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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: Commissary

It depends on your financial situation, but $300 is a solid starting point if you can manage it. When you first arrive, the facility issues necessities, but basic is the right word for it. The soap, shampoo, and toiletries they hand you are the bare minimum, and most inmates replace them with name-brand versions from the commissary as soon as they can. It is a small thing that makes a real difference in daily comfort. Beyond toiletries, there

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Subject: Survive prison

there are no words to describe that first time getting locked up in the holding cell, then the transfer to the county jail, then the transfer to the federal prison... unnerving is an understatement

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Subject: Bail & bond questions

Released without a cash bond... "on your recognizance" 

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Subject: Inmate phone calls

Yes, absolutely!

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Subject: Pending criminal charges

Contact the Clerk of the County Court where the charges were filed. This is where the attorneys go for the detailed information about their client's charges

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Subject: Inmate search

this forum is for former inmates to answer questions about their experiences firsthand. we don't find charges or bail amounts for individuals. you can try vinelink.com to assist in locating your inmate. the charges and bail can be found at the clerk of the court where the charges were originally filed

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Subject: Medical treatment

The honest answer is that it depends heavily on the severity of the condition and how it manifests day to day. First, some context worth having. Mental illness in the prison population is extraordinarily common. A significant portion of people who end up incarcerated are dealing with some form of untreated or under-treated mental health issue. That is not an excuse for the choices that led them there, but it is a reality of the environment. You are rarely

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Subject: Inmate phone calls

usually about a week. there is an orientation that they must complete before the phones are open to them

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Subject: Relationship issues

yes and yes :)... but seriously, there are not many facilities that allow conjugal visits anymore. phone sex sounds great, but it's frustrating because you don't have much privacy at the phone bank... try a sexy letter and selfies  

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Subject: Inmate search

You should call the facility and ask to speak to your husband's case manager or counselor. They will have the most accurate and up-to-date information.

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