Does Ask the Inmate Connect Me Directly to My Inmate?

Ask the Inmate is not a direct messaging service to a specific incarcerated person. It is a question and answer forum where you can ask anything about how the prison and jail system works, and a knowledgeable former inmate answers based on firsthand experience. Think of it as getting advice from someone who has been inside and knows how things actually operate.

To actually communicate with your inmate through InmateAid, go to your account, click on the Inmate Page, and then click Letters. From there you can send letters, postcards, and photos directly to your inmate at their facility. That is the communication tool on the site.

For care packages, policies vary by facility. Many jails and prisons have strict restrictions on what can be sent from outside and often require packages to come through approved vendors rather than directly from family. The best starting point is calling the facility and asking what their current package policy is and which vendors they allow.