The Unfair Cost of Consumer Goods in the Prison System
In an era of technological advancements and competitive pricing, the cost of consumer electronics like flat-screen TVs has become more accessible to the “normal citizen”. However, a concerning and exploitative trend has persisted within the prison system, where we, incarcerated individuals, considered to be abnormal are charged exorbitant prices for TVs that pale in comparison to their market equivalents. I wish to shed light on the unfair pricing practices by companies under the Ohio Packages network, which charge significantly higher prices for smaller, lesser-known brand TVs, hindering our ability to maintain connections with the outside world.
Today, the average price for a 42″ flat-screen TV hovers around $195, reflecting the current nature of the electronics market. However, this standard is not upheld within the prison system. The Ohio Packages network of Union Supply, Walkenhorst’s, and Access SecurePak, sells 13″ and 15″ flat-screen TVs under the brands Clear Tunes, Amp, RCA, and Kiteker. These brands, with maybe the exception of RCA, lack the recognition and quality associated with mainstream electronics manufacturers. Despite this, we are still being charged far more than what these TVs are worth.
The disparity in pricing becomes evident when comparing the average market price with the prices set by the Ohio Packages network for their prison-sold TVs.
For example:
- AMP’D 15″ TV w/ speaker, remote controller & earbuds – $219
- Hiteker 15.6″ TV w/speaker, remote controller & ear buds – $245
- Clear Tunes 15†TV w/speaker, remote controller & earbuds – $222
These prices not only far exceed the value of the TVs being offered, but they also take advantage of the limited options available to prisoners. These above-mentioned brands are not reputable brands outside the prison context, effectively making them a form of “prison brand.” This creates an exploitative situation where incarcerated men and women are compelled to pay exorbitant prices for subpar products.
In the outside world, consumer protection agencies, regulatory bodies, and business bureaus play an essential role in ensuring fair pricing and protecting consumers from exploitative practices. The Ohio Packages network has managed to monopolize the prison system by controlling the only 3 vendors incarcerated individuals may choose to purchase from, meaning TVs, other appliances, clothes, sneakers, food, even board games. Incarcerated individuals are left without the ability to voice our concerns and challenge these exploitative pricing strategies beyond the internal institutional complaint process.
This exploitative pricing within the prison system highlights a deeper rooted issue that has long demanding attention. TThe unjustified prices set by companies like Walkenhorst’s, Union Supply, and Access SecurePak for TV’s, clothes, food, and other goods is predatory in nature and takes advantage of incarcerated individuals’ limited choices and resources, not just in Ohio but other states as well where their services are offered. Urgent measures are needed to establish transparency, fairness, and accountability in the prices sold to prisoners from companies and institutional commissaries. By addressing this issue with local representatives, legislators, or signing petitions the public can take action by introducing regulations and oversight mechanisms and would take a step forward creating a more equitable and just environment within correctional facilities, ensuring normality and that even behind bars, individuals and our support systems are not subject to financial exploitation.
To live for the people.
Founder & CEO of the Tranquil Earth Alliance
