Ask The Inmate. Real answers from people who've been there.

InmateAid’s discount telephone service is designed to work with both jails and prisons, as long as the facility allows outgoing inmate calls through a compatible phone system. At places like Mercer County Jail, eligibility depends on the specific phone provider they use and whether the system can support the discounted routing. If your account shows pending, that usually means: Your setup is still being processed A number is being assigned to you The system is checking compatibility with the facility You will be notified once everything is ready to...

Once you have selected an inmate from "Search Personal Inmate Page" - you are then taken to their Personal Page - at the top of their profile, there are two buttons, one says "Send a Letter", the other "Follow Inmate". If you follow inmates, you can then interact with them via InmateAid where you can write them and they can write you back through our Response Service - sort of like a Pen Pal feature, especially if you do not...

If your fiancé is not scheduled for visits on that specific day, you generally will not be allowed in under normal rules. However, many facilities do offer something called a special visit for situations like yours, especially when someone is traveling from far away. A special visit must be approved in advance. Your fiancé will need to request it through: His counselor Unit manager Or another designated staff member Approval is not guaranteed, but it is often granted for legitimate reasons like long-distance travel, as long as it...

You will only know that your inmate has received your letter when they tell you by telephone or by return letter. There is no verification process. Prisons consider mail a sacred item that represents a connection to the outside world. Prisons are sensitive to an inmate’s rehabilitation and as such feel strongly that correspondence is critical to that end. We have a strict policy, in the event that a letter gets returned to us, we effort to locate that inmate's status then notify you of its return...

If you cannot find the inmate on the Georgia Department of Corrections website, there are a few common reasons: They may not be in state custody yet If they were recently arrested or sentenced, they could still be in a county jail waiting to be transferred. The system has not updated yet It can take time for new inmates or transfers to appear in the database. Name or spelling differences Try variations of the name or search with additional details if available. They are in a different system They could...

A probation violation, especially one involving a new case, is taken seriously in Iowa and most other states. It does not automatically mean your son will go to prison, but it does put him at risk of harsher consequences. The decision ultimately comes down to the judge. When someone is already on probation and is charged with a new offense, the court may see that as a failure to follow the conditions that were already given as a second chance. That said,...

What you are describing is one of the most difficult situations a family can face and your concern for your son is completely justified. Twelve months in segregation, even voluntary segregation taken for survival reasons, causes real and measurable psychological harm. The symptoms you are describing including staring for hours, inability to concentrate, and difficulty with basic tasks like writing are well documented effects of prolonged isolation. The difficult reality of voluntary segregation Your son chose to enter protective custody segregation because...

At Story County Jail, the “best” phone option depends on the provider the jail uses, since each facility contracts with a specific phone company. If you are having trouble with their website, here is the simplest way to move forward: 1. Find the jail’s phone provider Call the jail directly and ask which company handles inmate calls. This is the most reliable way to avoid confusion. 2. Set up an account with that provider Once you know the provider, create an account and add funds. This...

Most likely yes. Facilities generally make every effort to deliver mail to the correct inmate even when the inmate number is missing from the envelope. Mail is treated seriously inside correctional facilities. Prison administration broadly understands that family communication is one of the most important factors in successful reentry and rehabilitation. A letter addressed with the correct name and facility that is missing only the inmate number will typically be matched to the right person by mailroom staff rather than returned...

Yes, your boyfriend should be able to work toward his GED while in custody, even if he only completed up to his junior year of high school. Most jails and prisons offer GED programs or basic education classes for inmates who have not finished high school. These programs are designed to help inmates earn their diploma equivalent and improve their chances after release. Participation usually depends on: The programs available at that specific facility Space and waiting lists His willingness to sign up and attend regularly He will...