In Washington State, period products can cost upwards of $12. People in impoverished communities of families sometimes cannot afford the basics to get them through their time of the month. People incarcerated face an even different issue.
In Whitman County Jail, inmates are well taken care of when it comes to their periods. Upon arrival they are given boxes of products. If menstruators run out it is easy for them to retrieve guards and get access to new products. “The guards here are really helpful. Typically, if I need something the guards will help me in like an hour” said inmate Ashley Green. Green has been in jail for her period and has lived through it. While the experience in Whitman County Jail is above average, other jails in Washington are not as nice. Amy Balrd has been booked into numerous jails; she says that jails in Spokane are not as accommodating. Balrd recalls women fighting for products and they can purchase them with money earned after working for seven days in jail. In some jails the environment can be very encouraging and if one menstruator needs help or products, others are likely to step forward. Stephanie Lawyer said when she first went to jail, “it was sort of a taboo thing.” Lawyer says while she has been to over thirty jails herself that being around all women it’s natural and everyone understands the womanly menstrual flow. “A lot of people try and help. Females are really understanding of each other and it makes it easier on each other,” said Lawyer. Lawyer noted that while most women have each other’s back, it can be hard when the guards aren’t accommodating and the overall “culture” is rough. Products in jails are continuously being offered to women in various forms whether they have to purchase them or they are received upon arrival. On average, an inmate will typically earn around 14 cents on the dollar per hour. When products are not provided, they are forced to use what they earn to purchase products. Groups like Washington’s State University’s PERIOD. chapter are looking into other efforts to help expand knowledge and rights for menstruators who are incarnated to help earn free products for those who may not have them.
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