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

No. The inmate does not get to choose their facility. That decision belongs to the Bureau of Prisons for federal inmates, or the state department of corrections for state sentences, and it is based on a combination of factors that have nothing to do with personal preference. The primary considerations are security level, criminal history, length of sentence, and the nature of the offense. A first time nonviolent offender serving a short sentence is going to land somewhere very different than...

They are not unlimited. There are many plans out there, the ones publicizing unlimited are not being honest; there are many add-on charges that mysteriously appear on your charge card - after you've signed up and it it too late.  InmateAid's service is totally disclosed at the time of the purchase. We charge $19.95 for either 300 minutes or 1000 minutes depending on the plan you choose. Whatever service you decide on, you will ALWAYS have to use the service at...

To create a Discount telephone Account with InmateAid, you will go to your My Account area of the website after logging in. Click on the link for Discount Telephone Lines and then click the "Add Local Line" button. Once you are past that page it will prompt you to select a state, facility, an inmate name and id number. Then you will add your current phone number and a contact name. Then you select the plan, either Quarterly or Monthly....

Joe Corley Detention Center does not use Western Union. Here are the methods of funds transfer: Sending Money Money may be deposited to a detainee “trust fund account” through the mail or on the Internet.  Mail • No cash allowed. The only acceptable forms of monetary instruments are U.S. Postal Money Orders, Western Union Money Orders, Cashier’s Check, or U.S. Government Check. • All must be made payable to “Detainee Trust Fund” with the detainee’s name and A#. • It must also include the...

Yes, you do need to get the number to your inmate, and the most reliable way is by writing to them. Facilities do not pass along phone numbers or messages, so the inmate will not know about your new number unless you tell them directly. Here are your options: 1. Send a letter (best method) Use the InmateAid letter service or regular mail Clearly write the new number and tell them to add it to their call list 2. Tell them during a call (if you...

Inmates who are serving less than a year will usually have their application for marriage denied with the presumption being that such a short wait will not harm the prisoner or prospective spouse. Each partner must be legally eligible and mentally competent to marry. Marriages may be blocked for security or disciplinary reasons; solitary confinement can block access to marriage. Most states do not allow marriage for inmates on death row; California is at least one exception to that rule. Some jurisdictions, such as the state...

Yes, you still have to go through GTL. The discount phone service does not replace the prison phone company, it works with it to lower the cost. Here is how to set it up correctly: 1. Set up your GTL account Go to the GTL system and create your account as you normally would. 2. Use the number provided to you When registering, use the local number you were given, not your personal phone number. That is the number your inmate will call. 3. How it works together Your...