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.
Subject: General prison questions-terminology
The inmates answering these question are ex-inmates who have served time in federal prison, private prison and county jail. They spend significant time and know a great deal about the inner-workings of the system of incarceration. Getting answers like what you are reading in the pages of Ask the Inmate is valuable information that isn't usually free - but on InmateAid it is - and you can ask ANYTHING!
Subject: General prison questions-terminology
No, absolutely not. You can also elect to make the inmate's profile private
Subject: General prison questions-terminology
Inmates do NOT have Internet access. However there are some services available for inmates to send their Facebook updates via postal mail to the person/company receiving their requests (and charging for their services) - they will update the pages for the inmate.
Subject: General prison questions-terminology
Yes, even inmates that are in the SHU, solitary confinement or maximum security get at least one hour three days a week. But most inmates are given much more time outdoors. In a general setting there are recreation activities that are all outside. There is a walking track, usually a baseball field, basketball court, handball courts and more. The inmates that get restricted hours are ones that have broken the rules of the prison and are getting extra punishment on...
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Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) is a company that owns and manages private prisons and detention centers and operates others on a concession basis.
CCA is the largest private corrections company in the United States. It manages more than 65 correctional and detention facilities with a capacity of more than 90,000 beds in 19 states. The company’s revenue in 2015 exceeded more than $2 billion.
Controversies related to the company include: treatment of inmates and disclosure of oversight, lobbying efforts to conceal...
Read moreSubject: General prison questions-terminology
The list of approved items is not currently available to through their website. We would suggest calling the facility and asking to speak with a counselor or case manager what the exact list is: (505) 873-2761
Subject: General prison questions-terminology
Former inmates who have served real time in federal prison, county jails and privately contracted state facilities
Subject: General prison questions-terminology
Inmates do not have access to a computer that is connected to the Internet
Subject: General prison questions-terminology
Yes, inmates in the Special Housing Unit can make phone calls, but access is severely limited compared to the general population. The standard across most federal and state facilities is one 15-minute call per week. That is it. One window, 15 minutes, and if the call does not connect or gets cut short, that opportunity is gone until the following week.
This applies broadly across the federal system and most state prison systems, though the specific rules can vary from one...
Read moreSubject: General prison questions-terminology
This is not unusual. You are questioning yourself but if what you say is true, there is no excuse for him not writing you. The SHU is mostly 24 hour/day lockdown, PLUS the SHU inmates get writing material AND stamps if they ask. You are going to have a rocky nine year stretch with this emotional toil of second-guessing. You have some tough decisions ahead. Whatever you do, make sure you think it through and don't do anything in anger....
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