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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.

Ask your question or browse previous questions in response to comments or further questions of members of the InmateAid community.

Subject: Commissary

We said we would re-send the letters at NO CHARGE. Why are you questioning whether we did? We said we did and we keep our word...

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Subject: Sentence reduction

This situation can definitely be confusing because terms like “half time” and “33%” are often used loosely, and they do not always mean the same thing once the sentence is being calculated by the prison system. In California, most nonviolent offenses fall under what is commonly called “half time,” which means the inmate can earn up to 50% off their sentence through good behavior and participation. However, there are exceptions where the credit earning rate is reduced to about

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Subject: General prison questions-terminology

When an inmate is transferred from a county jail to a state prison (DOC), their personal property like wallets, clothing, and personal items is handled by the jail, not sent with them. What usually happens to the property: 1. Held by the jail: The facility may store the property until release This is common if no arrangements are made 2. Picked up by family or friends: Many jails allow a designated person to pick it up

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Subject: Send inmate money

At Ohio Reformatory for Women, you will need the inmate’s ID number to send money, whether you use a service or mail. Why the ID number matters: It ensures the money is applied to the correct inmate account Facilities process thousands of deposits, so names alone are not enough Your options: 1. Western Union or electronic services: Require the inmate ID number to complete the transaction Fastest way once you have the correct information 2. Money

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Subject: Send inmate mail

Delivery time: Letters sent through InmateAid usually arrive at the facility in 2–3 business days After that, mail is opened, inspected, and sorted Delivery to the inmate typically takes another 1–5 days So most inmates receive your letter within 3–7 days total, depending on the facility. What the inmate sees: Your name appears on the letter Your home address is NOT shown unless you include it yourself How they know how to write back: The letter

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Subject: Halfway house

You will know when they decide. There is no magical process that we are in on. If he was recommended six months, more than likely he will get it. Most federal inmates are getting six months these days - even more months if they started with longer sentences. Halfway house is no joke either. The inmate must look for a job and pay the house one-third of their pay for the entire six months. Newly released inmates get a false

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Subject: Send inmate mail

Inmates that have money on their inmate trust accounts can purchase stamps and envelopes at the weekly commissary. If they do not have money on their books, the prison will provide indigent inmates with all the materials necessary to send out mail to their loved ones. If your inmate writes to you directly, using your address, the cost of the mailing is a 49 cent stamp. Many of our members use the Inmate Response Mail service through InmateAid. Your inmate

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Subject: Inmate phone calls

When you set up a number for your son to call, the facility will not automatically notify him. It is your responsibility to make sure he knows. Best ways to let him know: Send him a letter with the new number clearly written Tell him during your next phone call (if possible) Make sure the number is easy to read and correct Important details: The number usually needs to be approved and added to his phone list Staff rarely

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Subject: Bail & bond questions

After your inmate goes before a judge to hear the charges read in open court will the topic of bond come up. If your inmate has a competent attorney, they will make a case to the judge for a reasonable bond amount. But, depending on the charge, if there was violence and the likelihood that the defendant will appear at all their court hearings will be the basis for whether a bond is allowed and how much it will be.

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Subject: Visitation

Visitation Hours: Visits are normally conducted on Saturdays and Sundays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The names of all visitors, 18 years old and older must be on the approved Visitors List, which is limited to ten individuals. Here is a link to the TDCJ Offender Rules and Regulations for Visitation Booklet: http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/documents/cid/Offender_Rules_and_Regulations_for_Visitation_English.pdf

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