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?