Ask The Inmate. Real answers from people who've been there.

Restriction 31 refers to a disciplinary suspension of an inmate's visitation privileges under Florida Administrative Code Rule 33-601.731. It is one of the more serious restrictions a Florida DOC inmate can receive and understanding what it means will help you navigate the situation. What causes Restriction 31 This restriction is typically triggered by serious infractions including attempting to pass contraband such as drugs, money, or weapons into the facility, unauthorized use of a cell phone, or physical violence. It can be applied...

InmateAid is a public Q&A forum where former inmates answer general questions about the prison system. It is not a direct messaging service — your loved one cannot see or receive anything submitted here. To actually get a message to someone who is incarcerated, InmateAid offers several services that deliver directly to them at their facility: Letters and photos, postcards, and greeting cards can all be sent from your phone or computer and delivered as real physical mail that your loved one...

Inmates are informed about the availability of phone minutes or funds for calls through several mechanisms, depending on the facility and the phone service provider used. The methods commonly include: Automated System Notifications: Many inmate phone systems, such as those provided by GTL, Securus, or Telmate, inform inmates about their account balance when they attempt to place a call. If funds are available, the system allows the call to proceed. If not, the system notifies the inmate that there are insufficient...

If you are currently on probation and wish to visit or receive phone calls from an inmate housed in the ADC Grimes Unit, you’ll need to obtain specific documentation and permissions from your probation officer to include with your application. Here’s what you generally need and the steps to follow: 1. Obtain Written Permission from Your Probation Officer: Approval Letter: You will need an official letter from your probation officer granting you permission to have contact with the inmate. This letter should...

It's understandable to feel concerned when you haven't received a response from your inmate, despite sending several letters and providing your phone number and email. There are a variety of reasons why your inmate might not be responding, and here are some of the most common possibilities: 1. Mail Delays or Restrictions: Mail Processing Time: Letters sent to and from correctional facilities can take longer to reach their destination due to the facility's mail processing procedures. Incoming and outgoing mail is often...

When you deposit money into an inmate's account to enable them to make phone calls, the inmate will typically be informed in one of the following ways: 1. Notification via Inmate Account System: Account Balance Updates: In most correctional facilities, inmates have access to kiosks or tablets where they can check their commissary or phone account balance. When you deposit funds, the balance will reflect the updated amount, and your loved one will be able to see that there is money available...

It's natural to have concerns and questions about your husband's feelings, especially given the limited contact you've had while he's incarcerated. In situations like this, many factors could influence the frequency of communication, and it's important to consider these aspects before drawing any conclusions about his feelings for you. 1. Challenges of Incarceration: Restricted Communication: Incarceration often imposes significant limitations on how and when inmates can communicate with loved ones. Access to mail, phone calls, or other communication methods might be limited...

The Bureau of Prisons has been rolling out tablet access across federal facilities through a contract with GTL, and FCI Bennettsville is part of the federal system that has received tablets as part of that initiative. At most BOP facilities where tablets have been deployed, inmates can use them to access CorrLinks email, which is the federal system's electronic messaging platform. This is one of the primary functions of the tablets and allows inmates to send and receive messages without having...

Yes to the first question. In most county jails, phone calls can be paid for directly from the inmate's trust fund or commissary account. The funds sit in their account and get deducted when calls are made, the same way commissary purchases work. This is one of the reasons putting money on an inmate's books matters beyond just snacks and hygiene products, it also covers their ability to call out. On the prepaid account question: no. When you set up a...

Any cash an inmate has on them when they are booked gets taken by facility staff and held securely. It does not disappear. The money is logged and deposited directly into the inmate's trust account, which is the same account used for phone calls and commissary purchases. So if your person walked in with cash, that money is already working for them inside without anyone on the outside needing to do anything. For adding money from the outside, the process depends...

Usually yes, at least partially. When a deposit hits an inmate's account, whether through commissary or AdvancePay for phone calls, the inmate typically receives a receipt or notification that shows the deposit amount and in most cases a last name associated with the transaction. Some systems show a first initial and last name. Others show the full name depending on the platform and the facility. What they generally do not see is your full account details, address, or payment information. The...

There are three ways phone calls work from a county jail, and understanding the difference between them matters because the cost varies dramatically depending on which option you use. The first is the inmate paying from their own account. If money has been deposited onto their books, the cost of each call gets deducted directly from their trust account when they dial. This is the standard setup and the one most families use once they have funded the account. The second is...

Yes, inmates can send as many letters as they want through the regular postal system. There are no restrictions on how many outgoing letters an inmate can write, and the mail goes out through USPS just like any other letter. The cost falls entirely on the inmate's end, not yours. Postage stamps are available through the facility commissary and come out of the inmate's trust account when purchased. A standard first class stamp covers a regular letter anywhere in the country,...