As the war with Iran continues to rage, Missouri prisoners are anxious over the rapidly rising cost of fuel.
Residents of Southeast Correctional Center are feeling the effects. According to people I spoke to, families are sending less money and making fewer visits. Sadness has enveloped many here as family members are unable to afford monthly iCare meals.
iCare meals are a big-ticket item inside SECC that can be ordered online. They are popular with families because they can order nicer products, including restaurant-grade foods such as boneless wings, bacon cheeseburgers, waffle fries with cheese, Philly cheesesteaks and pizza.
The impact is felt most by prisoners whose family or friends live far away from the facility.
Here is what a handful of residents at SECC had to say about the rising costs.
Panda: “My mother has gone into crisis mode. She refuses to put money on my JPay phone account and to send me money for the canteen. She also told me she couldn’t order me a turkey pizza and buffalo wings from iCare.”
Brittany: “I am unable to see my son because no one wants to pay for the gas to bring him six hours away. It hurts so bad. I love my boy and want to see him. I pray oil prices go down and the war ends soon.”
Bama Boy: “My mother drives from 12 hours away. She was supposed to come see me during her spring break from work. She won’t be coming now, citing the high price of oil. It hurts that I have grown used to her frequent visits. Seeing her helps me cope.”
Seddy: “My grandmother is my only living relative and she is 71. She is retired and flies to come see me. She warned me that airline prices are skyrocketing due to the high cost of jet fuel, so she won’t be coming to see me. I pray this war ends or the oil starts flowing again.”