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

The Northern Reception and Classification Center (NRC) functions as the major adult male intake and processing unit for the entire state of Illinois. There are some visitation stipulations placed on inmates that have not gone through the entire protocol before being granted visitation privileges. It does appear to be an abnormally long time, maybe try calling the facility and asking to speak with the chaplain. Explain yourself *with humility* (they are still employees of the prison) and see if they...

The list of cases that are awaiting trial or other settlement, often called a trial list or docket. A special calendar is an all-inclusive listing of cases awaiting trial; it contains dates for trial, names of counsel, and the estimated time required for trial. It is maintained by a trial judge in some states and by a court clerk in others. TBC - "to be calendared" means that the case it's referring to has yet to be placed on the...

Congratulations on your baby. This is something you can absolutely get done, but it takes a few specific steps when the father is incarcerated. You cannot just send standard paperwork and expect it to be signed and accepted. Paternity forms usually have to be handled in a way that meets legal and facility requirements. Here is how to do it the right way: Contact the facility first Call the prison or jail and ask for Records or the Counselor’s office. Let them know you...

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 would...

If there is a balance on his books when he leaves county jail, there are a couple of things that could happen. The inmate would fill out a form and designate the money to be sent somewhere (either home or to the new location); if the jail has a reciprocal agreement with the state system, they transfer the money. Since we do not know the name of the county jail we are guessing. You should call the county jail and...

The county jail food is considered the worst of the three. Their budgets are smaller, the inmates are not typically there for long periods of time and that translates into a more narrow selection of menu options. State and federal inmate meals are overseen by a registered nutritionist and meets dietary standards but might not meed flavor standards. Federal has a national menu that is available for anyone to see - it is by far the best of the three....

It is entirely up to the staff and warden if they allow it. Normally, an application for visitation will be summarily rejected for that reason alone. We recommend calling to speak with the counselor or case manager and ask them the protocol for application with special circumstances. Being a relative will increase your chances. Remember to be respectful when you speak with the staff, this is a request that will require some finesse so the nicer you are, the more...

What is the 13 months taken off for? If the inmate got 13 months off of a 72 month sentence and it is not good time, then it would mean they have 59 months remaining. If the 13 months are not related to good time credits, then there might be good time credits off the remaining 59 months. If you get a little more information, we will try and narrow it down to what he will have to do in...