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
Norco is a state prison, part of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation system. It is formally known as the California Rehabilitation Center (CRC) in Norco.
It is not a county jail. That means he is now in the state prison system rather than a local county facility.
The reason he was able to call you so quickly this time is likely because his information carried over from his previous placement. When inmates transfer within the same system, things like their approved...
Read moreSubject: General prison questions-terminology
When someone first arrives at a prison like Huntsville, they go through a process called Admissions and Orientation, often referred to as A and O. This is a short intake period where the facility evaluates them, assigns housing, and sets up their file.
During this time, access to phones, visits, and even regular mail routines can be limited or delayed. The intake process usually lasts about a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the facility and how busy...
Read moreSubject: General prison questions-terminology
You can send all sorts of "sexy photos". We have people sending in lingerie or bikinis. Be mindful that the staff at USP Allenwood open the letters and review all the photos. You cannot show ANY private parts, nipples or simulate sex in any way. They sometimes reject photos with gang-related tattoos or messages depicting violence. Otherwise, sexy photos are a fantastic way to put a smile on your inmate's face.
Subject: General prison questions-terminology
There is a button on the top right of all the Personal Inmate Pages. Once you have logged into your account, can browse the inmate listing and click their name. Once they appear as a single profile page, click on FOLLOW. When you go back to your My Account area, click on the link "Inmates I'm Following" and there will be a list of who you are following. You can now access the services you wish to use in support...
Read moreSubject: General prison questions-terminology
The cost per call will be determined by the prison phone carrier and the distance from the jail to you. There are about 30 prison telephone companies that all have different pricing models. All but one have better rates for a local call than a long distance call. But, their rules change without notice and we can only give an estimate of the cost unless their website publishes the rates. Only Securus and Paytel publish their rates, none of the...
Read moreSubject: General prison questions-terminology
There is no single answer because felony theft sentences vary a lot based on the details of the case and your history.
The biggest factors that affect how much time you could face are:
Dollar amount of the theft
Higher amounts usually mean more serious felony levels and longer potential sentences
Your prior record
Since you already have two theft charges, that can work against you. Repeat offenses are taken more seriously and can increase penalties
Type of charge and how it is filed
Some theft cases...
Read moreSubject: General prison questions-terminology
If you included your boyfriend's name when setting up your account you can go to his profile and click on letter under his name and it will create a place to type your letter. You can also send him photos to keep him company during his bid. Let us know if you need assistance with setting up this to send mail.
Subject: General prison questions-terminology
Yes, you can send your inmate magazine subscriptions from InmateAid. We offer great titles and discounts. Let us know the titles that you are interested in, via email and we will send you coupon codes that you can use at check-out.
Subject: General prison questions-terminology
The inmate information on this website is self-directed data meaning that the member/user creates and controls that information. We do not create inmate profiles nor do we monitor their accuracy. It is not uncommon for an inmate to be transferred after spending time in solitary confinement, also known as the SHU (special housing unit). This sounds like a method of operation of the federal prison system (BOP), if your inmate is in federal prison (or any other prison, we just...
Read moreSubject: General prison questions-terminology
Inmates do not make an account on InmateAid, they do not have access to the Internet. This site is for you to help them while they are in. Some of the services we offer here are not easy to find. We think we've made the process more convenient for you.
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. Any delay that occurs...
Read moreSubject: General prison questions-terminology
When an inmate is in segregation, their privileges are restricted, but they are not completely cut off from communication or support.
Your fiancé will still be able to receive certain InmateAid services, even while in segregation:
Letters and photos:
You can continue sending letters and photos without any issue. Mail is still delivered to inmates in segregation, although it may take a little longer to be processed.
Books and magazines:
You can send approved books and magazine subscriptions. These are often allowed and can be...
Read moreSubject: General prison questions-terminology
In most cases, someone who has been convicted and is in federal custody should appear in the Bureau of Prisons locator, even after release. So if they are not showing up at all, there are a few possible explanations.
One possibility is that they are not actually in BOP custody yet. After a federal conviction, inmates are often held by the U.S. Marshals Service while awaiting designation to a federal prison. During that time, they will not appear in the BOP...
Read moreSubject: General prison questions-terminology
A detainer is just a "hold" placed on someone that is in jail. If a subject is incarcerated and has a warrant out of another jurisdiction, then a detainer is placed on that subject so he won't be released before there's a chance for extradition.A detainer is a warrant placed against an inmate for pending charges from another jurisdiction. These pending charge(s) are usually from some county, federal and/or out-of-state law enforcement agencies. A detainer warrant may also be placed...
Read moreSubject: General prison questions-terminology
Yes, your wife can call your cell phone from TDCJ, but there are a few steps you need to take to make sure everything is set up correctly.
First, you will need to set up an account with the prison’s phone provider. TDCJ uses a contracted phone system, and all inmate calls must go through that provider. Once your account is set up and funded if required, your wife can add your number to her approved call list.
After your number is...
Read moreSubject: General prison questions-terminology
No. Inmates are released when their sentence is served, and that date falls on whatever day the calculation lands on. There is no policy at Kirkland Reception and Evaluation Center or at any other facility that holds inmates until the first of the month if their actual release date falls earlier.
The release date is calculated based on the sentence length minus applicable good time credits, and that result is a specific calendar date. If that date is the 14th of...
Read more