Outfitting correctional facilities with durable, secure, and tamperproof fitness equipment requires more than choosing the right products.
It involves understanding government procurement processes, funding opportunities, and how to maximize savings through bulk purchasing. Whether you're planning to equip a single facility or an entire system, this guide helps simplify the steps to purchase prison gym equipment efficiently and effectively.
Government Procurement Process
Correctional institutions follow structured procurement procedures to ensure transparency and value. Typically, the process involves:
- Needs Assessment: evaluating space, security levels, and programming goals.
- Vendor Qualification: selecting vendors with proven correctional experience and tamperproof designs.
- Procurement Method: proceeding through RFPs, state contracts, or direct awards based on your agency’s policies.
At Outdoor-Fit, we support all common procurement pathways and provide full documentation for compliance, installation, and warranty requirements.
Grant & Funding Options
Numerous funding sources are available to support prison fitness investments:
- JAG Program – Justice Assistance Grants
- State Wellness and Rehabilitation Grants
- Federal Bureau of Prisons Budgets
- Private or public partnerships for recidivism prevention
We can support your team with technical documentation and compliance information to help secure grant approvals.
Purchase & Finance Solutions for Correctional Facilities
Equipping your facility with secure, tamperproof fitness equipment has never been easier. As a GSA-approved vendor, our products are available through the GSA Schedule, giving federal and state correctional institutions across the United States access to pre-approved pricing, pre-qualified suppliers, and a streamlined procurement process. We’ve partnered with a U.S.-based, service-disabled veteran-owned small business to list our full product line on their GSA Schedule, making your purchasing process compliant, simple, and efficient.
In addition to direct purchasing, we offer flexible financing options through NCL Government Capital. As a Sourcewell-approved vendor, NCL specializes in public-sector financing tailored to government agencies. Their process enables correctional facilities to:
- Fund equipment purchases immediately — without waiting for a new budget cycle
- Spread costs over time with predictable, flexible payments
- Navigate an approval process designed for the public sector
“Working with NCL Government Capital was a learning process for all of us. In the past, our equipment purchases were limited to the funds we had on hand. We discovered financing opportunities that changed our traditional ways of thinking, which will open more doors for us in the future. NCL will be one of the first calls we make when the opportunity arises again.” — Jane Blade, Finance Director, City of Alexandria
If your budget is already allocated but your facility needs smart prison fitness solutions now, we can help. Contact our team or fill out the form on this page — we'll guide you through secure, dependable financing options.
When choosing equipment, it's equally important to evaluate the availability of corrections-grade support that ensures staff well-being and long-term usage.
Purchasing Solutions for Canadian Correctional Facilities
We support streamlined purchasing for Canadian institutions through Canoe, the Canadian counterpart to Sourcewell. Canoe uses the same cooperative purchasing contracts and protocols, allowing correctional facilities in Canada to benefit from a simplified, compliant, and cost-effective procurement process.
Funding Through the Inmate Canteen, Welfare, or Benefit Fund
Many correctional facilities fund wellness-focused purchases – including fitness equipment – through institutional funds connected to inmate finances. These include the Inmate Trust Fund, Inmate Welfare Fund, and Canteen (or Inmate Benefit) Fund. While each serves a different function, they are interconnected and regulated through institutional policies and national directives.
Inmate Trust Fund
The Inmate Trust Fund acts as a personal account for each incarcerated individual. Inmates can deposit money received from family or earned through institutional work programs, and use it to purchase canteen items or pay fines, restitution, and other financial obligations. Any remaining balance is returned upon release.
Inmate Welfare Fund
Funded by canteen profits, interest accrued on trust accounts, and other authorized revenue sources, the Inmate Welfare Fund is used to support activities that benefit the inmate population as a whole. These may include television and satellite services, recreational programming, or approved fitness equipment. Fund allocation is often calculated per inmate and is subject to compliance with internal financial directives.
Inmate Canteen
The inmate canteen allows individuals to purchase supplemental items not provided in daily institutional services – such as snacks, toiletries, and writing supplies – using money from their trust accounts. Profits from these sales are a key contributor to the Inmate Welfare Fund.
These funds may be used to purchase tamperproof fitness equipment that improves inmate health and behavior. Fund management is regulated through correctional policies to ensure transparency and accountability.
Correctional institutions regularly use these funds to support programs that enhance the quality of life for inmates. If your facility is considering fitness equipment and looking for funding sources, we can help determine whether these funds may apply.
Our Most Popular Products with Correctional Facilities
With over 600 installations across North America, our most requested units are trusted by correctional administrators for their durability, tamperproof design, and compact footprint. These machines are built specifically for secure environments, providing safe, effective workouts without compromising facility control.
Atlas Multigym
Fully enclosed strength training station with four workout zones. Ideal for maximum inmate engagement in a compact, low-maintenance design.
Spartan Multigym
Multi-user unit built for high-traffic environments. Tamperproof, weatherproof, and optimized for indoor gyms or outdoor yards.
Titan Multigym
All-in-one solution for bodyweight and resistance exercises. Rugged steel construction ensures long-term use with minimal upkeep.
Vulcan Multigym
The space-saving, durable multigym built for jail gyms. Offers multiple exercise options in one rugged and tamperproof unit.
Contact Sales for the Best Advice on Prison Fitness Equipment
Outdoor-Fit is trusted by over 600 correctional facilities across North America. From desert heat to northern winters, our tamperproof, weatherproof, and maintenance-free correctional fitness equipment performs reliably in every climate and every level of facility. We help administrators solve one of their biggest challenges: delivering safe, structured exercise opportunities without increasing security risks.
Whether you're exploring options or ready to place an order, our team is here to help. Fill out the form below, and our representative will assist you shortly.
