October 3, 2008


the prison mackerel economy

Since cigarettes have been banned from prison commissaries, tins of mackerel have become the currency of choice.

Unlike those more expensive delicacies, former prisoners say, the mack is a good stand-in for the greenback because each can (or pouch) costs about $1 and few — other than weight-lifters craving protein — want to eat it.

posted by Deron Bauman in crime, economics 

comments

3 Responses to “the prison mackerel economy”

  1. Andrew Simone on October 3rd, 2008 at 9:20 am

    You may have just found the solution to America’s economic crisis.

  2. Deron Bauman on October 3rd, 2008 at 9:20 am

    snort!

  3. Rick Neece on October 3rd, 2008 at 9:36 am

    Greenmack dollar?

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