General Prison Questions-Terminology — Ask the Inmate
The criminal justice system has its own language and navigating it without a guide is disorienting for families encountering it for the first time. This section covers the terminology that appears in court documents, facility communications, and case records, from the difference between jail and prison to what terms like disposition, detainer, adjudication, and supervised release actually mean in plain language. It also covers general questions about how prisons and jails operate, what a typical day looks like inside, how different security levels function, and what the practical differences are between federal, state, county, and private facilities. The answers here are written for people who have no prior experience with the system and need clear accurate explanations without legal jargon. If you encountered a term you did not understand this is the right place to start. See also our sections on Law Questions and Legal Terms, and Sentencing Questions.
you can call the facility and politely ask the person answering the phone if they would "gently break the rules" and pass your fiance the new number. This works 50% of the time. If you can talk nicely and respectfully you might get it done.
Read moreYes prohibited by law, but that being said, cigarettes are easily attainable in Ohio state prisons for anywhere from $2-10 each
Read moreThere is an orientation period that usually takes a couple of days to a week to complete. During that time they do an evaluation of the inmate and provide them with the rules and expectations while in custody. Once they have finished with everything, the inmates may make calls, receive visits and go to the commissary.
Read moreit's just like prison
Read moreCount time is usually 10am, 4pm and 10pm. It lasts for about 20 minutes. There is no way to obtain an inmate calling list as they are afforded the same privacy as you would be. Who's private phone records are public information??
Read moreno, never
Read moreThere aren't many ways to effectuate change through advocacy for a federal inmate. Unless you have DNA evidence that can attract the attention of a judge that would cause the case to be reopened it's almost impossible to go against the full weight of the United States Department of Justice - the odds are heavily on their side.
Read moreYes
Read moreThey are either stored in a container and held in the facility, OR they are sent to the inmate's home address
Read moreYES, 100%. email us at aid@inmateaid.com and we'll give you a coupon to try out any of the Services
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