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

We estimate that it takes 2-3 business days to make it to the jail. Once there, the staff opens and reads each piece of mail and inspects it for contraband. Once they decide the mail is fit to be handed out at mail call, your inmate will receive it. Any delay that occurs at the facility is out of our control. We make no guarantees as to how long it will take as there are thousands of facilities and none of them do things the same...

Educational programs vary by facility type and system, but most prisons and jails offer some level of continuing education. The GED is the most universally available program across federal, state, and county facilities. Inmates who do not have a high school diploma are often encouraged or in some cases required to work toward it. Beyond the GED, many facilities offer vocational training programs that lead to certifiable trade skills in areas like plumbing, electrical work, HVAC, carpentry, welding, culinary arts,...

Yes, you can update your phone number at any time and there is no charge to make the change. Life circumstances change and so do phone numbers. Whether you switched carriers, got a new number, or just need to update what is on file, the process is straightforward and does not cost anything. One thing worth keeping in mind is that the phone number your inmate calls you on may also need to be updated on their approved contact list through the...

Account balances inside a correctional facility are treated as private financial information, and there is no public database or lookup tool that gives outside parties access to what an inmate has on their books. The facility is not going to hand that information out freely and the phone provider or commissary system certainly will not. That said, there is one avenue worth trying. Some case managers and counselors will share that information if you call and ask nicely. It is entirely...

The honest answer is that it depends on the facility, but for most people, the reality is nowhere near as bad as what television and movies would have you believe. Scripted prison dramas are built around conflict and chaos because that makes for compelling entertainment. The daily reality for the vast majority of inmates is far more mundane. Most people inside are trying to do exactly what your husband should be focused on, getting through their time with as little drama...