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

Yes. Any money remaining in an inmate's commissary account at the time of release belongs to them and they get it back when they walk out the door. The facility does not keep it. The money is typically returned in the form of a check issued in the inmate's name or loaded onto a release card depending on the facility and the state system. It is part of the standard discharge process along with the return of any personal property that...

Our service is not a replacement for the prison phone service, we get you a telephone number that makes the charges from the provider at that institution less expensive. As long as you are a long distance call from the jail, there will be a savings of about $4.00 per call.  You can call the office (866-966-7100) and speak to someone about the specifics or email your questions and telephone number to aid@inmateaid.com and we will give you an honest...

Yes, as long as the transfer stays within the same state system the money should follow him. In the Arizona Department of Corrections system, phone accounts are tied to the inmate rather than the specific facility, which means funds deposited through the ADC website travel with the inmate when they move to another ADC prison. The key phrase is within the system. A transfer from one ADC facility to another keeps everything intact. If he were to be transferred out of...

There is no legal limitation on the length of time an inmate may remain in the SHU or the "hole". There are no laws that an inmate can rely on to govern how they are incarcerated. They are basically 'property of the department of corrections' - and have to do whatever the department decides, whenever they decide. Stays in the SHU can be months and months for infractions that are considered safety violations, like possession of a cellphone, a weapon,...

Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do from the outside but complain to the institution. This could have a double-edged result, though. Letting someone in the administration know of these details will certainly shake things up there for a while. They will do shake-downs trying to find the shank. But these things never stay quiet and he could end up having more problems from you saying something than if he just lets it go. It sounds like your son has...

Yes, it is possible, but the reality is more nuanced than a simple yes or no and several factors determine how seriously this gets pursued. District attorneys carry enormous caseloads and prosecuting inmates already serving time for a prison fight is not typically a priority unless the circumstances are exceptional. Most fights inside California state prisons are handled administratively through the disciplinary system rather than criminally through the courts. The standard consequence for a fight is loss of good time credits,...

A six month setback before being seen again is actually an encouraging sign when you understand how parole boards operate. If the board wanted to punish the violation significantly they had the authority to push the hearing out much further. A December hearing date suggests they are not writing him off but want to see a short period of clean conduct before making their next decision. On the notification question, parole hearing dates in Tennessee are posted based on the board's...

Generally, no, and in practice, older inmates tend to have some of the smoothest experiences inside. There is an unwritten respect that exists in prison culture toward older inmates that outsiders rarely hear about. Younger inmates typically leave older people alone. An older inmate who carries themselves with dignity, minds their own business, and does not insert themselves into conflicts that have nothing to do with them is almost universally left in peace. The prison yard has its own social logic...

This is a situation worth taking seriously before showing up at the facility. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice runs background checks on visitors as part of the visitation approval process. If a warrant shows up during that screening it can result in denial of visitation privileges. More importantly, showing up at a correctional facility with an active warrant is a real risk to you personally. Correctional facilities are law enforcement environments and staff have access to the same databases that...

The danger is real but the reality is more nuanced than the extreme version that circulates in popular culture. Inmates convicted of offenses against children occupy the lowest position in the prison social hierarchy and that status does create genuine risk. Assaults on child sex offenders by other inmates are documented and not rare. The hostility is cultural and consistent across most correctional environments and it does not require provocation beyond the nature of the conviction becoming known. However, actual killings are...

Yes. Protective custody is not only available to these inmates, in many facilities it is the standard housing arrangement rather than the exception. Inmates convicted of offenses involving children face significant risk in general population. The inmate code treats crimes against children as the most serious violation of acceptable conduct and the consequences of being known as a child offender in a general population setting can be severe. Facilities are aware of this dynamic and most have developed housing solutions that...

When someone you believe is innocent is facing a murder charge, the urgency is real and the instinct to do everything possible is exactly right. But everything possible has to be channeled in the right direction, and that starts with legal representation. The distinction between a trial lawyer and a lawyer who primarily handles plea negotiations is not a minor one. A murder trial in Texas is a serious undertaking that requires someone with courtroom experience, jury selection skills, cross-examination ability,...

Yes, depending on the charges and the jurisdiction, a 16-year-old can receive a sentence that exceeds 12 years, though juvenile sentencing is governed by a separate framework from adult sentencing and the outcome depends heavily on several factors. The first and most critical factor is whether the case is being handled in juvenile court or whether the case has been transferred to adult court. Most 16-year-olds facing criminal charges go through the juvenile justice system, which is oriented toward rehabilitation rather...