Day 7: Commissary Order

Smoking is prohibited in the prison. But this was not always the case. "You used to be able to buy cigarettes from the Commissary", says Derick. "But now they don't sell them because of second hand smoke. I understand non-smokers have rights, but what about us smokers? Don't we have rights as Americans? Oh, right, we aren't in America when we are up in here."

Derick hands me the Commissary order sheet. It is a Scantron-type form, with little circles to fill out the numerals for item number and quantity. A single serving of Raisin Bran, number 65173. Two aspirin, number 32076.

I stock up on some toiletries and non-perishable food to eat on Sundays, the day I can not go out to work. I order a deluxe flexible shank-proof toothbrush, a bar of soap, toothbrush holder and soap case, and shampoo. For food I get 5 granola bars and 5 single servings of Raisin Bran. Also, a yellow tablet, two pens, and 4 two-pill packets of aspirin. Together, these items will cost me over $38.00. Brenda had dropped off a $50 Money Order so I have some spending money on my prison account until I get paid.

While I was sitting at our metal desk doing the Scantron my neighbor from across the hall stopped by. "Man, you have to make your bed, man," he scolded me. "Didn't your cellie show you what to do?"

Derick responded "I did but he don't listen."

Which was true. Derick tried to explain why his sheets stayed on the bed but I didn't really care. It is, after all prison.

"Look how nice mine looks," my neighbor said as he pointed across the hall. His cot actually looked like a made-bed with fitted sheets. "Have some pride while you are in here, Presario."

I felt compelled. I made my bed by tying together ends of the larger sheet around the bottom of my mattress.

Later, during evening Blockout I drop the Scantron form into the box labeled "Stores". Derick says we will get our orders on Thursday morning.