College coursework completed inside a correctional facility operates under a layer of oversight that makes cheating significantly more difficult than it would be in a traditional academic setting. The prison's education department serves as the intermediary between the inmate student and the college or university, and that relationship comes with direct supervision built in. Examinations are proctored by facility staff, meaning the inmate sits for the test in person under direct observation with no access to outside materials or

State prison systems do not offer RDAP, which is a federal Bureau of Prisons program. However, most state systems have their own sentence reduction pathways and in some cases they are more generous than the federal system. Good time credits The most universal sentence reduction tool in state prison is good time credit earned through good behavior. The range varies dramatically by state. Some states offer as much as 67% good time, meaning an inmate only serves one

There are items that span from clothing and shoes, to food and drink, to over-the-counter medical supplies and personal hygiene items. Typically there is one day designated for shopping. Remember that the commissary is a privilege and inmates may be subject to revocation for incident reports. For a more complete list, go to InmateAid's Commissary Information page.

Most prisons and jails have an array of vending machines. Make sure that you bring plenty of change and one dollar bills. Don't let the inmate handle the money, the guards may cancel your visit.

The Second Chance Act was passed by Congress in 2010 but the Bureau of Prisons has been slow to implement the law. The caveat in the law allows the BOP to use the statute "to their best discretion." Typically that means less being done than more. We have the actual statute on the site. CLICK HERE to download the 2nd Chance Act PDF

Access to higher education during incarceration has expanded significantly in recent years, and the range of programs available to inmates is broader than most families expect. Most traditional undergraduate degree tracks can be pursued from inside a correctional facility through universities that have developed dedicated prison education programs. Louisiana State University is one of the more well-known examples, offering coursework specifically structured for the incarcerated population. But LSU is far from the only option. Programs exist across the country

Commissary spending limits exist at every level of the correctional system and are enforced regardless of how much money is sitting in the inmate's trust account. Having a fully funded account does not mean unlimited spending. The caps are in place to manage inventory, reduce conflict over goods, and prevent any single inmate from accumulating disproportionate amounts of commissary items that could be used for bartering or pressure. In the federal system, the Bureau of Prisons sets a monthly