Drug Markets Thrive in US Prisons

The War on Drugs has resulted in an amazing amount of locked-up drug dealers, users and addicts. Given these ingredients, it's not surprising that US prisons host miniature versions of the wider drug market. Every facility has its own black economy, through which every drug imaginable is available—only in more limited quantities than on the outside. "You can get whatever you want in here," one current prisoner tells The Fix, requesting anonymity for fear of reprisals from prison authorities. "Marijuana, heroin, whatever. They had oxy-80s on the pound for $160 each. It's way more expensive than on the street, but if you got the money you can buy them." Marijuana is typically sold in ChapStick caps, and goes for $25 a cap. Heroin is usually sold in $50 or $100 papers; one gram of heroin will make twelve $100 pieces. We're talking small amounts, but in prison, just like the outside, drugs are in high demand and are a lucrative market—with prices inflated by scarcity.

"Whenever somebody makes a score, he puts the word out and all the drugs are bought up," the prisoner tells us. The preferred form of currency is books of stamps, which are valued at $6 each. "When the weed, heroin or oxys hit the yard, dudes have their stamps ready," he continues. "It's a first-come, first-serve basis, but you better have your cash in hand if you're looking to cop." Prison dealers always want payment up front. Marijuana, heroin and Oxycontin are the most popular substances overall, and supply generally meets demand. "I got busted for oxys and I can still get them in here," the prisoner reflects. "The sad thing about it all is, they lock you up for drugs and they can't even keep the drugs out of the prison."