Subject: Release questions
It starts with his original Judgement and Commitment Order received when he was sentenced. If parole is an option, the terms would be found in this document. If he is indeed set for a Parole Hearing in November, he will have been given a package of information, maybe requiring some written responses to questions. He would meet a Board that would assess whether they agree to let him back into society. They weigh the risks to the community with the...
Read moreSubject: Parole, probation & supervised release
This is not a direct connection to a particular inmate. You are communicating with a former inmate that has seen a lot and knows most of the answers you are seeking. If you would like to send your thoughts in a letter, simply click Letters and Photos or Postcards and type out your feelings, he will be reading them in a couple days.
Subject: Prison discipline
There is really no difference. They are all segregated custody from either an Administrative Order (AO) or a Disciplinary Order.(DO). The SHU is short for Special Housing Unit, Security Housing Unit or Segregated Housing Unit. and PC is "protective custody".
It sounds like something happened that caused the administration to declare him for PC on an DO. We interpret this to mean he was threatened (or threatened someone else) and it is being determined is he is a safety issue in the general population....
Read moreSubject: Inmate transfer
Fire camp is a miminum security prison in the CDCR. It is a perk for inmates to have a job that is outside the confines of the prison walls or fences. If your inmate gets to finish his bid at the camp, he will be released from there. Depending on the release conditions, he will likely have a probation officer that he reports to for a period of time. Some inmates get released into society straight from the camp, others...
Read moreSubject: Send inmate mail
The only reasons that photos get returned is if the staff thinks there is either alcohol, drugs, gang-related or nudity on display in the images.
Subject: Marriage in prison
Getting married in the prison is not granted to all inmates. For instance, short-timers never usually get an approval. Your inmate would have to qualify for the privilege. The candidate for marriage is a long time sentence with good behavior in a prison system that permits it. To start the process, have your inmate meet with the chaplain to see if he qualifies and go from there.
Subject: Money transfer
Significant other - they won't tell you? They should definitely know their sentence and especially their "out date". Every inmate knows the date they are to be released. If you are really significant, you could call the facility and ask to speak with the counselor - they also are certain to have the release date.
Subject: Inmateaid website questions
Yes, we coordinate well with all of the CDCR facilities. The fire camps are minimum security state facilities that provide good work release opportunities for inmates that qualify, but it's state prison nonetheless. Please let us know what services you'd like to try out and we will send you a coupon code via email. In fact, anyone that asks for a coupon code will get one.
Subject: Inmate phone calls
Yes. If your situation changes, whether your inmate is transferred to a different facility or you need a number configured for a different location, InmateAid can set up a new line for you. Email aid@inmateaid.com with the updated facility information and the team will establish the new service. In situations where the original number did not work as expected, InmateAid has offered the first month at no charge as a goodwill gesture.
On the refund question more broadly: when a phone...
Read moreSubject: Bail & bond questions
Getting released on a $50,000 bond without any payment is not realistic. The bond system exists to ensure he appears at all court dates, and the court will not simply waive it. A bail bondsman can secure his release for approximately 10 percent of the total bond amount, which in this case would be around $5,000, and may also require collateral such as a car or real property. That 10 percent fee is not returned once the case resolves. If...
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