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
Thanks Nadja!!
Subject: General prison questions-terminology
WOW!! Thanks for the lovely holiday wishes. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays to everyone!!!
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Subject: General prison questions-terminology
Re-entry after tens years is going to take some time. He will most likely be in a halfway house for a few months to help with the adjustment. Everything is going to be brand new to him. Think about the changes in technology alone, he has a lot of catching up to do. You will have to be very patient. His internal clock, his routine for ten years is not going to fit right away - you're gonna have to...
Read moreSubject: General prison questions-terminology
The calls are expensive because it is set up with only one provider. No competition makes it easy for them to charge higher-than-normal rates. It is predatory pricing, but there is nothing you can do about it except check to see if there are better rates with different telephone numbers. That is what our Discount Telephone Service does, it takes the second-guessing out of it. If you provide your telephone number and the location of your inmate, we will give you...
Read moreSubject: General prison questions-terminology
“Ask the Inmate” is not a direct communication link to a particular inmate; it is a question and answer forum between you and a former inmate who knows how things work on the inside. To communicate, you can write letters, postcards or send photos - you will have to go to your My Account area and click on the Inmate Page and then click "Letters". You will be able to communicate with them through there.
Subject: General prison questions-terminology
State prison anywhere is no picnic. It is not the facility, it is the inmates that are inside. Inmates have to figure out how things works, just like on the streets. Most cases there is not much to worry about, but there are predators that will try guys to see whose soft, so they can take advantage of them. It is going to be all up to him, how he interacts, how he processes and handles situations where confict is...
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Send us the name of the facility and your phone number and we will give you an honest estimate whether our service will benefit you or not.
Subject: General prison questions-terminology
that is not available for public release
Subject: General prison questions-terminology
this depends on where they are incarcerated. send us the name of the institution and we will try and get you the information. many facilities offer the essentials, and if they do not allow outside personal affects sent in, there is the commissary which has the extras like personal body products and clothing.
Subject: General prison questions-terminology
Yes. In most cases at Chester County Prison, inmates in the work release program are transported by the facility.
Typically:
The prison provides transportation to and from the job site
It is usually direct transport, not a personal stop along the way
Schedules are controlled and coordinated by the facility
That said, work release programs can vary slightly depending on:
The inmate’s classification level
The type of job and employer
Current program rules or staffing
Some programs may allow limited exceptions, but most follow a strict transport routine to maintain accountability.
Best practice:
Have the...
Read moreSubject: General prison questions-terminology
Yes, but you will need to call the facility and speak with someone about how to transfer it to your son. They might have a specific way of doing things. None of the facilities do things alike.
Subject: General prison questions-terminology
When you are hearing different things, the only version that matters is what has been officially filed with the court.
The jail and individual officers may give incomplete or outdated information. Charges can change quickly, especially early in a case. The Clerk of Court has the accurate, current record.
What you should do right away:
1. Contact the Clerk of Court
Go in person if you can, or call. Ask for:
The formal charges filed
The case number
The court date and type of hearing
This is public information and they can give you...
Read moreSubject: General prison questions-terminology
Should not be too long. It could be a week or more.
Subject: General prison questions-terminology
Maury Correctional Institution is a close and medium security prison for adult males located near Hookerton, North Carolina in Greene County.
Maury Correctional Institution opened in April, 2006 becoming the fourth of six 1000-bed facilities to be opened before 2008. A 504-bed medium-custody unit was completed after opening. The prison employs correctional officers, food service programs, medical/mental health, maintenance and administrative staff.
The facility is operated under the unit management system and is separated into four separate units. The Green Unit houses...
Read moreSubject: General prison questions-terminology
You can see if their case manager or counselor will give them permission - it would require a deputy or sheriff to come to the facility and take down the information. Depending on the circumstances, these are the correct people to determine whether it's going to be allowable.
