it depends what type of person you are and how much time you are facing. is it months or is it years?  where is it going to be served?  resubmit your question with some more details about your situation. 

You will be notified by email that your inmate has sent a letter

You can try, but there are rules that allow the staff to reject letters missing all of the identification information, like the ID number. 

Recovery academies and therapeutic programs within correctional settings often have their own rules about personal property that differ from standard incarceration guidelines. What is allowed at a general population facility may not be permitted in a structured recovery program, and the reverse can also be true in some cases. The only reliable way to get an accurate answer for NM Women's Recovery Academy specifically is to call the facility directly and ask. Ask to speak with a counselor, case

Parole is an option if the judge has provided language in the Judgement and Commitment order. This is for state offenders only as federal sentencing no longer offers parole. 

All inmates start with good time credits regardless of the sentence. It is a built-in incentive to behave. 

They can either reply to your address, or to the address of InmateAid. We receive thousands of Inmate Response letters on behalf of the Members of the site, it provides a way for people to communicate with an inmate without using their actual address. 

No, there are no monthly plans from the carrier at the jail/prison. The service is contracted by government bid to about 30 prison phone carriers (GlobalTel*Link, SecurusTech, PayTel, ICSolutions, CityTeleCoin, NCIC, Reliance, Telmate, Encartele, Legacy, Correct Solutions Group to name a few). Only one wins the contract and by definition, they are a monopoly. You now pay their rates whatever they are. Some calls are over $20.00 for 15 minutes. There are other plans similar to our Discount Phone Plan.

No, it is not free. The "distance learning courses" are prepaid to the offering university or college and then mailed into the facility's education department. The education staff oversees the testing and compliance. Inmate Education    

Yes, within reason. It also helps if the attorney makes a contact at the jail so that they can arrange for as many calls and visits as is necessary. The good lawyers know how to navigate the system.