An ex-prisoner has revealed all the items she could buy in prison, including Arnotts Shapes, Milo cans and even jewelry if she wanted – and all at surprisingly reduced prices.
The woman was released from the maximum-security Brisbane Women’s Correctional Center on Monday, taking one of the facility’s canteen order forms as a souvenir of her service.
The friend of the woman who she is currently staying with shared a photo of the order form on Reddit, showing the extensive list of items available to inmates.
The incredible and comprehensive order form for inmates confined at Brisbane Women’s Correctional Center
‘This is my friend’s order form from Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre. It’s like Uber eating, sort of,” the friend wrote.
“You order from this list, they deduct it from your account and ship the items to you.”
The friend explained that the former inmate made about $150 a week purchasing items on the order form.
The August 19 order form divided the available items into categories, including health and medicine, personal hygiene, hair care, lingerie, stationery, cosmetics, jewelry, beverages and chocolate.
Reddit users were shocked by the range of items available and equally surprised by the facility’s reasonable prices.
“Good to see inflation hasn’t affected them. Greeting card for less than $2. Bargain, usually $6 a piece at the local newsagent,” wrote one Reddit user.
“Can I shop there? It’s cheaper than my local supermarket,” said another user.
“Holy shit most of this stuff is way cheaper than out of jail I think it’s crime time,” joked a third user.
A 200g can of Milo is $3.93 at the prison canteen, while the same product is $4.50 at Woolworths and Coles.
Inmates can also purchase a 50-pack of Equal sweetener pouches for $3.65, while they cost $4.20 on supermarket shelves.
Cadbury Dairy Milk or Old Gold Dark Chocolate costs inmates $3.35 for a 180g block – $1.65 cheaper than what people would pay at a regular supermarket.
Tim Tams are $3.89 at the prison, Woolworths and Coles are $4 and $4.50 respectively. While a 45g KitKat costs $1.45 behind bars and $2 in stores.
Inmates at the Brisbane Women’s Correctional Center in Queensland (pictured) can order items from a range of categories including health and medicine, hygiene products, hair care, lingerie, stationery, cosmetics, jewellery, beverages and chocolate
Other items available to inmates include birthday cards and postage-paid envelopes for $1.92, a silver cross for $6.36 or $6.88 for a silver crucifix with a chain, tinted moisturizer for $4.16 and a three-pack of socks for $11.73.
The cheapest and most expensive items available were an eraser and Nature’s Own Glucosamine Sulfate 240 tablets for $0.31 and $27.99, respectively.
“Compared to what consignment goods cost in the US with its private prisons, it’s uncomfortably heartwarming to see that correctional facilities here don’t seem to benefit from the orders,” one user wrote.
“Yes, some of these prices are cheaper than Woolies… but I don’t begrudge them that. The punishment is being in a cage,” commented another user.
The cheapest and most expensive items available were an eraser (left) and Nature’s Own Glucosamine Sulfate 240 tablets (right) for $0.31 and $27.99, respectively.
Users joked that Vegemite was missing from the menu, saying it was a “cruel and unusual punishment” that international roast was the only coffee available.
Other users were shocked that inmates had to pay for basic hygiene and hygiene items like toothbrushes and tampons.
“After the initial relief wears off, you realize there must still be a lot of people locked in without tampons and toothbrushes. Basic stuff like this should be free or at least close to it,” wrote one user.
The inmate said to the friend, “They give you some toiletries for free, but not much. Basically just enough to survive until someone gives you money.’
Toothpaste prices ranged from $3.37 to $7.45, while a Colgate toothbrush was offered for $2.12.
Inmates can purchase a 10-pack of poise pads for $1.95 or a 22-pack for $4.53.
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to the Brisbane Women’s Correctional Center for comment.
