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 lights out protocol in a county jail marks the transition from the active portion of the day to overnight operations. At most county facilities this happens at around 9:30pm, though the specific time can vary by institution and sometimes by housing unit within the same facility.
When lights out is called, inmates are expected to return to their cells or assigned sleeping areas. Movement through the facility is restricted, phone access is typically cut off or significantly limited, and the...
Read moreSubject: General prison questions-terminology
Almost certainly yes, the data exists. Virtually all jail phone calls and video visits are recorded and the recordings are retained. The question is whether and how that data can be accessed by the inmate or their attorney.
For inmates requesting copies of their own call or visit recordings, the process typically runs through the jail administration. Your husband would need to submit a formal request through the proper channels at Elkhart County Jail, most likely through his case manager, the...
Read moreSubject: General prison questions-terminology
Avenal State Prison (ASP) is the largest male-only prison in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) state prison system. The structures on ASP's 640 acres include 17 open dorm buildings, six 200-bed open dorm E-bed buildings, six converted gymnasiums, a 100-cell administrative segregation unit, and a 10-bed firehouse. It is a low-medium security or Level 2 prison with open dormitories with secure perimeter fences and armed coverage. Inmate programs include Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics anonymous, SAP, auto body, metal fabrication, plumbing and electrical, PIA furniture, warehouse and...
Read moreSubject: General prison questions-terminology
The family has the option of picking up the body and making funeral arrangements. If no one comes for the body, there is a process for a burial in a public cemetery.
Subject: General prison questions-terminology
Yes, there are. The state prison system has no discriminations against women being guards in a men's facility. In fact, it occurs in all fifty states.
Subject: General prison questions-terminology
Yes, absolutely. Getting time served at a hearing does not always mean immediate release and there are several reasons your boyfriend could still be in Cache County Jail even after a favorable court outcome.
The hold from another state
This is the most common reason someone remains in custody after receiving time served or a sentence that should result in release. If another state has an active warrant, detainer, or hold on your boyfriend Cache County Jail is required to keep him...
Read moreSubject: General prison questions-terminology
Florida law specifically disqualifies certain categories of offenders from earning gain time, which is the credit that reduces the amount of a sentence that must be served. Sex offenses involving minors are among the most restricted categories in the Florida corrections system.
Under Florida statute, inmates convicted of certain sexual offenses, particularly those involving victims under the age of 18, are required to serve 100% of their imposed sentence with no reduction for gain time. This is not a classification officer's...
Read moreSubject: General prison questions-terminology
E5 is a custody level, the highest. The E5 inmates are housed in high or maximum security prisons.
Subject: General prison questions-terminology
No. Inmates in adult detention facilities do not have access to social media. Internet access is heavily restricted or entirely prohibited in correctional settings. Any social media activity appearing to come from an inmate is being managed by someone on the outside on their behalf.
Subject: General prison questions-terminology
There is no guarantee about where an inmate will be placed. In most cases, if there is a same-security facility that fits the offender's custody status they try to keep them closer to home where more visitations are possible.
Subject: General prison questions-terminology
The jail is rated for 630 inmates/detainees and employs a staff of approximately 120. The local population averages 275-325 inmates/detainees. We do not have a current population number to report.
Subject: General prison questions-terminology
There are no phone or power outages in ANY federal prison. They maintain their own power source if that were to happen to the electricity grid. There are many safeguards to protect the public from a federal prison losing power... all the gates, the cells, the pods are on electrical controls - they can't have an outage of any kind.
Subject: General prison questions-terminology
This depends on their situation. If they have no money on their commissary, then it is money so they can buy the little extras. If it is phone time that they lack, then it's phone minutes. If they have those two and you are talking about buying them things, we highly recommend magazine subscriptions or books if they like to read.
Subject: General prison questions-terminology
Sometimes, the orientation period if different depending on when you arrive. If A & O is done every Wednesday, like the federal facilities, and you get there on Tuewday, you wait one day, if you get there on a Wednesday, you'll have to wait a week.
Subject: General prison questions-terminology
The fact that you are asking this question at 15 already puts you ahead of where most people are when they finally decide to change. Most people wait until the consequences get bad enough that they have no choice. You are choosing before that happens. That matters.
Here is the most honest thing anyone can tell you: look at who you spend your time with. The phrase that has stayed with me is this, show me your friends and I will...
Read more