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

Finding an inmate's release date depends on which system they are in. For federal inmates the Bureau of Prisons publishes projected release dates in their free online locator at bop.gov/inmateloc. Search by name or inmate ID number. The date shown reflects good time credits already applied and is updated as the sentence progresses. For state inmates each state Department of Corrections maintains its own inmate search tool. Most include projected release dates or parole eligibility dates in the results. InmateAid's facility directory...

Release dates shown on InmateAid are accurate at the time they are collected from official sources. However like all database-driven information they reflect a specific moment in time and can change between updates. Here is why a release date might differ from what you expected or what you previously saw. Release dates are not permanently fixed. They move based on factors that happen inside the facility after the data was last collected. Good behavior and program participation can earn time credits that...

Every inmate in the United States correctional system is assigned a unique ID number and you will need it for almost everything including sending money, sending mail, and setting up phone calls. Here is where to find it. For federal inmates the BOP inmate ID number is an eight digit number formatted as XXXXX-XXX. You can find it by searching the Bureau of Prisons free inmate locator at bop.gov/inmateloc using the inmate's full name. The ID number appears in the search...

The short answer is that they do not know automatically. You have to tell them. InmateAid has no way to notify an inmate inside a facility that a new phone number has been set up for them. The responsibility for communicating the new number to your inmate rests entirely with you. When InmateAid delivers your new number by text and email, that delivery includes step by step instructions explaining exactly what to do next and where your calls will forward to. If...

Making a phone call from inside a correctional facility is a straightforward process once everything is set up correctly. Here is how it works. Your inmate goes to the phone designated for inmate use in their housing unit. These are typically wall mounted phones in a common area accessible during specific times of day set by the facility. Phone access is not available around the clock. Your inmate will know their unit's designated phone hours once they are settled in. At the...

Losing your phone when you are expecting calls from an incarcerated loved one is stressful but there are steps you can take right now to stay connected. First, if you have access to another phone, a friend's phone, a family member's phone, or a temporary replacement, contact InmateAid immediately at aid@inmateaid.com. We can update the forwarding number on your discount phone line to point to whatever number you currently have access to. Your inmate keeps calling the same number they always...

This is a fair question and you deserve an honest answer. InmateAid previously offered single letters for $0.99. The reality of running that service was that the cost of materials, postage, and payment processing made every single letter transaction a losing proposition regardless of volume. Continuing to offer it would have meant either raising the price to a point that felt unfair or absorbing losses that were not sustainable. The current letter service is offered in packages of 8 letters for $8....

Unfortunately there is no way to call your inmate directly to let them know. All calls must be initiated by the inmate from inside the facility. You cannot reach them by phone from the outside. The fastest way to get a message to them is through a letter. A letter sent through InmateAid typically arrives within 2 to 3 business days via USPS. Write clearly that their phone account has been funded and that you are ready and waiting for their...

If you believe a friend may be incarcerated but are not certain, several free resources can help you find out quickly. Start with the Bureau of Prisons inmate locator at bop.gov/inmateloc if you think they may be in the federal system. Search by first and last name. If they are in federal custody their location and basic information will appear in the results. For state incarceration, each state Department of Corrections maintains its own public inmate search. If you know which state...

Yes, many correctional facilities now provide inmates with tablets and some of those tablets include a messaging function that works similarly to texting. However there are important limitations to understand before you expect this to work smoothly. First not every facility offers tablets. Availability varies widely by facility type, state, and the contracted technology provider. Federal facilities use TRULINCS for electronic messaging while many state and county facilities use platforms like JPay or GTL's ConnectNetwork. If tablets are available at your...

Sending a letter through InmateAid is designed to be as simple as possible so you can stay connected with your loved one from your phone or computer without needing to print anything, buy stamps, or go to the post office. Here is how it works from start to finish. You purchase a letter package through InmateAid. Letters are currently available in packages of 8 for $8. Your letters do not expire so you can use them at your own pace over time. When...

Inmates cannot directly access InmateAid from inside a correctional facility through any authorized means. The internet is not available to inmates through official facility systems and InmateAid is not accessible through approved tablet platforms or inmate computer terminals. The way inmates learn about InmateAid and the services available to them is through their families and friends on the outside. A family member discovers the site, uses it to send letters, set up discount calls, or locate their loved one, and then...

Getting turned away at the facility entrance because of what you are wearing is one of the most heartbreaking and avoidable experiences a visitor can have. Understanding the dress code before you leave home protects you and your loved one from a wasted visit. While specific rules vary by facility, here are the standards that apply at most correctional facilities across the United States. Clothing coverage Modesty is the baseline requirement. Too much skin showing will result in you being turned away regardless...

This is one of the most common sources of confusion for families trying to send books and the inconsistency you experienced is real. Here is exactly why it happens. Correctional facilities require that books be sent directly from the publisher or an approved retailer. The reasoning is straightforward — a book coming directly from a verified source is far less likely to contain contraband than one that has passed through unknown hands. Amazon operates in two completely different ways depending on which...

Being paroled means you are released from incarceration before completing your full sentence but you are not fully free. You are serving the remainder of your sentence in the community under supervision and the conditions of that supervision are strict and non-negotiable. Upon release you are assigned a parole officer who is responsible for monitoring your compliance with the terms of your parole. That relationship is one of the most important you will have during this period. Your parole officer has...