December 10, 2014
Pay Day in Federal Prison
Today, I received my first “Pay Check” in Prison. The amount deposited to my account was $ 13.50, which included a performance bonus for extraordinary work effort. The check covered the month of November for my duties as a Compound sweeper. Ironically, my monthly earnings ( $ 13.50 ) were very close to the amount I made at my first job when I was 9 years old. As a child, I cut the lawn and shoveled the snow for two widows in our neighborhood. They each paid me $ 10.00 per month for my services. As you may know, $20.00 went allot father in the 1960’s! With my first paycheck, I intended to purchase several extra items at the commissary. The items included:
- -new coffee cup
- -writing paper
- -new tooth brush
- -Protein bars
- -extra socks
I waited in line at the commissary this morning for 45 minutes and finally stepped up to the window to process my order. Halfway through the process, the clerk told me I had exhausted my account balance and no further items could be purchased. In essence, my debit card was declined at the register at the prison commissary. (new financial low?)
Dejected, I sulked away with half my order. Later, I learned that the Government had imposed a $25 charge to my account for Court Costs that were already paid? This caused my account balance to shrink below it’s known level.
Well, from an employment prospective, I am right back to where I started over 50 years ago. The good news is that my earning potential has nowhere to go but up!
Ken Flaska
Sorry you didn’t get all your commissary. I have heard of that happening…the $25 taken out even though you already paid. Some even produced receipt showing they had paid the court costs but it didn’t matter. My son didn’t pay his because he knew they would take it out anyway…HA! But I am hopeful eventually they will straighten it out & give you your money back. That is almost 2 months wages for you. Stay strong & safe. Keeping you in my prayers.
Linda
Can friends and family add money to your account? If so, how?
Stay strong,
Greg
yes, Greg… http://www.bop.gov/inmates/communications.jsp You can mail money order or western union….
$300 per transaction limit at WU…….but you can send up to $1000 via postal money order. The link I provided gives you instructions/addresses. You need to go to inmate locator & get Ken’s register # etc. I have used both methods….WU is obviously faster but more expensive. Money order was in account in about a week. Their commissary spending limit is $320 a month but that does not count towards their email/phone costs as they transfer money from commissary to cover those.
Hope that helps…