KEEFE COMMISSARY NETWORK/KEEFE GROUP PULLS END-RUN AROUND PRICING CONTRACT WITH IDOC TO PRICE GOUGE PRISONERS

On 5/1/2022, Keefe Commissary Network (KCN) increased all commissary item prices by 8.5% - equal to the increase in the consumer price index - in accordance with §17.4 of the commissary contract with the Idaho Department of Correction. Additionally, on that same date, they discontinued several items, including many of the best-selling and easily sourced inmate food staples such as flour tortillas, pickles, black beans and saltine crackers.

Not content with the already exorbitant markups, unjust enrichments and limitation on price increases authorized by contract, KCN decided just to discontinue selling many items (within contractual authority) - then reintroduce the exact same items (most sourced from companies owned by Keefe Group) - with the exact same item/order numbers, at well more than 100% markup, effectively pulling an end-run around the limitations of the contract. This is nothing more than consumer fraud and cannot be allowed to stand.

If you have concerns about the exorbitant commissary prices, fees, taxes and commissions charged to prisoners for food and necessary hygiene items, you can lodge a complaint with the IDOC (Keefe) Contract Manager Rusty McNeil at (208) 658-2000 (www.idoc.idaho.gov) or the Keefe Group at (800) 831-6939 (www.keefegroup.com).