Texas County Considers Selling Vapes to Inmates

Apr.10.2023
Texas County Considers Selling Vapes to Inmates
Texas county sheriff proposes selling e-cigarettes to inmates for revenue without costing taxpayers, with potential of $1 million.

On April 7th, a county sheriff in Ector County, Texas told county commissioners that he believes the prison could generate "one million dollars" in revenue by selling e-cigarettes to inmates.


On Tuesday, Sheriff Mike Griffis is scheduled to deliver a statement to the court. The agenda item includes "considering, discussing, and taking any necessary action to approve the sale of electronic cigarettes to prisoners without the county or taxpayers incurring any expense; all revenue will be used for the Ector County Detention Center.


Griffiths explained to The Odessa American newspaper that each electronic cigarette costs $3.85 and comes in a box of 50.


The prison plans to order its first batch of 1000 e-cigarettes. The cost for inmates will be $14 (an increase of 364%), which includes a sales tax of $1.07. Griffiths stated that the prison will allow inmates to use their own funds to purchase e-cigarettes.


References:


The County of Texas will hold a discussion regarding the possibility of selling vaporizers to incarcerated individuals.


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