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

At most county jails, physical contact during visitation is not permitted. Christian County Jail in Illinois operates non-contact visits, which means you and your loved one will be separated by a partition and communicating through phones in the visitation booth the entire time. A hug or kiss is not going to be possible in that setting. For anyone who has never visited a jail before, here is what to expect at Christian County. Visitation days are Wednesdays and Sundays from 12:30...

The most direct starting point is the inmate's profile in their state department of corrections offender search or the Bureau of Prisons inmate locator for federal inmates. Most of these public databases display the offense of conviction alongside current facility and sentence information. The level of detail varies by state but charges are typically included. Court records are another reliable source. Criminal cases are public record in most jurisdictions, and the charging documents, indictment, and judgment are all filed with the...

Six weeks feels like a long time when someone you love has essentially disappeared into a system and you are getting very little information about what is happening. Understanding what actually goes on during that period makes the wait more bearable, even if it does not make it shorter. The diagnostic or reception phase exists because the prison system needs a complete picture of every incoming inmate before deciding where to house them permanently and what programs they need. That process...

Yes. InmateAid works at CCA McRae, now known as CoreCivic McRae Correctional Institution in Georgia, and at every other prison, jail, and detention center in the United States. The service does not require any special arrangement with the facility. Here is why it works everywhere. InmateAid's letter and photo service operates through the US Postal Service, the same way any personal letter would. The letters and photos we print and mail on your behalf arrive at the facility's mail room as...

Even in a work release setting, visitation in Alabama is not open to just anyone who shows up. The Alabama Department of Corrections requires every inmate to maintain two separate approved visitor lists, one for immediate family and one for friends. Both lists require pre-approval before anyone is allowed to visit, regardless of their relationship to the inmate. Work release can give the impression of a more relaxed environment since inmates are leaving the facility for employment during the day, but...

Yes, losing phone privileges is a very common punishment after a fight. When an inmate is involved in a physical altercation, the facility will issue a disciplinary report. Depending on how serious the incident was, the penalties can vary. Common punishments include: Loss of phone privileges Loss of commissary access Loss of visitation Placement in segregation, also called the SHU or “the hole” Removal from general population About phone calls: Calls are often one of the first privileges taken away The restriction can last from days to months depending on...

Finding an accurate release date starts with the Judgment and Commitment document, which is the official court order that lays out exactly what sentence was imposed and under what terms. That document is what the Georgia Department of Corrections uses to calculate how long someone will actually serve, and it is the most reliable starting point for any sentence calculation. In Georgia, most inmates are required to serve 85 percent of their imposed sentence before becoming eligible for release. On a...

In most cases, mail is not forwarded when an inmate is transferred to a new facility. What usually happens: The mailroom checks the inmate location If the inmate is no longer there, the letter is typically returned to sender Some facilities may discard it if there is no valid return address Why mail is not forwarded: Facilities do not coordinate mail between institutions Transfers can happen quickly and without notice Each facility operates independently If you are using InmateAid: You can notify support with the new facility and inmate ID The letter can be resent...

The short answer is nothing. You cannot bring gifts directly to an inmate during a visit. It does not matter how small or harmless the item seems. Anything you try to bring in will be turned away at the door and depending on what it is could create problems for you and your loved one. Most facilities will allow you to bring a small amount of cash for the vending machines in the visitation area. That is typically the only thing...

Mostly, prison is not like what you see on television. It is boring and the best way for an inmate to do their time is to stay busy with some sort of routine. Inmates that have goals and want to come out better than they went in will survive the experience. There are fights but the consequences of having them is that it will make the time ahead more difficult on the inmates involved. There is TV, there is exercise, there is a library, recreation areas and plenty...

When an inmate first arrives at a facility like High Desert, there is a short adjustment period before normal communication begins. Phone calls: He will go through intake and orientation (A&O) first During this time, calls are usually restricted or not allowed yet He will need to submit and get his phone list approved Once approved, he can start calling you This process typically takes a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the facility. If you already put money on the phone account: That is good and necessary But he still...