I am often asked by friends and family to explain the term “prison industrial complex” when I use it in conversation with them. Prisons are ubiquitous in American society and most people have some opinion about whether they are effective in addressing crime. However for the general public, the term “prison industrial complex” is akin to hearing a language spoken that one is unfamiliar with. When I am asked to define it, I struggle to find a succinct way to do so. I usually say something like “it is an interconnected set of institutions and systems that purport to address the issue of crime and to “protect” society.” I then scramble to add that the PIC depends on the existence of an easily manipulated public, a set of opportunistic policy-makers and media elites shaping public opinion, and a coterie of business interests and corporations intent to make a dime off the most marginalized people in society. By the time, I finish talking most people’s eyes have either glazed over or are as big as saucers. I definitely need to find a better way to illustrate the concept of the PIC.

I came across an interesting article in the Evansville Courier Press last week that I think does a good job of underscoring some key aspects of the PIC.

The article was titled Contraband Prompts Jailer to Alter Policy. Under the guise of eliminating “contraband” from the jail, Jailer Ron Herrington devised a new policy:

The jail provides inmates with needs such as jumpsuits, but creature comforts are regulated and can be provided by friends or families. Inmates are allowed five white T-shirts, five pairs of underwear, five pairs of white socks, sneakers, a wrist watch and a CD player.

Within the next 60 to 90 days, Herrington said, the jail will probably begin a new policy requiring all those items to be purchased at the jail commissary. But he said that policy will be implemented only if those items can be sold at a price comparable to the prices at local retailers such as Wal-Mart.

Yes you read this correctly, the jail would like to make sure that items that prisoners need “can be sold at a price comparable to the prices at local retailers such as Wal-Mart.” Jailer Herrington is quoted in the article saying that he is trying to ensure the “safety” of his staff and the prisoners by interdicting contraband. He suggests that he is very concerned that the prisoners’ families not be burdened with extra costs by having to purchase needed supplies from the commissary instead of sending it to the prisoner directly. So he comes off seeming very concerned and responsible throughout the article.

Well just this past Saturday, I read a letter to the editor that was submitted regarding this article. It reveals the “true” story about the burdens that are put on prisoners and their families in having to spend money on needed supplies.

Frank Boyett’s article about the jail commissary was interesting, but incomplete. Preventing contraband from entering the jail by requiring inmates to purchase socks, underwear, sneakers or flip-flops and hygiene items from the commissary comes at a high price to the inmate, or more than likely his or her family.

At present, when inmates enter the detention center, they are issued the orange scrubs, a towel and bedding and also given a hygiene packet which contains a toothbrush and enough soap and toothpaste for three days. During the first seven days after incarceration, families are able to bring underwear, flip flops and hygiene items. After that time, the inmates must purchase all hygiene items from the commissary as well as non-essential treats. Families can make deposits into the inmate’s commissary account with which he or she can purchase these items.

The jail charges each inmate a daily fee for the service of being incarcerated. If the inmate is indigent, and most inmates are indigent, the jail seizes one half of every deposit made on behalf of the inmate to be used to pay the daily fee. If a friend or family member deposits $25 into the inmate’s account, the inmate has $12.50 to spend at the commissary.

If the inmates have to purchase underwear and shoes as well, they will need $50 on account to purchase $25 worth of clothing. The result is that even if the commissary prices are comparable to those of outside merchants and real cost to the inmate or family is double.

Martha Q. Polk
Henderson

Well, well, so it appears that the good jailer Herrington left out a BIG part of the story when he neglected to mention that prisoners at the Henderson Detention Center are expected to pay a daily fee to cover the costs of their own incarceration. This is in addition to the money that they or more likely their families have to spend for their needed supplies. If prisoners can’t afford to pay their daily fee, their commissary accounts are raided to seize these funds.

This is the PIC at work. I don’t know if this example would provide a needed definition of the term PIC to my friends and family but I believe that it would certainly open their eyes to the profit motive that permeates the mass incarceration industry.