Ask The Inmate. Real answers from people who've been there.

This situation can definitely be confusing because terms like “half time” and “33%” are often used loosely, and they do not always mean the same thing once the sentence is being calculated by the prison system. In California, most nonviolent offenses fall under what is commonly called “half time,” which means the inmate can earn up to 50% off their sentence through good behavior and participation. However, there are exceptions where the credit earning rate is reduced to about 33%, and...

When an inmate is transferred from a county jail to a state prison (DOC), their personal property like wallets, clothing, and personal items is handled by the jail, not sent with them. What usually happens to the property: 1. Held by the jail: The facility may store the property until release This is common if no arrangements are made 2. Picked up by family or friends: Many jails allow a designated person to pick it up The person may need: Valid ID Authorization from the inmate 3. Mailed out: Some facilities will ship the property to a...

At Ohio Reformatory for Women, you will need the inmate’s ID number to send money, whether you use a service or mail. Why the ID number matters: It ensures the money is applied to the correct inmate account Facilities process thousands of deposits, so names alone are not enough Your options: 1. Western Union or electronic services: Require the inmate ID number to complete the transaction Fastest way once you have the correct information 2. Money order by mail: Some facilities may accept it, but You will still usually need the ID number listed on the money order How...

Delivery time: Letters sent through InmateAid usually arrive at the facility in 2–3 business days After that, mail is opened, inspected, and sorted Delivery to the inmate typically takes another 1–5 days So most inmates receive your letter within 3–7 days total, depending on the facility. What the inmate sees: Your name appears on the letter Your home address is NOT shown unless you include it yourself How they know how to write back: The letter includes the InmateAid return address They can write back to that address just like regular mail How replies work: The inmate sends the letter...

You will know when they decide. There is no magical process that we are in on. If he was recommended six months, more than likely he will get it. Most federal inmates are getting six months these days - even more months if they started with longer sentences. Halfway house is no joke either. The inmate must look for a job and pay the house one-third of their pay for the entire six months. Newly released inmates get a false...

Inmates that have money on their inmate trust accounts can purchase stamps and envelopes at the weekly commissary. If they do not have money on their books, the prison will provide indigent inmates with all the materials necessary to send out mail to their loved ones. If your inmate writes to you directly, using your address, the cost of the mailing is a 49 cent stamp. Many of our members use the Inmate Response Mail service through InmateAid. Your inmate would write you back to the...

When you set up a number for your son to call, the facility will not automatically notify him. It is your responsibility to make sure he knows. Best ways to let him know: Send him a letter with the new number clearly written Tell him during your next phone call (if possible) Make sure the number is easy to read and correct Important details: The number usually needs to be approved and added to his phone list Staff rarely pass along messages, so do not rely on them What happens next: Once he has the...

After your inmate goes before a judge to hear the charges read in open court will the topic of bond come up. If your inmate has a competent attorney, they will make a case to the judge for a reasonable bond amount. But, depending on the charge, if there was violence and the likelihood that the defendant will appear at all their court hearings will be the basis for whether a bond is allowed and how much it will be....

Death Row Maximum Security Inmates The cell12 ft. by 7 ft. cell; 86 square feetAll solo cellsBed built into wall (hard surface bed)Blanket and pillowStainless steel toilet and sinkShelving across one side of bed, which could be used as a deskSmall chairPersonal items can be displayed in the cell and there are two small and very thin windowsAllowed to buy a small radio or TVMeals Inmates are fed 19 meals a week, three meals a day Monday through Friday and...

The telephone service at all of the TDCJ Prison facilities is a company called Securus. Securus' rules are often different than the rules at the jail so they can maximize the profit per call. Normally, the cell phone carrier should have nothing to do with the approval process of an inmate's calls. The process is supposed to approve a person, not a telephone type or it's underlying carrier. Some people use InmateAid's service to get a local number for cheaper...

Yes, InmateAid’s discount telephone service is different from the GTL pamphlet, but they actually work together, not separately. About Global Tel Link (GTL): GTL is the official phone provider for the facility They handle: Connecting the call Recording and monitoring Billing you You must use GTL to receive inmate calls. There is no way around that. What InmateAid does differently: Provides you with a local phone number Your inmate calls that number instead of your regular number The call is billed by GTL as a local call instead of long distance Why this matters: Long distance calls: often $4–$15 per call Local calls: often under $2...

Generally no. Being written up and sent to the hole does not result in money being taken from an inmate's commissary account as a standard punishment. Disciplinary sanctions typically come in the form of lost privileges, loss of good time credits, or placement in segregation. Random monetary deductions as punishment are not standard practice. That said, there are several legitimate circumstances where a facility can and does deduct from an inmate's account. Restitution. If a court ordered restitution as part of the...

We do not have a running list of the 2.3 million inmates that are incarcerated in over 10,000 locations. The list changes every day with new people going in and other inmates getting released. The inmate locators are updated in the jurisdiction where they're sentenced. The list of Personal Inmate Pages on our site are "user-generated content". Members like yourself create an Inmate Profile for you to use in assisting them during their sentence. If you would like some help...