tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post48589837189848979..comments2024-03-25T20:06:39.794-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: Texas jail commissary corruption may run deeper than anyone knewGritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-63908295419320575692007-10-21T12:27:00.000-05:002007-10-21T12:27:00.000-05:00This corruption begins at the youth prison first a...This corruption begins at the youth prison first and move on to bigger jails with more money. I was working for TYC until May of this year. When I found where someone had used funds for illegal purchases. I demanded that this money be returned and when the money was returned I was asked to resign. Never ever would I recommend TYC for an honest person with ethics as a place to seek employment. I am thankful that I didn't waste any more of my time there. Thanks Robin McKeever for getting me out of TYC. You deserve all the hell that comes your way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-80057814717325256282007-10-20T05:12:00.000-05:002007-10-20T05:12:00.000-05:00I wouldn't agree with that, 9:41, but you're entit...I wouldn't agree with that, 9:41, but you're entitled to your opinion.Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-86035997758799648432007-10-20T00:46:00.000-05:002007-10-20T00:46:00.000-05:00The thing about commisarry in Texas is, it's not t...The thing about commisarry in Texas is, it's not the inmate's money that gets spent on it, it's their families' money. Inmates would have no money if their families didnt provide it, and thus, the system would have no means of making an extra dollar. The quality of commisarry items is poor (hubby can buy a pen, and have it only last for 6 or 7 sheets of paper) and prices on many (but not all) things are greatly inflated. But as families cannot send anything in to the inmates, we are all held hostage to the system. <BR/><BR/>Some enlightened states allow individuals to send care packages to their inmates 2 or 3 times a year. Other states allow individuals to make out a shopping list for items available from commisarry and pay for them, so that the inmate receives a care package that way. Texas just wants our money.<BR/><BR/>Vending machines at visitation are HUGELY expensive. I really was shocked to see the prices of things, and there are no healthy options either, just sugar and salt-laden rubbish. Vending machines can dispense any item at all, so why is there no fruit? Why no milk? Why no hot drinks? (sitting for 4 hours right under the AC vent, even in the summer, it gets cold!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-84843713164747921082007-10-19T21:41:00.000-05:002007-10-19T21:41:00.000-05:00I understand the sheriff was ratted out by uncorro...I understand the sheriff was ratted out by uncorroborated snitch testimony. <BR/><BR/>You know regular criminals are usually set up by crocked DAs, while officials are usually guilty.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-35318151174835830102007-10-19T15:01:00.000-05:002007-10-19T15:01:00.000-05:00Corruption exists, but I am glad those prisoners h...Corruption exists, but I am glad those prisoners have commissary. They would be wasting away to nothing without it. When visiting, it is very evident which prisoners have the option of getting a little more to eat.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-56947551266993384892007-10-19T12:57:00.000-05:002007-10-19T12:57:00.000-05:00I admire your cynicism, but what I meant was that ...I admire your cynicism, but what I meant was that jails where the local govt ran their own commissaries don't appear to be having these problems. It's where they take the Sheriff off on some golfing trip to Costa Rica and butter them up with cash and prizes to win contract bid where these problems have recurred. <BR/><BR/>That said, I admit the inflated prices make commissaries a potential source of corruption anywhere. I guess in this grim setting one looks for SOMETHING to be thankful for. :)Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-49239312347283078232007-10-19T12:19:00.000-05:002007-10-19T12:19:00.000-05:00If I were you I don't think I'd be thankful for an...If I were you I don't think I'd be thankful for anything TDCJ does. Every unit has a commissary and vending machines in the visiting room. There are hundreds of locations where bribery and corruption can exist.<BR/><BR/>Government and Government Officials being what they are, I'm sure there is nothing to be grateful for.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com