What can prisoners buy in jail in Australia?

In Australian prisons, inmates have the right to purchase certain items, which not only serves as a small comfort but also as a way of maintaining order and a sense of normalcy behind bars. The availability of items and the system through which they are purchased, commonly known as the "buy-ups" system, vary from state to state, and also from private to government-run, but generally include a range of food, hygiene products, clothing and some entertainment options. This article goes into some details about what prisoners can buy in jail in Australia, including photos of some of the exact items. I will shed some light on the aspects of prison life that often remain out of the public eye, from my personal experience.

Food and Drinks

Inmates can purchase additional food and drink items to supplement the standard prison meals provided. Many inmates will buy canned tuna (great protein source), instant noodles, chips, chocolates and soft drinks. Canned tuna (Chilli tuna Sirena in particular) serves as a form of currency among inmates, being the equivalent of a $5 note. 

Hygiene Products

Personal hygiene is a fundamental need, and prisoners are allowed to buy items such as shampoo, soap, toothpaste, and deodorant. Access to these products is essential for maintaining health and dignity, contributing to the overall well-being of the inmate population.

Kitchen Appliances and Utensils

Having a kettle is a small comfort that you will appreciate if you are in prison. You can make instant noodles or a hot tea at night when you are locked in your cell. There are other useful items such as can openers and sandwich presses. The sandwich press is good for not only toasting up your sandwiches, but for heating up your box of jail food. You can also heat up your Sirena tunas using this. Some prisons also offer rice cookers, which can be used as a makeshift frypan to heat up your food.

Clothing and Bedding

While basic clothing and bedding are supplied by the prison, inmates have the option to purchase additional and higher-quality items. For example, you can buy thermal underwear, quilts, sports shoes, track pants and jackets. This is especially needed in jails where there is no heating.

Recreational Items

One of the most popular items to buy in terms of recreation is a deck of playing cards. Having cards can pass the time and also build friendships. Besides playing cards, you can also buy items for artistic hobbies, such as colouring pencils, paper, pens, and also greeting cards and stamped envelopes, if you want to send a card to your family back home. You can also subscribe to newspapers or magazines that you like. 

Electronics

The main item that every inmate wants is a TV. While they are very small (13" screen), they go a long way to helping you pass the time, especially when you are locked in at night. A small Clearvue TV is about $300 (which would get you a much bigger TV on the outside!) but is a good investment, particularly for longer sentences. You may be able to get one for free or a discounted price from someone who is leaving jail at the end of their sentence, instead of buying it from the Activity Buy-up. However, the screws can take them from you as they are not technically on your property card. 

You can also buy a radio and in some states you may be able to purchase MP3 players, CD players, and even an XBox! However, some states are stricter, for example in NSW you used to be able to purchase CD players but that is no longer permitted. However, they are still around as they are sold from ex-inmates as they leave the prison system, but they command a high price due to high demand and limited supply.

Most inmates will also purchase a watch so they can keep track of the time when they are going about their day. At most prisons you can only buy the Clearvue brand watch (shown below left). However, some private jails offer more options, and so they get moved around the system as people move between jails, and sell their watches for other items, or as they are about to be released. Other watches are smuggled in during visits, and I saw a nice black and gold Casio G-Shock watch during my sentence (below right).

What Contraband Can Prisoners Buy?

Besides the permitted items on the buy-ups, there are plenty of illegal items that get smuggled in. The most common would be tobacco (particularly since the ban of smoking in Australian jails) and bupe, as well as mobile phones (used to facilitate smuggling of contraband) and USBs (to watch movies, especially porn). If there is anything you want in jail that is fairly small, with the right amount of money it can be smuggled in. 

Restrictions and Regulations

It's important to note that all items available for purchase are subject to strict regulations to ensure safety and security within the prison environment. Items that could potentially be used as weapons or to facilitate escape are not available. Even regular-length toothbrushes aren't allowed, as they can be sharpened into a shiv and used to stab someone. The toothbrushes provided by the jail is extremely short, and is designed to be held between the thumb and index finger, as opposed to grasped by the whole hand.

The amount of money inmates can spend is also limited per buy-up form, which is available weekly for food and monthly for Activities Buy-Up. This is dependent on the state's specific policies, or the individual prison if it is a privately owned jail.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the system allowing prisoners to buy certain items in Australian jails serves multiple purposes, from improving inmates' quality of life to aiding in their rehabilitation. By providing access to basic comforts, educational materials, and means of communication, the system acknowledges the importance of treating inmates with dignity and supporting their eventual reintegration into society. If you want to see more of the products that can be bought in Australian jails, you can visit the Correctional Products website, which sells the items to prisons.

If you have any further questions about jail, you can check out my article on what life is like in jail, and what inmates eat. If you are facing time in prison, you may also want to learn jail slang, and prepare yourself on how to survive, particularly if you are scared or feel unsafe.

You can also reach out to me via the contact form if you would like a paid telephone consultation. Many people who are being sentenced to prison have used my services, and they have found it extremely useful as I provide info that their lawyers simply cannot provide, without having lived through the experience themselves.