City Council Examines Impact of Kei Group’s Commissary Contract on Incarcerated Individuals’ Access to Essentials

In a recent public meeting held on January 30, 2025, the New York City Council discussed the implications of the Kei Group’s commissary services contract on the access incarcerated individuals have to basic needs. The meeting, hosted by the Committees on Criminal Justice and Contracts, highlighted key concerns regarding the adequacy and fairness of services provided to people in custody.

The contract with the Kei Group, initiated as an emergency measure during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022, was justified by the Department of Corrections (DOC) on the grounds of efficiency and necessity. The DOC stated that it required a vendor with robust staffing and supply chains to ensure consistent service delivery when traditional methods faced severe disruptions due to the pandemic (Source: https://youtu.be/n0sSU_pRNPs&t=70).

Questions arose regarding the contract’s procurement process, particularly why a standard Request for Proposal (RFP) was not issued before extending Kei’s contract. The DOC explained that the emergency context required rapid action, and they were satisfied with the service provided by Kei, leading to the decision to negotiate an extension without soliciting other vendors (Source: https://youtu.be/n0sSU_pRNPs&t=163).

Critics of the contract raised concerns over transparency and the price of commissary items. They noted that some items, such as menstrual products for women, were significantly more expensive than retail alternatives, despite the city’s legislative mandate to provide hygiene items free of charge (Source: https://youtu.be/n0sSU_pRNPs&t=807). DOC representatives responded that while daily management of these contracts aims to ensure fair pricing, they occasionally reject price increases and monitor service quality closely (Source: https://youtu.be/n0sSU_pRNPs&t=556).

Moreover, the meeting revealed alarming trends in service performance. Incidents concerning expired items and undelivered packages prompted the DOC to reevaluate its contract with Kei, and assurances were made that these issues were being addressed through menu updates and supplier negotiations (Source: https://youtu.be/n0sSU_pRNPs&t=5408). The DOC emphasized their commitment to improving oversight and these procedures would be part of a broader review of all contracts in the near future (Source: https://youtu.be/n0sSU_pRNPs&t=3221).

The discussion also touched on systemic challenges related to grievances filed by incarcerated individuals regarding commissary accessibility. Some participants argued that the reported grievance process was cumbersome and ineffective, while DOC representatives contended that an improving feedback system aligned with service delivery was in place (Source: https://youtu.be/n0sSU_pRNPs&t=892).

These findings raise significant questions about the adequacy of available commissary services and their effects on incarcerated individuals’ access to basic needs. As a result, the city must address these shortcomings and evaluate the effectiveness of its current contracts to ensure that the rights and well-being of those in custody are adequately protected.