I am writing to shed some light as to what's been taking place within these walls of Missouri's DOC. I have been in Ad Seg for 12 months, and during that time canteen price has gone up. State tip is $7.50 for those without a GED and $8.50 for those with a GED. We feel that if the canteen increased then the state tip should increase also, because it is hard to purchase most needed hygiene items along with other needed items such as paper, stamps and pens. Those who are in ad-seg have to purchase ad-seg pens for the price of 27 cents which are supposed to be handed out when asked for. The same with the toothpaste, we are charged for something that is supposed to be free: they put a 28 cent price tag each for a 6 oz tube of toothpaste which doesn't even last for a month.
- a Missouri prisoner, October 2005