Just thought of a question?

Have a question?

Ask The Inmate

Ask a former inmate questions at no charge. The inmate answering has spent considerable time in the federal prison system, state and county jails, and in a prison that was run by the private prison entity CCA.

Ask your question or browse previous questions in response to comments or further questions of members of the InmateAid community.

Subject: Send inmate mail

The InmateAid photos are printed on 4x6 high gloss photo paper - approved for all jails and prisons. These are NOT a printed postcard, they are delivered safely in an envelope directly into the facility. Make sure that you have the inmate's ID (if applicable) and allow 1-3 business days for delivery.

Read more
Subject: Visitation

Three denials is a clear pattern, and the honest answer is that there is no reliable workaround. When someone is on probation, most facilities treat visitation applications with significant caution, and a non-family relationship like a boyfriend does not carry the same weight as a spouse or immediate family member when decision-makers are evaluating borderline cases. That is not a judgment, it is simply how the system weighs these things. A few options still worth trying: If your

Read more
Subject: Education & vocational training

The best source for current program information at Fountain Correctional Facility is the facility itself. Programs, eligibility requirements, and availability change over time and vary by housing unit, so calling directly will get you the most accurate and current answer. You can reach Fountain Correctional Facility at 251-368-8122. When you call, ask to speak with the programs department or a case manager and ask specifically about the SRP program your son mentioned. Have his full name and inmate ID

Read more
Subject: Halfway house

If your husband is reporting to a halfway house in Ludlow, Massachusetts, he is entering what the Federal Bureau of Prisons calls a Residential Reentry Center (RRC). These programs are designed to help inmates transition back into everyday life before full release. Here is what you can expect: What the environment is like: It is not prison, but it is still structured and supervised He will have rules, curfews, and required check-ins Staff monitor his progress and compliance

Read more
Subject: General prison questions-terminology

Every situation is unique. We have a large number of members using 1000 minutes a month or more. State and county inmates can usually call as much as they want. Federal inmates get 300 minutes per month and 400 minutes for the months of November & December. The problem is the high cost of the calls. If your inmate is calling you long distance, look into getting a local number from InmateAid Discount Telephone Service and reduce the price by

Read more
Subject: Inmate phone calls

No. The InmateAid discount phone number is not a collect call system and should not be used as one. Accepting collect calls defeats the purpose of the service and will not produce the savings you signed up for. Here is how it actually works. InmateAid provides you with a local phone number that forwards to your existing phone. Your fiancee dials that number through the facility's phone system the same way he would dial any other approved number on

Read more
Subject: Commissary

Delivery timelines for online commissary orders vary depending on the service you used and the facility's commissary schedule. InmateAid is not affiliated with e-comm or most third-party commissary platforms, so we cannot speak to their specific processing times. For the most accurate answer about your order, contact the commissary service you purchased through directly. They will be able to tell you when the order was processed and when it is expected to be available to your inmate. A

Read more
Subject: General prison questions-terminology

Yes, federal inmates are reviewed regularly through what is called a Unit Team meeting (often just called “team”). At facilities run by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, these reviews typically happen about every 6 months. During this meeting, the inmate sits down with: Their case manager Counselor Unit team staff They review: Behavior and disciplinary record Work performance and program participation Overall adjustment to the facility Does this lead to a transfer to a lower

Read more
Subject: General prison questions-terminology

In most cases there is no limit to the amount of photos an inmate may receive. In the cases where there are limits, we post the number allowed on their Prison Facility page.

Read more
Subject: General prison questions-terminology

In the federal system, holiday phone minutes are handled as a temporary increase to the monthly allowance, not as separate deposits on specific dates. If your husband’s cycle resets on the 28th of each month, here is how it works: His normal allotment is 300 minutes per cycle During the November and December holiday period, that allotment increases to 400 minutes total per cycle The extra 100 minutes are included automatically in each monthly cycle that falls within that timeframe So

Read more
Search Arrest Records