DannyBoyinExile

We can buy a variety of appliances in TDCJ, and many inmates have become so accustomed to them that they can’t imagine doing time without them.
Traditionally, the most important of these has always been the radio – and it also happens to be one of the best deals on commissary. They have been $20 for so many years that we didn’t think the price would EVER change – but alas, they recently went up to $22. (We thought the same thing about the Ramen noodles: they were 25¢ for as long as anyone in TDCJ can remember, but they went up as well, and are now 35¢). That’s still an excellent deal. (For the radios, I mean. The soups, not so much). That gets you an AM/FM radio, complete with headphones – which also contains an alarm clock. It was the most important appliance to us because it was our ENTERTAINMENT, and could keep us occupied on any custody level, during lockdowns, and during any calamity except the power going out. If you didn’t have one, chances are your cellie did, and most people living in a cell together had no problem working out visitation rights.
Besides the music, there are talk shows, with the latest conspiracy theories, sports to keep up with your gambling, and the alarm could always be relied upon, to help you get up for work in the mornings. Sadly, my radio is collecting dust these days, and hasn’t even been plugged in, in I don’t know how long.
That’s because the tablet is the undisputed king of appliances now! It contains everything the radios did – with games, movies, podcasts, and a library, to boot! Some people still listen to their radios, since their reception is so much better. But for the most part, inmates these days could care less if they had a regular radio or not. They are downright old-fashioned, compared to the tablets. (The radios, I mean, not the inmates.)
Some people may wonder why I didn’t list a fan as the #1 appliance, considering that you could literally DIE without one. But fans are so prevalent these days that they are basically universal within TDCJ. ANY inmate who doesn’t have one can get one from the unit’s property officer – absolutely free – and there are organizations (such as the CURE) who also donate them. The only way an inmate will go without one is if he had one and sold it, or altered/destroyed it somehow. Which of course means he is an absolute moron – and he will be a hot, sweaty moron until he gets another one.
The next important item to an inmate is probably the multi-plug. Each cell in TDCJ is only equipped with two plugs: one for you, and one for your cellie. Having to choose between your fan, hot pot, radio, charger for your tablet, or night light – with only one plug – can be trying. Many inmates improvise ways to jack more plugs into each receptacle (including homemade multi-plugs), but TDCJ does sell multi-plugs for $9 – and that gives you TWO plugs to alternate between your favorite appliances. With any luck, you and your cellie will BOTH have one, to help plug in your various electrical items.
There are also night lights, for $12 – but you may as well say they cost $16.50, because you also have to buy the light bulb for it. Ideally, they would come together as a package, but they don’t. I can’t remember how many times I’ve seen an inmate buy a new night light – but they were out of light bulbs, so it did him no good… Likewise, some guys get their new light bulb, but they’re out of night lights! Either way, I consider this the least important of the appliances, because it’s strictly a luxury, and you don’t “need” it at all. If anything, I only use it so I can read or write while my cellie is asleep (which seems to be all the time!) without disturbing him. The hot pot is just as important as the radio was – especially to die-hard coffee drinkers. They are equipped with a thermostat, so they reach a certain temperature and shut off, so many inmates leave them on all day long. That way you can drink coffee, cook your food – or just give out hot water to all the freeloaders who know that you keep it on all day. I don’t mind helping out people when they need it – but I do feel like I’m working at DannyBoy’s Coffee Shop from time to time… I’m many things, but a barista I’m not!
Lastly, they do sell us electric typewriters – for a mere $360! Some inmates (especially writers, or guys who do lots of legal work) feel like they couldn’t live without one – but I can! That’s just too expensive for me. I’ve always preferred to handwrite my letters, complete with emojis, but I confess I’m getting a little spoiled by being able to type my letters as emails on the tablet. I can afford 50¢ for an email, but $360 is just too expensive of a toy for me. Well, not without another stimulus check! =~)
I have all of the appliances that are available to me (except the high-dollar typewriter), and they do make my life a little more bearable. Especially during times like lockdown, when I’m forced to spend more time in the cell. I don’t mind having to buy them, because I know they don’t HAVE to allow them at all. That’s just another way I’ve learned to be grateful for the privileges I do have around here, since things could always be worse… So says DannyBoy.