Commissary Restrictions at Marion County ADC: What Changes When Someone Is on Restriction or in Segregation

At Marion County ADC, commissary isn’t treated as a guaranteed service. The handbook is clear that commissary is a privilege, not a right, and it can be withheld for just cause. That one policy is the reason families sometimes see orders stop, shrink down to basics, or get delayed when someone’s status changes.

Two common situations that affect buying power are restriction status and disciplinary segregation. If someone is placed on restriction status, their commissary options narrow to essentials. If they’re in disciplinary segregation, commissary is also limited, but the allowed categories are slightly different. Either way, the main thing to plan for is that “normal commissary” usually isn’t available until the restriction or segregation status is over.

When someone is on restriction status at Marion County ADC, commissary purchases are limited to personal hygiene items. That means even if there’s money on their account, they generally won’t be able to use commissary for the usual add-ons - restriction is designed to cut purchases back to the basics while the status is in place.

Outside of restriction, inmates are able to order commissary once a week, so timing matters if they’re trying to stay stocked on hygiene. Your person can also check their commissary account balance on the tablet, which helps them plan what they can afford when their choices are limited. If you’re thinking about adding funds, it’s worth having them confirm their balance and current status first so money doesn’t just sit there while privileges are restricted.

In disciplinary segregation, commissary purchases are limited to writing materials and hygiene items. That usually means the focus is on necessities (hygiene) and basic supplies to write letters or requests, not snacks or extras. And just like with restriction status, the handbook frames commissary as a privilege that can be withheld for just cause, so access and options can be tighter while someone is in seg.

Hot Cart is tied to commissary funds, and restriction can cut it off completely. At Marion County ADC, inmates on commissary restriction may not participate in Hot Cart services. If your person is used to supplementing meals with Hot Cart, that’s a big day-to-day change - especially because the facility also treats “saved” Hot Cart food as a rule violation.

• ✓ Hot Cart items must be eaten during meal service and by bunk-in time.
• ✓ Re-sealable beverages may be kept only if they’re closed and still have the original contents.
• ✓ Accumulated Hot Cart items are considered contraband and will be destroyed.

1. Ask them to check their balance on the tablet - inmates can view their commissary account balance there.
2. Confirm what status they’re currently on - a restriction status can change what they’re allowed to buy, even if funds are available.
3. Plan deposits around what they can actually use - if they’re restricted to basics, it may make sense to wait until regular privileges return before adding more money.

It’s frustrating to put money on an account and then find out purchases are limited, but Marion County ADC’s policy is that commissary is a privilege and may be withheld for just cause. The most productive first move is usually to have your person confirm their current status and what they’re allowed to purchase right now, then follow the facility’s normal procedures if something doesn’t match what they’re being told.