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Ask a former inmate questions at no charge. The inmate answering has spent considerable time in the federal prison system, state and county jails, and in a prison that was run by the private prison entity CCA.

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Subject: Work release

Even in a work release setting, visitation in Alabama is not open to just anyone who shows up. The Alabama Department of Corrections requires every inmate to maintain two separate approved visitor lists, one for immediate family and one for friends. Both lists require pre-approval before anyone is allowed to visit, regardless of their relationship to the inmate. Work release can give the impression of a more relaxed environment since inmates are leaving the facility for employment during the

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Subject: General prison questions-terminology

Yes, losing phone privileges is a very common punishment after a fight. When an inmate is involved in a physical altercation, the facility will issue a disciplinary report. Depending on how serious the incident was, the penalties can vary. Common punishments include: Loss of phone privileges Loss of commissary access Loss of visitation Placement in segregation, also called the SHU or “the hole” Removal from general population About phone calls: Calls are

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Subject: Release questions

Finding an accurate release date starts with the Judgment and Commitment document, which is the official court order that lays out exactly what sentence was imposed and under what terms. That document is what the Georgia Department of Corrections uses to calculate how long someone will actually serve, and it is the most reliable starting point for any sentence calculation. In Georgia, most inmates are required to serve 85 percent of their imposed sentence before becoming eligible for release.

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Subject: Send inmate mail

In most cases, mail is not forwarded when an inmate is transferred to a new facility. What usually happens: The mailroom checks the inmate location If the inmate is no longer there, the letter is typically returned to sender Some facilities may discard it if there is no valid return address Why mail is not forwarded: Facilities do not coordinate mail between institutions Transfers can happen quickly and without notice Each facility operates independently

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Subject: Inmate phone calls

You have to get the number to your inmate. No facility will pass on messages to inmates (as a general strict rule). If you would like to use our letter service on the house, email us at aid@inmateaid.com and we will send you a coupon code with instructions on how to write your inmate and inform them of the new number to dial out.

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Subject: General prison questions-terminology

You are good on all fronts. The money will make it, the mail will make it by InmateAid or by your own hand. There is still going to be delays as the mail staff opens and inspects all of the incoming mail.

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Subject: General prison questions-terminology

The short answer is nothing. You cannot bring gifts directly to an inmate during a visit. It does not matter how small or harmless the item seems. Anything you try to bring in will be turned away at the door and depending on what it is could create problems for you and your loved one. Most facilities will allow you to bring a small amount of cash for the vending machines in the visitation area. That is typically the

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Subject: Survive prison

Mostly, prison is not like what you see on television. It is boring and the best way for an inmate to do their time is to stay busy with some sort of routine. Inmates that have goals and want to come out better than they went in will survive the experience. There are fights but the consequences of having them is that it will make the time ahead more difficult on the inmates involved. There is TV, there is exercise, there is a library, recreation areas and plenty

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Subject: General prison questions-terminology

When an inmate first arrives at a facility like High Desert, there is a short adjustment period before normal communication begins. Phone calls: He will go through intake and orientation (A&O) first During this time, calls are usually restricted or not allowed yet He will need to submit and get his phone list approved Once approved, he can start calling you This process typically takes a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the facility. If you

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Subject: Sentence reduction

If they have substantial information that can lead to the arrest and conviction of another person, they will get a reduction. If they save the life of a prison worker, they will get a reduction. If they get a sentence commutation from the governor or president; and if they are in federal prison and can take the RDAP program, they will get a year off plus up to another year of guaranteed halfway house.

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