Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre canteen: Inmate reveals surprising items on offer

An ex-con has revealed all the items she could buy while in prison, including Arnott’s Shapes, tins of Milo, and even jewelry if she wanted to – and they were all offered at surprisingly discounted prices.

The woman was released from the high-security Brisbane Women’s Correctional Center on Monday, taking one of the facility’s canteen order forms as a reminder of her time in service.

The woman’s boyfriend, with whom she currently resides, shared a photo of the order form on Reddit, which shows the extensive list of items available to inmates.

“This is my friend’s order form from the Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre. It’s like Uber eats, a little bit,” the friend wrote.

‘You order from this list, they debit your account and send you the items.’

The friend explained that the former inmate was making about $150 a week, which she used to buy items on the order form.

The order form, dated August 19, divided available items into categories, including health and medical, hygiene products, hair care, underwear, stationery, cosmetics, jewelry, beverages and chocolate.

Reddit users were shocked by the range of items available and equally surprised by the facility’s reasonable prices.

‘It’s good to see that inflation hasn’t hit them. Greeting card for under $2. Bargain, usually $6 each at the local newsagent,” wrote one Reddit user.

‘Can I shop there? It’s cheaper than my local supermarket,’ another user shouted.

“Holy crap, most of these things are much cheaper than out of jail, I think it’s time for the crime,” a third user joked.

A 200g can of Milo costs $3.93 in the prison cafeteria, while at Woolworths and Coles the same product costs $4.50.

Inmates can also buy a 50-pack of Equal sweetener sachets for $3.65, while it costs $4.20 on supermarket shelves.

Cadbury Dairy Milk or Old Gold Dark Chocolate costs inmates $3.35 for a 180g block – $1.65 cheaper than the amount people pay at a regular supermarket.

Tim Tams sells for $3.89 in jail, but costs $4 and $4.50 respectively at Woolworths and Coles. While a 45 gram KitKat costs $1.45 behind bars and $2 in stores.

Inmates at the Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre, in Queensland, (pictured) can order items from a number of categories, including health and medical, hygiene products, hair care, underwear, stationery, cosmetics, jewellery, beverages and chocolate

Other items available to inmates include birthday cards and prepaid envelopes for $1.92, a silver cross for $6.36 or $6.88 for a silver crucifix with a chain, tinted moisturizer for $4.16, and a pack of three ankle socks for $11.73.

The cheapest and most expensive items available were an eraser and Natures Own Glucosamine Sulfate 240 tablets for $0.31 and $27.99, respectively.

“Compared to the cost of commissary offices in the US, with their private prisons, it is inconveniently heartwarming to see the correctional centers here not blatantly taking advantage of the orders,” one user wrote.

‘Yes, some of those prices are cheaper than Woolies… but I don’t begrudge them that. The punishment is being in a cage,” commented another user.

The cheapest and most expensive items available were an eraser (left) and Natures Own Glucosamine Sulfate 240 Tablets (right) for $0.31 and $27.99, respectively.

Users joked about the lack of Vegemite on the menu, saying that internationally roasted coffee was the only coffee available, a “cruel and unusual punishment.”

Other users were shocked that inmates had to pay for basic hygiene and sanitary products such as toothbrushes and tampons.

‘After the first relief has worn off, you realize that there are still a lot of people locked up without tampons and toothbrushes. Basic stuff like that should be free, or at least close to it,” one user wrote.

The prisoner said to the friend, “They will give you some toiletries for free, but not much. Really only enough to survive until someone gives you money.’

Toothpaste costs ranged between $3.37 and $7.45, while a Colgate toothbrush was offered for $2.12.

Inmates can purchase a pack of 10 Poise liners for $1.95 or a pack of 22 for $4.53.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Brisbane Women’s Correctional Center for comment.