While the headline is sensational, I actually find that there is real underlying merit to this lawsuit brought by a former prisoner.

An article in the Chicago Sun Times explains:

Illinois prison officials charge inmates too much for cigarettes, according to a lawsuit filed by a former inmate.

Timothy Giancana, who did time at the downstate Vandalia Correctional Center from 2007 to 2009, alleges the prison system is guilty of consumer fraud for marking up tobacco and non-tobacco commissary goods beyond the 25 percent and 35 percent, respectively, allowed by law.

In making his case against Illinois Department of Corrections officials, Giancana’s suit cites an Aug. 6, 2009, state Auditor General report that examined commissary prices for the two years ending June 30, 2008, and criticized the Vandalia facility for tacking on a 7 percent operating charge in addition to the 25 percent and 35 percent markups.

Another state audit revealed that, systemwide, 3 percent to 7 percent operating charges were tacked on, according to the lawsuit, filed in Cook County Circuit Court.

“IDOC has charged inmates commissary prices that well exceed the legal maximum,” the lawsuit states.

Giancana says he’s not the only victim: He was among 45,000 adult inmates in the state prison system. And in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008 inmates spent $33 million in the commissaries.

The suit seeks unspecified damages. IDOC officials said they could not comment on pending litigation.

I know that many people will find this lawsuit frivolous and claim to be offended by it. However, as I have been writing about a lot lately, the profit motive is central to the prison industrial complex. A few days ago, I blogged that some jail commissaries supposedly aim to compete with Walmart. The reality, however, is that jail commissaries more resemble your local payday lender. They jack up prices and gouge prisoners and their families for the most basic needs. It is not uncommon for prisons to charge $4.00 for one bar of soap. Now that’s truly CRIMINAL!