What to Bring and 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Shopping FCI Gilmer’s Commissary

Commissary day goes smoother when your loved one shows up prepared. At FCI Gilmer, a small misstep at the window can mean they can't shop at all - or lose that week's privilege entirely. This checklist covers what to have ready and the mistakes that trip people up most often.

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• ✓ A properly filled-out commissary shopping list
• ✓ The inmate’s commissary identification card

At FCI Gilmer's commissary window, the list you turn in is the list you're shopping. No add-ons. No substitutions. Take an extra minute beforehand to make sure the form is complete, readable, and includes exactly what they want for the week.

One rule catches people off guard: if an inmate turns in their commissary list and then leaves the commissary area, they forfeit their weekly shopping privilege. Once that list is submitted, walking out early costs them the entire week.

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• ✓ Photo tickets - $1.00 each (limit 10)
• ✓ Sweatshirts - limited to 1 (Limit 1)

Limits matter. Commissary staff enforce them, even if the item is popular or your loved one really needs it that week. Photo tickets are a good example - $1.00 each, but capped at 10. Clothing works the same way; sweatshirts are limited to one. Checking the commissary list for limits before turning it in prevents wasted picks and disappointment.

1. Showing up without the basics - Bring a properly filled-out commissary shopping list and the inmate’s commissary identification card; without both, they won’t be permitted to shop.
2. Expecting to change the order at the window - No add-ons or substitutions are permitted at the commissary window, so finalize the list before they get in line.
3. Turning in the list and leaving - If they submit the list and then leave the commissary, they forfeit their weekly shopping privilege; only turn it in if they can stay through checkout.
4. Forgetting the photo ticket cap - Photo tickets are $1.00 each and limited to 10, so don’t plan on buying more than the limit.
5. Trying to order more than one sweatshirt - Sweatshirts are limited to one, so pick the right size and don’t waste a line item on an extra that can’t be purchased.

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• ✓ Confirm they have their commissary identification card ready to present at the window
• ✓ Double-check that the commissary shopping list is properly filled out before they turn it in
• ✓ Verify item limits ahead of time (for example: photo tickets are limited to 10)
• ✓ If they’re ordering clothing, watch for single-item limits (for example: sweatshirts are limited to 1)

The best way to help from the outside is to keep things simple. Have your loved one use the most current commissary list, fill it out clearly, and plan around limits so nothing gets wasted. If anything looks unclear - especially pricing - they should verify it against the latest commissary paperwork before shopping day.