Subject: Prison discipline
Yes, the CDU or Complex Detention Unit is essentially segregation housing. There are two types of this unit, one is for disciplinary and the other is administrative. Disciplinary segregation, referred to by prisoners as “the hole,” is applied as a short-term punishment for breaking prison rules. Most prison units have a CDU which is reserved for this purpose. By contrast, administrative segregation is based on administrative rationale. The Department of Corrections has almost total discretion over these administrative decisions, most importantly a prisoner’s...
Read moreSubject: Inmate search
The starting point is knowing what state he was convicted in, because inmate search systems are organized by state DOC. If you know the state, go directly to that state's Department of Corrections website and use their public offender search. Most state DOC sites let you search by name and date of birth and will return his current facility, his inmate number, and sometimes his projected parole eligibility or sentence details.
If you are not sure which state he is in,...
Read moreSubject: Send inmate mail
Let us know and we will resend it. They don't always forward the mail, and by resending it we ensure your loved one will definitely get it.
Subject: Survive prison
Prison sucks. Prison is reliving the same day over and over like the movie Groundhog Day. Prison is dismal and replete with boredom. You have to find a routine that can take you through the days without getting into a depressed state. The inmate motto is, "Do your time, don't let your time do you."
Subject: Visitation
Visiting rules are different for every facility. You will most likely need to send a Visitation Application into the facility and await approval.
Subject: Send inmate mail
2-3 days, once in the mailroom it's up to the staff to hand it out at mail call, usually the same day it's received.
Subject: Inmate services & supplies
No, you cannot send foodstuffs unless they have an arrangement with a commissary pack company. However, we do not see anything showing that they do. You can use Amazon to send them paperback books. Another option would be to put money on their books so that they can shop in the prison commissary which has plenty of options like chocolates, cookies and snacks.
Subject: Send inmate mail
No, there are no lists where female inmates can communicate with male inmates. Any contact or communication attempts between inmates are strictly prohibited. There are, however, services where an inmate can post his name and personal info to prospective pen pals. These are women wishing to write inmates but are not inmates themselves.
Subject: Relationship issues
You cannot get any information from the prison regarding an inmate's visiting list, phone list or who puts money on their books. The inmate's privacy is protected completely. If you suspect that this is still happening, it probably is.
