Josh Duggar's Prison Perks Slashed After Disgusting Prank

Josh Duggar is finding life behind bars a little leaner these days. The disgraced reality TV star, serving time at FCI Seagoville in Texas for downloading and possessing child sexual abuse images, has had his prison commissary funds slashed from $360 to just $25 a month. And it has nothing to do with his behavior — it's all because of a sick prank gone wrong.

The Prank That Cost Inmates Their Meals

According to sources at the prison, an inmate mixed urine with chemicals and doused a guard, resulting in burns. The concoction was likely made from items purchased through the commissary. In response, the prison temporarily restricted commissary spending across the board — even for inmates like Josh who had nothing to do with it.

Instead of their usual $360 monthly limit, inmates were allowed to spend only $25. The policy applied to half the facility first, then the other half — reportedly to maintain fairness during the investigation.

This stingy budget left inmates scrambling. The commissary offers everything from meats and snacks to hygiene products, and many prisoners rely on these items to fill in nutritional and comfort gaps. With meal portions reportedly small and food quality questionable, the commissary is more than a luxury — it's a survival strategy.

What's Really Cooking at Seagoville?

FCI Seagoville has been under fire for serving food that inmates describe as expired, bug-infested, or simply insufficient. Complaints include milk that's gone sour, cereal with bugs, and meals with grits or a couple of ounces of meat — all considered too little to get through the day.

An insider told the U.S. Sun that "people are having to buy food from the commissary or go hungry." Yet FCI Seagoville maintains that meals are served according to national standards and denies receiving formal complaints.

Despite those denials, a lawsuit filed in February 2024 by inmate Jua-Deno Peterson claimed food was stored next to trash, meals fell under the 2,000-calorie threshold, and one incident allegedly involved trays with maggots, according to the U.S. Sun.

Commissary Crackdown and Lockdowns

The commissary restriction isn't the only cutback inmates are facing. Lockdowns have also been ramped up, with prisoners confined to their cells at least two days a week due to staffing shortages and budget issues. These lockdowns aren't unique to Seagoville — they're reportedly happening nationwide to reduce overtime expenses.

The prison claims that the commissary limitation is temporary and not a form of mass punishment. Once the investigation concludes, inmates are expected to be reimbursed for the difference in their commissary allowance.

Josh's Lavish Behind-Bars Lifestyle Takes a Hit

Before the crackdown, Josh reportedly relied on his parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, to fund his commissary account. Sources say he was pressuring them to send more money so he could enjoy "luxuries" like name-brand snacks, meat packs, and coffee while serving his sentence, according to In Touch Weekly.

Now, those little extras may be harder to come by. With the current $25 monthly limit, a pack of bacon ($3.85) or a bag of coffee ($6.50) suddenly seems like a big splurge.

Despite Conditions, Holidays Looked Festive

It's not all bad news at Seagoville. Holiday menus in recent years included items like roasted turkey, glazed ham, veggie lasagna, sweet potato casserole, and assorted pies. For Christmas, inmates were served baked Cornish hen with mashed potatoes and broccoli rice casserole. So, while the day-to-day meals may be underwhelming, the holidays are still a bit of a feast.

Final Thoughts

Josh Duggar's latest prison struggle isn't about court appeals or legal drama — it's about canned chili and expired milk. A prank that had nothing to do with him has made his prison meals even more restrictive, and for someone used to having things his way, that's a big change. While the commissary cutback may be temporary, it's a reminder that behind bars, everyone pays the price — sometimes literally.

References: Josh Duggar's prison commissary funds slashed from $360 to $25 a month after inmates complain about bug-ridden food | Josh Duggar's Prison 'Restricted Commissary' Funds Due to a Prank, Not Inmate's Food or Pest Complaints