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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: Residential drug abuse program (rdap)

There are no federal sentences that force an inmate into drug rehabilitation. Your inmate was NOT sentenced in federal court to do RDAP, if they get it it's great, but it's not a part of the sentence at all. It could be a recommendation but the Federal Bureau of Prisons makes all the decisions, the judge has nothing to do with it once they are property of the BOP. RDAP is voluntary, but if eligible, it is the only way

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Subject: Relationship issues

Yes, I had a couple of pen pals who rode out my bid with me. One I met in the visiting room (she was visiting another inmate), where we had a physical attraction. That pen pal seemed more real to me, I made greater efforts to let myself be more open than the one who just started writing me (from a news account of my trial). Neither went beyond the intimate letters and occasional phone calls. They bought me magazines

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Subject: Arrest record search

Yes, we would be ahppy to help you locate your loved one. We need their name and the state you think they are incarcerated in. Was the crime a state or federal crime? Also, if you have their DOB, that might help. Sometimes the information is very recent and we would have to refer you to a pay service that has the freshest information. It's about $20, but if you are really in need, that is the best option.

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Subject: Medical treatment

Yes, eyeglasses are permitted in every classification of prison and/or jail. Just be sure to disclose that you are bringing them so that they do not see you passing the inmate something which is certain to cause a big ruckus.

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Subject: Send inmate mail

There is a California State Statute that permits the prison mail room to hold incoming mail for inmates up to three weeks. It does not happen often, but they have that right and sometimes they enforce it.

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Subject: Release questions

If another county has placed a detainer on your person, the release on the 28th will not be a release into the community. Instead of walking out the front door, he will transfer directly into the custody of the county that filed the detainer. A detainer is a formal legal hold placed by one jurisdiction requesting that another facility notify them before releasing an individual and hold them briefly so they can take custody. When that detainer is active

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Subject: Inmateaid website questions

Yes, the inmate profiles are set up by Users of the site. They can set up an inmate profile or use one that is already on the website. There are no restrictions, but one User cannot see if another User is connected to the inmate you are following. There are a lot of famous inmates doing time. Users like to reach out and write them or send them pictures or other things. Aaron Hernandez, before his death and OJ

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Subject: Release questions

There is no single word for it. Unbelievable is close. After 15 or more years inside, freedom does not land the way most people imagine it from the outside. It does not feel like flipping a switch. It is more like stepping off a ship after a very long voyage and realizing the ground is solid but your legs have forgotten what solid means. The first thing you notice is the volume of choices. What to eat, where to

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Subject: Relationship issues

Yes, we have more than one person write. When you're locked up you have nothing but free time. To us, the more letters, the better. For calls, in federal inmates may only talk 300 minutes per month (400 minutes in Nov. and Dec.), state inmates can talk all day if they have the funds on their account. Many penpals will send money so that the inmate will call them. Some do, some don't We don't mean to play mind games,

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Subject: Send inmate mail

Yes, they make it easy. Once you get a name or two, you should use this service, everyone does as it's cheaper and recognized by the jails and prisons

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