still violates state law, which states the commissary pricing "... shall not exceed those (prices) for the same articles sold in local community stores..."

Nygren said during an interview at the Daily Herald offices that the commissary vendor, Stellar Corp., is allowed to make a profit. A fair profit is certainly okay. What they are not allowed to do is gouge the prisioners! And the Sheriff is supposed to watch out for that!

Nygren mentioned something about vendors being allowed up to a 25% profit. I had mentioned the exorbitant pricing on VO5 shampoo and conditioner, for which prisoners pay $3.63 for a 15 oz. bottle.

That same 15 oz. bottle of VO5 is priced at $0.99 at Jewel-Osco. (If you hurry, you can buy it early this week for $0.79). And that includes Jewel-Osco's profit!

What do you suppose Stellar Corp. pays for the bottle of shampoo? $0.80? So, if they mark it up 25% ($0.20), then the price to the prisoner ought to be $1.00 (and not $3.63!!!).

Can't wait to see the new price list.

Keith was a little agitated when he demanded to know who gave me the price list. It was all I could do to keep from laughing...