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

Preparing them before you walk through that door is the most important thing you can do, and you are already thinking about it the right way. At 9 and 11, kids are old enough to understand more than adults sometimes give them credit for, but they still need the information framed in a way that does not frighten them more than necessary. If their dad has visible injuries from the arrest, tell them before they see him. Something simple and calm:...

Visitation is almost certainly available at Catahoula Correctional Center, but rights is a word worth unpacking because visitation in the correctional system is more accurately described as a privilege that has to be applied for and approved rather than an automatic entitlement. Both you and your husband have a role in the process. On his end, he can add approved visitors through the facility's system. On your end, you need to submit a visitation application to the facility and pass a...

Lassen County Jail has a contract with Securus. You have to use them for all calls, we are not replacing them. BUT, they have two sets of prices and depending on your current number, the calls will be $18.78 per 15-minutes OR $3.15 per 15-minute call. If you are paying the crazy-high rate, we can certainly help you. Once you get the number from us, enter it when you put money on your Securus account (or if your inmate can but phone...

Being recently released from the same facility your husband is currently in puts you in one of the more unusual visitation situations, but it is not an automatic disqualification and there is a clear path to getting approved. The standard policy at most correctional facilities restricts visitation by people with recent incarceration history, particularly at the same facility. The concern is primarily about the connections and relationships formed inside and the potential for those to create security risks during a visit....

Possibly, and the fact that you are the child's parent rather than a random person with a felony record is your strongest argument for getting approved. Most correctional facilities have an automatic restriction on visitors with felony convictions, and Potomac Correctional Center in West Virginia follows standard West Virginia DOC visitation policy which includes that restriction. The standard process does not approve felons for visitation without additional review. That is the baseline you are working against. However, the parent of an inmate's...

The InmateAid phone line is matched to the lowest tariff at the facility your inmate is housed. You still fund the account as there is only one carrier. A call from your inmate may now cost $6.00 per 15-minutes, if there is a lower rate, we get you a number that will get it. If there are no savings, we do not issue a number. For the tens of thousands that do use it every month, the IA fee is covered...

(we answered you directly earlier today via email.) this isn't a gimmick, it's just smart. we aren't replacing the phone carrier or suggesting we do. The InmateAid phone line is matched to the lowest tariff where your inmate is incarcerated. You still fund the account as there is only one way to get calls, and it's through a monopoly carrier that set the rates without a competitor. For instance, a call from your inmate may now cost $6.00 per 15-minutes, if there is a...