Currency in Prisons An overview of how money and other goods are used as currencies in prisons By...
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Transcript of Currency in Prisons An overview of how money and other goods are used as currencies in prisons By...
Currency in PrisonsAn overview of how money and
other goods are used as currencies in prisons
By Erik Anderson
Objective
• What makes a good prison currency• What things are used as currencies in
prisons• Do prisoners have money of their own
to spend• Explain how the circulation of money
gets in and out of prisons• What do prisoners use money for
Personal money
•Can have money from outside source
•High restitutions
•May get paid for work done inside
•Money from work release programs
•Able to use personal accounts
What makes a good prison currency?
• Should be legal so you can pass it easier and not get you in more trouble– i.e cards and
noodles
• Should store well for a long time
• Has an real value• Can’t be
counterfeited
• Has to be in demand
Typical items used for trade
• Alcohol • Playing cards• Stamps• Protection• Tattoos• Drugs• Cigarettes • Ramen noodles
Dried soups are replacing cigarettes
Dried Soup• It has worth• It’s transportable• Can’t be
counterfeited• Stored easily• Last long
Cigarettes
•Bad for you
•Damage easily
•Not always allowed in prison
VS.
The Prison Bartering System
• Bartering moves prison currency• Facilitates an economy within
prison• Rates on commodities differ from
prison to prison
Circulation of Money through prisoners
• Comes in from family, friends, jobs in prison
• Use it to buy contraband or services within prison
• Lost or won through gambling• Leaves in the form of reparations,
child support, housing and food, and to families
What do Prisoners use money for?
• Purchase different forms of currency– Prison store– Hygiene products– Extra food – Stationery
• Gambling
Questions?