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

At Fayette County Jail, commissary prices are generally similar to what you would pay on the outside, sometimes slightly higher depending on the item. While exact prices vary by facility, here is a realistic breakdown to help you plan: Typical commissary prices: Ramen noodles: $0.40 to $0.75 Chips or snacks: $1.00 to $2.50 Coffee: $3.00 to $6.00 Candy bars: $1.00 to $2.00 Toiletries (soap, deodorant, toothpaste): $2.00 to $6.00 each Writing supplies (paper, envelopes, stamps): $2.00 to $10.00 total depending on quantity Basic clothing (t-shirts, socks): $8.00 to $20.00 Weekly...

The amount you send should fit your financial situation first and foremost, not the inmate's requests. This is worth saying plainly because it often does not get said. Your financial wellbeing matters. If you are stretching yourself thin to keep money on someone's commissary account while your own bills go unpaid, that is not sustainable and it is not healthy for either of you. Take care of yourself first. What you can comfortably spare after your own needs are met is the...

Letters sent through InmateAid are delivered via USPS and typically arrive at the facility within 2 to 3 business days. However arrival at the facility and arrival in your inmate's hands are two different things and understanding the difference will help set realistic expectations. The mailroom process Every piece of incoming mail at a correctional facility is opened and read by mailroom staff before it reaches the inmate. This is standard procedure at every facility in the United States without exception. Staff...

When you send a letter through InmateAid, you will receive confirmation in your account when the letter has been processed and mailed through the US Postal Service. That notification lets you know it has been sent out, but there is no way to confirm the exact moment the inmate receives it. Delivery depends on the facility’s mailroom processing times, which can vary. Inmates do not receive e-letters electronically. All messages sent through InmateAid are printed and delivered as physical mail. Because...

Finding someone when you only know their first name and a general location is challenging through a traditional inmate database search. Our inmate search requires at minimum a last name to return accurate results. However that does not mean your search has to end here. A people search tool can work with partial information in ways that an inmate database cannot. If you have any additional details beyond a first name, even approximate age, physical description, the city or parish they were...

Reconnecting with a family member you have not seen in years while they are incarcerated takes patience but it is absolutely possible. Here is how both processes work. Phone calls The phone call process begins entirely on your brother's end. He must initiate everything. He submits your phone number to prison staff for approval and once approved he can call you directly from the facility phones. You cannot call him. There is no inbound call option at any correctional facility. Once his phone...

FDC Miami is a Federal Detention Center, not a traditional long-term prison. It is a high-rise facility located in downtown Miami and primarily houses pretrial detainees, inmates going through court proceedings, and some short-term federal inmates. While security is tight, it is not classified the same way as a standard maximum security penitentiary. For email, the federal system uses TRULINCS, which is accessed through CorrLinks. If your brother says he sent emails but you have not received them, here are the most common reasons: You have not...

Riverbend Correctional Facility in Georgia is a privately operated facility run by the GEO Group under contract with the Georgia Department of Corrections. Sending money to an inmate there follows the Georgia DOC approved process rather than a facility specific system. The approved money transfer services for Georgia DOC facilities including Riverbend are JPay and Access Corrections. Both allow you to send money online, by phone, or through retail locations. JPay JPay is the most commonly used service for Georgia state inmates. Visit...

Yes, in many cases inmates at a transition center can send money home before release, but it is not automatic and must be approved by the facility. Your fiancé will need to speak with his counselor or unit team manager and request the proper form to transfer funds from his inmate trust account. These requests are reviewed, and approval can depend on factors like his status, the amount requested, and the facility’s specific policies. Most systems allow inmates to send out money...

It is great that you are planning ahead for his release. Getting support lined up before he gets out can make a big difference in how smoothly the transition goes. InmateAid offers a range of reentry resources, but not all programs are fully listed or available directly on the site yet. The best way to get accurate and up-to-date information is to reach out directly to the InmateAid team. You can contact them at aid@inmateaid.com and let them know your boyfriend’s release timeframe...