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

We are not able to give you an accurate answer without having some idea of where he is and how much time did he get? There are some state facilities that do not have air conditioning. The lack of soap or menu limited to potatoes sounds pretty minimal, and not within the norm - that is for sure. We would like to think that there is a bit of exaggeration to his complaints, if they are genuine, this is a...

Most US jails do allow international calls, but whether a specific facility has that option enabled depends on the phone service provider contracted at that jail. The majority of facilities use providers like Securus, GTL, or ICSolutions, and most of those platforms support international calling. The catch is the cost. International rates through prison phone systems are steep, often significantly higher than what you would pay through a standard international carrier. One practical way around the cost problem is InmateAid's phone...

The most reliable way to get your phone number to an inmate is by mail. Most jails do not allow staff to pass along personal messages like phone numbers over the phone. If you call, it really depends on who answers. Some staff may help, but most will follow policy and refuse to relay any message. Your best options are: Send a letter with your phone number clearly written Use a service like InmateAid to send a letter quickly and make sure it is formatted correctly...

We applaud your efforts. We can avow 100% that each and every letter she receives will make her day. You have good instinct asking about how much happiness you want to share for fear of bumming them out. You have to know the person. We have always liked the super-positive, optimistic letters that speak of hope and encouragement about the future. Promote good times to come and give them some incentive to try some new areas of educating themselves. Promote...

There are no cell phones allowed in any penal facility in the United States, regardless of what the phone can or cannot do. This is not a facility-by-facility policy decision. Federal law makes it a criminal offense for an incarcerated person to possess a cell phone, and if one is found, the inmate faces the possibility of up to five additional years added to their sentence. No program, no custody level, and no facility type is exempt from this. Whatever your...

No federal program provides airfare or travel assistance for families visiting federal inmates. The Bureau of Prisons does not offer transportation subsidies, and there is no government program specifically designed to cover the cost of visiting an incarcerated family member. A few nonprofit organizations have worked on this issue over the years, and it is worth doing some research for your specific state and situation. Organizations focused on prisoner reentry and family support sometimes have small funds available for family connection...

Yes. Inmates that have money on their inmate trust accounts can purchase stamps and envelopes at the weekly commissary. If they do not have money on their books, the prison will provide indigent inmates with all the materials necessary to send out mail to their loved ones. If your inmate writes to you directly, using your address, the cost of the mailing is a 49 cent stamp. Many of our members use the Inmate Response Mail service through InmateAid. Your inmate...