Subject: Commissary
Thank you for loving this site! You can go to [eComm Direct](tdcj.state.tx.us/php/ecommdirect/index.php) and review the items on their website.
Subject: Send books and magazines
Think of it like a wedding registry. The wish list gives others an idea of what they might get for someone they care about - it makes it easier to have a list of things you know they actually want to receive. Ask your inmate some of the things they's like on this list. What magazine titles would they like? What books interest them? Is there an author or genre that they prefer? Would they like a newspaper subscription. Inmates...
Read moreSubject: Inmate services & supplies
This comes up more than you might think, particularly in situations involving paternity questions, adoption reunions, or family members who lost contact years ago and are trying to establish a biological connection.
Bringing a consumer DNA test kit to a prison visit is not something most facilities will allow. Anything coming into a visitation room is screened carefully, and outside testing materials are not going to make it through. The concern is always contraband and chain of custody, and an outside...
Read moreSubject: General prison questions-terminology
The cost to incarcerate an inmate is an amount that is never covered by an inmate's housing charge. Most institutions are not charging inmates but the ones that do collect very small amounts compared to the actual cost the confine a prisoner. Your example is just silly, and if the inmate has money on their books, EVERY institution will take an agreed percentage specifically for restitution. Policies for charging inmates are popular with taxpayers, but collection is dubious as the...
Read moreSubject: Survive prison
There are no segregated penal systems anywhere in this country. The men and women are never placed together at any point of their incarceration
Subject: Halfway house
That might make a compelling argument for early release from halfway house - or at least home confinement. What we would advise, is to have your inmate get a stipulation from their counselor on a "what if I pay my restitution (by borrowing from a relative, will this get me to the door any sooner". You want to know that it will have some bearing before you pay it.
Subject: Inmate phone calls
Unfortunately, the inmate's calls are not and never will be free.
Subject: Send inmate mail
Usually 2-3 business days, like most mail through the USPS these days.
Subject: Inmate transfer
Their counselor will give them a receipt when money is deposited in their account.
Subject: Inmate phone calls
Yes, you still pay for the call to the phone carrier that has the contract at the jail/prison. InmateAid is not a replacement for their service, we just make the calls cheaper with a better number. Our fee covers the phone line rental and the long distance minutes. You are still paying for the local call. In most cases, the local call is 1/4 of the cost of the call, the long distance portion is 3/4 of the cost.
