Legal Services

	"Our sheriff used the commissary fund to purchase refreshments for his department's Fantasy Football League party. When questioned about the expense, he said the fund belonged to his department and he could do what he wanted to with it."

How may commissary funds be spent?

According to Local Government Code §351.0415(c), commissary proceeds may only be used to fund, staff, and equip a program addressing the social needs of the inmates, including an educational or recreational program and religious or rehabilitative counseling; supply inmates with clothing, writing materials, and hygiene supplies; establish, staff, and equip the commissary operation and fund the salaries of staff responsible for managing the inmates' commissary accounts; fund, staff, and equip both an educational and a law library for the educational use of inmates; or fund physical plant improvements, technology, equipment, programs, services, and activities that provide for the well-being, health, safety, and security of the inmates and the facility.