How to Set Up Calls & Visits With a Family Member in Prison

Reconnecting with a family member you have not seen in years while they are incarcerated takes patience but it is absolutely possible. Here is how both processes work.

Phone calls

The phone call process begins entirely on your brother's end. He must initiate everything. He submits your phone number to prison staff for approval and once approved he can call you directly from the facility phones. You cannot call him. There is no inbound call option at any correctional facility.

Once his phone list is approved he will also need money on his phone account to make outgoing calls. If you want to help make sure those first calls happen, sending money to his account through an approved provider is one of the most practical things you can do right now.

Visitation

To visit your brother you will need to complete a visitor application and submit it to the facility for approval. The facility runs a background check on all prospective visitors to confirm they are not current or former inmates and have no disqualifying criminal history. Approval timelines vary by facility but typically take one to four weeks.

Once approved visits are scheduled according to the facility's visitation calendar. Contact the facility directly to confirm their current visitation schedule and any specific requirements for new visitors.

Finding your brother

If you are not certain which facility he is currently housed at InmateAid's free inmate search can help you locate him. Having his current facility information is the first step before any call or visit can be arranged.

InmateAid can help with sending money, letters, and magazines once you have his location confirmed. The rest of the process is between you, your brother, and the facility directly.

After all these years, the door is worth opening.