It depends on the person and the facility. There are inmates that live on a lot less and and there are inmates that can spend up to the limits on everything and use $300/month or more. What matters is what you can afford, as the prison offers enough for an inmate to subside, what you give is extra. Be careful over-extending yourself as inmates can be good at making loved ones on the outside feel guilty and have you spend

Collect calls from inmates is the most expensive way to receive calls. Maybe the new rule is a good thing for you as it will certainly save you money. have you explored the InmateAid Discount Telephone Service?

Go to the FCI Gilmer prison page on our website and click "Send Money" it will take you directly to the correct place on the Western Union website to send money into the Federal system. Use State Code: DC and City Code: FBOP

yes, newspaper subscriptions are allowed in all federal prisons

Depending on the facility, the inmate's calls are paid for by you as a prepaid service or by the inmate from their commissary money. The cost of each call is more expensive based on the whether it is long distance or local. The difference can be as much as $10.00 or more per call. We can get the local number for the inmate to use and drop the call cost by 80-90% per call. If you want more information, email

JPay.com is the best way to send money to your inmate at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women (formerly called the Clinton State Women's Prison)

The commissary is priced similarly to a normal grocery store. Some items are more expensive, some are less expensive and there are always going to be people that say it's "too expensive". But, every inmate looks forward to their commissary day (one designated day per week).  Depending on where your inmate is, inmates may spend about $200 - $300 per month on the commissary

This depends on where your inmate is incarcerated. Many facilities have the commissary on premises and you just add money to their trust account - they shop for themselves once a week. Let us know the name of the prison or detention center and we will see if there are any other alternatives.

Jpay.com is the easiest way to sent money to an inmate at the Pam Lychner State Jail. For visitation, please call them directly as the times may change: (281) 454-5036

It depends on the security classification of the prison/detention center. Some are strict no-contact visitations and others have a picnic-like setting where you can interact and have light contact, even enjoying snacks from a variety of vending machines.