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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: Bail & bond questions

You will have to research your options. Most bailbondsmen are local. You should talk to 2-3 to make sure you are comfortable with the arrangement. Most of them charge a non-refundable 10% of the set amount of the bail. The bonding company then submits the paperwork to the court who will release the offender from custody. The bond is in place to ensure that the offender appears at all scheduled hearings. If they miss a court date, the bond is

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Subject: Sentencing questions

In most cases, the 45 days starts from the time he was taken into custody, not when he physically arrives at the ISF. So if he is already sitting in county jail waiting to be transferred: That time is usually counting toward the 45 days The clock does not reset when he gets to the ISF About “good time” or credits: Short sanctions like a 45 day ISF stay typically do not earn additional time off

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Subject: Release questions

This is serious, and it can affect his release date, but it depends on how the escape is handled. Walking away or escaping from a halfway house is still considered an escape from custody, even though it is a lower security setting. What could happen: If treated as a minor violation: He could lose privileges or good time He might still be released close to the original date If treated seriously (which is common):

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Subject: Send inmate money

No. An inmate's account balance is treated as private financial information, the same way any person's bank account would be. Facilities do not make that information available to outside parties, including family members and significant others, without the inmate's explicit authorization. The only person who can check the balance is the inmate themselves, and they can do so through whatever account access system the facility provides, typically at a kiosk, through their housing unit officer, or during commissary processing.

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Subject: General prison questions-terminology

that is not available for public release

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Subject: Survive prison

The clothing question depends entirely on the specific facility. Every institution has its own rules about personal clothing. Some places issue uniforms from the start and your clothes get bagged and stored until release. Others allow inmates to keep certain personal clothing items like plain underwear or basic jeans that family can send in later. There is no universal answer until you know where you are going to do your time. Once your facility is confirmed, you can call directly

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Subject: Sentencing questions

This is a serious situation, and there are two separate things happening at the same time: the probation violation and the new DWI 3rd offense. How long until he finds out? He should have a first appearance within a few days of arrest The probation violation hearing usually happens within a few weeks The full case (including the new DWI) can take weeks to a few months to resolve So you will likely start getting answers soon, but final outcomes take time. What

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Subject: Inmate transfer

Depends ont he arrangement they have with the US Marshal service. MOST county jails only temporarily hold federal inmates until they are taken to a privately contracted facility or their designation within the BOP.

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Subject: Treatment vs.incarceration

Yes.

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Subject: Parole, probation & supervised release

Parole is one of the hardest things to predict, and the truth is that most people are not approved on their first hearing. That does not mean your son has no chance, it just means the board tends to be cautious, especially the first time they review a case. What works in his favor: No disciplinary trouble while incarcerated Time already served, including county time If the offense was non-violent Any programs, work history, or positive reports

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