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

The short answer is nothing. You cannot bring gifts directly to an inmate during a visit. It does not matter how small or harmless the item seems. Anything you try to bring in will be turned away at the door and depending on what it is could create problems for you and your loved one. Most facilities will allow you to bring a small amount of cash for the vending machines in the visitation area. That is typically the only thing...

When an inmate first arrives at a facility like High Desert, there is a short adjustment period before normal communication begins. Phone calls: He will go through intake and orientation (A&O) first During this time, calls are usually restricted or not allowed yet He will need to submit and get his phone list approved Once approved, he can start calling you This process typically takes a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the facility. If you already put money on the phone account: That is good and necessary But he still...

Yes, you can order books and newspapers for your inmate, but there are a few important rules to follow. Ordering from Amazon: You can send books from Amazon, but they must be new and shipped directly from Amazon Do not use third party sellers or used books, those are often rejected Paperback books are usually required, hardcovers are often not allowed Newspapers and magazines: These must come directly from the publisher or an approved vendor A subscription is the safest way to send newspapers Do you need commissary? No, you do not...

That depends on several factors that vary from case to case, and without knowing the full details, it is impossible to predict which direction a prosecutor will go. The two biggest factors that influence how hard a prosecutor pushes are whether anyone was hurt and how much property damage was involved. A case where someone was physically harmed or significant property was destroyed is going to be treated very differently from one where the impact was minimal. Prosecutors weigh the severity...

Inmates are not just turned out with nothing, but what they leave with depends on their situation. Money: Any money left in their inmate trust account is returned to them at release This includes money earned from prison jobs and money sent in by family that was not spent If they have no funds, some facilities provide a small release allowance, but it is usually minimal Clothing: They are typically released in either their personal clothing (if they had some stored) Or basic state issued clothing if...

Two month sentence inmates are called "short-timers". The inmates they will do time with are not interested in fighting unless they feel disrespected. Disrespect can come in many forms but if the inmate keeps to themselves and doesn't create conflict, if they keep their mouth shut, their opinions to themselves nothing will happen. As easy as it is to stay out of conflict and just as easy to get into conflict. If he is telling you it is not that bad, he will...

It is completely understandable to be worried, especially since this is his first time and communication suddenly stopped. The most important thing to know is that gaps like this are very common in prison, especially early on. It does not automatically mean something is wrong. Common reasons you have not heard from him: Loss of phone privileges due to a minor rule violation Facility lockdown or unit restrictions Transfers within the prison or housing changes Limited phone access or broken phones Processing delays, especially if he is new What...

You did not mess up. Drinking that ends up with violence is why there are jails. People who do not know better and need to be caged to protect those that beat their "loved ones". This is not something that will play well in front of a judge.You are not going to get the opportunity to say this in open court, and probably not smart to say it at all. The national pulse on domestic violence is not offering high tolerance, either.  If...

To find out your family member’s current status and whether parole is possible, you will need to go through official sources, not just the jail. Start with the court records: Parole eligibility is determined by the judge and written into the sentencing documents. This is usually called the Judgment and Commitment order. It outlines: The sentence Whether parole is allowed Any special conditions You can: Call the Clerk of Court in Maverick County Ask for case details and sentencing information This information is public and they can guide you Check with the...

You are doing all of the right things to stay connected. If you start writing letters, there is lag time in the beginning but after the first one gets there, then there'll be a stream of consistent letters for him just about every day - if you keep writing everyday.  InmateAid's letter service is as fast as there is and VERY reliable. The photo feature is the most popular. Setting up a phone account can get expensive if you are...

Inmates who are serving less than a year will usually have their application for marriage denied with the presumption being that such a short wait will not harm the prisoner or prospective spouse. Each partner must be legally eligible and mentally competent to marry. Marriages may be blocked for security or disciplinary reasons; solitary confinement can block access to marriage. Most states do not allow marriage for inmates on death row; California is at least one exception to that rule. Some jurisdictions, such as the state...