Today’s links Greedflation, but for prisoners: The first-ever survey of national prison commissary prices is a fucking nightmare. Hey look at this: Delights to delectate. This day in history: 2009, 2019, 2023 Upcoming appearances: Where to find me. Recent appearances: Where I’ve been. Latest books: You keep readin’ em, I’ll keep writin’ ’em. Upcoming books: Like I said, I’ll keep writin’ ’em. Colophon: All the rest. Greedflation, but for prisoners (permalink) Today in “Capitalists Hate Capitalism” news: The Appeal has published the first-ever survey of national prison commissary prices, revealing just how badly the prison profiteer system gouges American’s all-time, world-record-beating prison population: https://theappeal.org/locked-in-priced-out-how-much-prison-commissary-prices/ Like every aspect of the prison contracting system, prison commissaries – the stores where prisoners are able to buy food, sundries, toiletries and other items – are dominated by private equity funds that have bought out all the smaller players. Private equity deals always involve gigantic amounts of debt (typically, the first thing PE companies do after acquiring a company is to borrow heavily against it and then pay themselves a hefty dividend). The need to service this debt drives PE companies to cut quality, squeeze suppliers, and raise prices. That’s why PE loves to buy up the kinds of businesses you must spend your money at: dialysis clinics, long-term care facilities, funeral homes, and prison services. Prisoners, after all, are a literal captive market. Unlike capitalist ventures, which involve the risk that a customer will take their business elsewhere, prison commissary providers have the most…Pluralistic: Greedflation, but for prisoners Greedflation, but for prisoners (20 Apr 2024)