Feb. 18, 2015

Hobby Vendor Update

by Harlan Richards (author's profile)

Transcription

HARLAN RICHARDS
February 9, 2015

Hobby Vendor Update

On December 15, 2014, I commented on how the Wisconsin DOC issued a memo restricting prisoners to only one vendor for purchasing hobby supplies, and that vendor was charging twice as much as we used to pay for many items.

Last week, the DOC issued a memo stating that the exclusive hobby contract was currently under review. I assume that means that they are considering whether to rescind the contract for Bargain Crafts.

Most likely, there have been numerous complaints about the poor service. Orders are delayed or never filled, items are listed as out of stock, and price corrections are being made to the catalog.

On the other hand, I'd like to think that my letters to the Wisconsin Attorney General and the Dane County District Attorney resulted in the initiation of an investigation for commission of a Class H felony by the DOC staff who set up the illegal monopoly.

Either way, it's good news for the prisoners and their families. Maybe it will force the DOC to create an approval process which provides for fair prices and compensation among numerous vendors. Something so reasonable that even conventional art supply vendors will be approved for us to use.

Favorite

Replies Replies feed

We will print and mail your reply by . Guidelines

Other posts by this author

Subscribe

Get notifications when new letters or replies are posted!

Posts by Harlan Richards: RSS email me
Comments on “Hobby Vendor Update”: RSS email me
Featured posts: RSS email me
All Between the Bars posts: RSS