Subject: Inmate phone calls
Once his phone access is approved, the facility will notify him directly. Inmates are typically informed when they’re cleared to use the phone system.
He’ll also need to have funds available on his phone account before he can make calls, so both approval and funding need to be in place.
If everything is set up correctly, you should start receiving calls from him shortly after.
Subject: Send inmate mail
Inmates are not notified ahead of time when a letter is sent. Your letter is printed and mailed through USPS, and then delivered by the facility’s mailroom during regular mail distribution.
Once it arrives at the facility, it’s inspected and handed out to the inmate, so there isn’t a tracking or notification system on their end.
The best way to know they received it is when they respond to your letter or mention it during a call. Your mail will be delivered,...
Read moreSubject: Inmate search
There are two different things you might be looking for here and both are findable.
If you want to know what someone did to get incarcerated, an arrest record search will show you charges, conviction history, and sentencing information. This is public record and available through InmateAid's arrest record search tool.
If you want to know what they are up to inside the facility, that is harder to get officially. The facility itself will not share behavioral reports or daily activity with...
Read moreSubject: Inmate phone calls
Yes, it does work with Halawa.
The discount phone line works as long as your current phone number is considered long distance to Hawaii’s 808 area code. If that’s the case, the service can help reduce the cost of those calls.
Subject: Medical treatment
Unfortunately, medical information for inmates is protected by privacy laws, so facilities usually cannot share details about an inmate’s condition, even with family, unless the inmate has signed a medical release authorizing it.
That said, there are a few things you can try:
You can ask the facility if your son has a HIPAA or medical release form on file that allows them to speak with you. If not, they may be able to request one from him.
Since he was hospitalized, you...
Read moreSubject: Inmateaid website questions
Inmate profiles aren’t automatically private.
Privacy is controlled by the person who created the inmate profile. They have the option to make it private, which also removes it from search visibility online.
So if a profile is private, it means the account owner chose those settings, not the system or the facility.
Subject: Inmate phone calls
No, inmates can’t call just anyone using this service.
The number you set up is the only line they can call through the account. That means you stay in control of where the calls are received.
The inmate still has to initiate the call from their facility, but it will only go to the number connected to your account.
Subject: Inmate phone calls
That’s actually how it’s supposed to work.
The number you’re issued is set up to receive calls at the lowest possible rate from the facility. Different phone rates apply depending on the area being called, so using that assigned number helps reduce the cost.
Your personal phone number is set as the “routed to” destination behind the scenes, meaning calls go through the lower-cost number first and then forward to your phone.
It may look a little confusing in the account, but everything...
Read moreSubject: Send inmate mail
Postcards sent through InmateAid are printed and mailed via USPS, just like standard mail. Once they arrive at the facility, they go through the mailroom for inspection and are then delivered to the inmate during regular mail distribution.
There isn’t a notification or tracking system once the mail reaches the facility, so you won’t receive confirmation of delivery.
The best way to know they received it is if they mention it in a call or write back to you.
Subject: Inmate search
Yes, that can happen.
In many cases, someone on parole may still appear in the system because parole is considered an extension of their original sentence, so they are still technically under the state’s custody.
Once they fully complete parole and are no longer under supervision, their information is typically removed from the active custody database.
If you’re unsure about their current status, I can help you check based on the state or facility.
