LIVE ARCHIVE UPDATED DAILY

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

Ask a former inmate your toughest questions about jail, prison, visitation, phone calls, bail, and more. No charge. No account required.

  • 5,528+ questions answered
  • Former federal & state inmates
  • Answered within 24 hours
  • Always free

Your question is reviewed by former inmates with direct federal and state experience. Free, always.

Recently Asked
More Questions

Send Inmate Mail
How will my inmate know if she is able to send me a letter through the website?
Inmates that have money on their inmate trust accounts can purchase stamps and envelopes at the weekly commissary.…

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...
Read more
Answered by InmateAid advisors Read full answer →

Send Books and Magazines
How can I send my inmate a book?
[Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_lc?node=283155&tag=inmatecom-20&camp=15329&creative=394453&linkCode=ur1&adid=1NK4T3Z8XDKYJ0S12D53&&ref-refURL=h…

[Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_lc?node=283155&tag=inmatecom-20&camp=15329&creative=394453&linkCode=ur1&adid=1NK4T3Z8XDKYJ0S12D53&&ref-refURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.inmateaid.com%2Fpages%2Fdetails%2Fsend-books-to-an-inmate-in-prison-or-jail) is one of the only companies that may deliver books to inmates. You have to enter the inmate's name, ID number and the correct address of the facility. You have to buy "new paperback books", the used books are sold by third party affiliates and those books will get rejected. There are no other tricks to it, other than staying away from the other book sellers on the Amazon site that sell used books.
Answered by InmateAid advisors Read full answer →

Inmate Phone Calls
My number is local but the rates are still way too high, is there another option?
The service at the San Joaquin County Jail is Securus.…

The service at the San Joaquin County Jail is Securus. We have just checked the rates for this facility and there is an option that will definitely save you money. With your permission, we will reactivate your charges and issue you a number that is actually outside of California altogether. There is a 45% savings per call with this number. Please let us know if this is something you'd like us to do.
Answered by InmateAid advisors Read full answer →

Inmate Search
How do I find out if my love is in a fire camp the jail or reception ?
Send us their name and DOB, their ID number if you have it and we will find out for you.…

Send us their name and DOB, their ID number if you have it and we will find out for you.
Answered by InmateAid advisors Read full answer →

Send Inmate Mail
How can I send my husband pics?
The easiest and fastest way is through [InmateAid's Photo Sending Service](https://www.inmateaid.com/letters).…

The easiest and fastest way is through [InmateAid's Photo Sending Service](https://www.inmateaid.com/letters). Our photos are professionally and beautifully printed on 4"x6" glossy photo paper (printed to the edge with no border). Simply create a user account with your inmate's profile. Select [Send a Letter](https://www.inmateaid.com/letters) and upload as many pictures as you'd like from your computer or smartphone. Type out a nice message to go along with it and click send. It's that easy!
Answered by InmateAid advisors Read full answer →

Inmate Phone Calls
How can I call my love he is in Waco?
You cannot call your inmate, they cannot accept calls.…

You cannot call your inmate, they cannot accept calls. Inmates must initiate the call to you. There are a couple of prisons in Waco, they are [Jack Harwell Detention Center](https://www.inmateaid.com/prisons/jack-harwell-detention-center-lasalle-ice) and the [McLennan County Jail](https://www.inmateaid.com/prisons/mclennan-county-tx-jail-highway-6). Both facilities use GlobalTel*Link as their provider. If you are in Waco, the calls are $1.65, if you are long distance the calls are at least $5.60. If you are not local, we would get you a Waco number which would save you...
Read more
Answered by InmateAid advisors Read full answer →

Inmate Phone Calls
I have an active Securus account with funds - can an InmateAid number still save me money?
Since you do not have a number through InmateAID we wouldnt be able to see their call log or have any knowledge of why they haven't called.…

Since you do not have a number through InmateAID we wouldnt be able to see their call log or have any knowledge of why they haven't called. You might consider looking in to getting one. In most cases, we can find phone numbers that will dramatically reduce the price of a Securus call. Securus posts all their rates online - send us your telephone number, we will match it to your inmate's location ([Monterey County Main Jail](https://www.inmateaid.com/prisons/monterey-county-main-jail)) and give you an...
Read more
Answered by InmateAid advisors Read full answer →

Send Inmate Mail
Can my inmate write me on here... Will there be a charge?
If your inmate writes to you directly, using your address, the cost of the mailing is a 49 cent stamp.…

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 write you back to the return address on the letters which are to the InmateAid corporate offices in Florida. We receive the letters on your behalf, scan them into your My Account section and notify you by email that they are waiting for your review....
Read more
Answered by InmateAid advisors Read full answer →

Prison Discipline
Why do they have my husband in the hole?
You might try calling the facility and ask to speak with the case manager, counselor or unit team secretary to get more information.…

You might try calling the facility and ask to speak with the case manager, counselor or unit team secretary to get more information.
Answered by InmateAid advisors Read full answer →

Parole, Probation & Supervised Release
How is it determined if someone is eligible for Parole?
You might try calling the facility and speak with her counselor - find out what the facts of the case and sentencing were.…

You might try calling the facility and speak with her counselor - find out what the facts of the case and sentencing were. A criminal offender becomes eligible for parole according to the type of sentence received from the court. The "parole eligibility date" is the earliest time the offender might be paroled. If the Parole Commission decides to grant parole, it will set the date of release, but the date must be on or after the "eligibility" date. The process begins...
Read more
Answered by InmateAid advisors Read full answer →

Commissary
Is it safe to use another inmate's commissary account to buy things if your account is negative?
It does happen a lot and it's not the kind of violation that they are looking to bust.…

It does happen a lot and it's not the kind of violation that they are looking to bust. There are many versions of this type of "service" one inmate does for another. We do not think there is much to be concerned with as long as the two involved stay in good graces with each other. These type deals go awry when the two inmates have an argument and someone overhears the dispute in a heated exchange of words. But other...
Read more
Answered by InmateAid advisors Read full answer →

Inmate Transfer
What is the procedure an inmate must use to send money home to his family?
Your inmate may go to their counselor and fill out a form that would deduct money from their commissary/trust account and designate whom the recipient is.…

Your inmate may go to their counselor and fill out a form that would deduct money from their commissary/trust account and designate whom the recipient is. The facility will then sent that person a facility check.
Answered by InmateAid advisors Read full answer →

General Prison Questions-Terminology
Who is answering my questions?
Former inmates who have served real time in federal prison, county jails and privately contracted state facilities…

Former inmates who have served real time in federal prison, county jails and privately contracted state facilities
Answered by InmateAid advisors Read full answer →

General Prison Questions-Terminology
Do inmates have Internet access?
Inmates do not have access to a computer that is connected to the Internet…

Inmates do not have access to a computer that is connected to the Internet
Answered by InmateAid advisors Read full answer →

Prison Rumors & Jail Scams
I received a letter from jail and it wasn't from my fiancé,
It could be that your inmate either lost your letter or simply gave it to another inmate who took it upon themselves to write something dirty.…

It could be that your inmate either lost your letter or simply gave it to another inmate who took it upon themselves to write something dirty. Mail is sacred in prison and inmates always receive theirs unless your inmate is having their mail hijacked by another inmate. We can't give you a "for sure" answer on what's going on, but we are more suspicious of your fiance acting out against you (for whatever reason) and we'd look to him to...
Read more
Answered by InmateAid advisors Read full answer →