Samourai Wallet Co-Founder Details Prison Economy Based on Mackerel Pouches

Keonne Rodriguez, co-founder of Samourai Wallet, has shared insights into the informal economic system operating within FPC Morgantown federal prison camp in his second letter since incarceration began in late December.

Rodriguez describes how pouches of mackerel—nicknamed "Macks"—serve as the primary currency for the prison's gray market economy, valued at approximately one dollar each despite their official commissary price of $1.40. The fish pouches themselves are largely inedible due to age, functioning purely as a medium of exchange.

According to Rodriguez, the shadow economy emerged due to several institutional constraints: prisoners face a $360 monthly spending limit at the commissary, earn between $0.20 and $1.00 per hour from mandatory prison jobs, and encounter artificial purchase limits on most items. Notably, mackerel pouches face no purchase restrictions, unlike stamps or other potential currency alternatives.

Inmates operate various services within this economy, including laundry services at one mackerel per garment and prepared food delivery operations. Some prisoners convert their mackerel holdings back to U.S. dollars through external associates using digital payment platforms.

Rodriguez suggests the mackerel standard persists because most inmates don't consume the product and unlimited quantities can be purchased, keeping supply stable for monetary circulation.

This marks Rodriguez's eighth day of incarceration as of December 26th.