Q&A
Availability and pricing of menstrual products for inmates
0:24:10
ยท
167 sec
Council members inquire about the availability and pricing of menstrual products for women inmates. DOC representatives clarify the policy on free menstrual products and explain the presence of purchasable options in the commissary.
- DOC confirms that menstrual products are provided free of charge to women who need them.
- Purchasable options in the commissary are available for those who prefer specific brands.
- DOC representatives are unable to provide a comprehensive list of all available menstrual product types but confirm that tampons and pads are available for free.
Julie Won
0:24:10
Okay.
0:24:11
And, I want to recognize council member Hanif, who has joined us on Zoom, as well as Einar council member Einar Vernekoff, who has just joined us.
0:24:20
In relation to the contract, for Keefe, we saw that we had passed legislation requiring that women's hygiene products are available to inmates.
0:24:31
But we saw that on your Keefe contract that there is a commissary charge for the menstrual products, almost double what it is in CVS.
0:24:39
Can you tell us more about what's happening with menstrual products for women inmates?
Nell McCarty
0:24:44
Yes.
0:24:45
My name is Nell McCarthy.
0:24:46
I'm the deputy commissioner for the division of programs and community partnerships.
0:24:50
I do just wanna highlight that menstrual products are free, of charge for women, who are in need of the menstrual products.
0:24:58
And so any item and actually, generally, the necessities that people need who are in our care are provided for free.
0:25:08
So a woman does not need to, purchase menstrual pads or any menstrual products through commissary.
0:25:16
There are different brands.
0:25:17
And so the brand that may be available on commissary may be different from what the brand is within the facility, and I cannot speak to that for certain at this exact moment.
0:25:26
But I am aware, that all menstrual products are free for women.
Julie Won
0:25:31
Okay.
0:25:31
So the pricing that is listed on the commissary contract for female menstrual products, are there for sample, or are they still being sold?
Nell McCarty
0:25:41
They're available for purchase.
0:25:43
Someone can purchase them.
0:25:44
Mhmm.
0:25:44
But as mentioned, it it may be a different brand or a brand name that someone prefers, but there are free and available menstrual products for women within the facilities.
Julie Won
0:25:53
Okay.
0:25:53
Thank you for that.
0:25:54
How much did come oh, yeah.
Sandy Nurse
0:25:57
Because this was a conversation we had earlier.
0:25:59
Just to clear, just to have on the public record, what are the types of menstrual products that are you're offering for free?
0:26:04
Because there's a variety.
Nell McCarty
0:26:09
I do not have a list of that with me right now, and I'm I'm just hesitant to give you, like, the exact Yeah.
0:26:15
Breakdown of every single product.
Sandy Nurse
0:26:16
I do.
0:26:17
Brand, but if, you know, if it's yeah.
0:26:19
If you can let them know.
0:26:20
Pads, cups, like, just to make sure we have for the public record exactly what items, like Yes.
0:26:25
And at least only one type, that might be why people are purchasing you.
James Conroy
0:26:28
I I'm I'm it's there are tampons and pads available.
0:26:32
Beyond that, we could certainly follow-up.
0:26:33
But definitely, vary
Mercedes Narcisse
0:26:36
various types.
Julie Won
0:26:37
Okay.
0:26:37
That would be great.
0:26:38
Because when we my team had checked into the law, it said that we saw that for DOC, only menstrual cups were available.
0:26:47
And we thought maybe that is why they're purchasing.
0:26:49
But if that is not true, that's great to hear.
James Conroy
0:26:51
It's definitely yes.
0:26:52
We definitely have those other products that are provided free of charge.
Julie Won
0:26:55
Okay.
0:26:56
Great.
James Conroy
0:26:56
Yeah.