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

InmateAid processes all payments through Stripe, one of the most widely used and trusted payment processors in the world. Like most international payment platforms, Stripe operates under financial regulations and sanctions guidelines that govern which cards and countries can transact on their network. Russian issued bank cards are currently restricted from processing through Stripe due to international sanctions and banking regulations that are outside of InmateAid's control. This is not a decision InmateAid made and unfortunately it is not something we...

Being transferred to a new facility always creates a temporary communication gap and it is one of the most stressful periods for families waiting to hear from their loved one. After transfer the inmate goes through an intake and processing period at the new facility before phone access is restored. During this time they are being assessed, assigned to a housing unit, and set up in the new facility's systems including their phone account. The approved call list from their previous facility...

Receiving your new InmateAid discount phone number means your account is set up and ready. That is great news. However there is one more step before your inmate can actually call you on it. Your inmate needs to add the new number to their approved call list at the facility before any calls can go through. Until that number is approved by the facility it will not connect even if your inmate tries to dial it. Here is how to make that...

You will receive it in two ways simultaneously. A text message to the mobile number you provided during signup and an email to the address on your account. The number is also placed automatically in your Account Dashboard under your phone lines section so you always have access to it in one place. If two hours have passed and you have not received your number here is what to check. Look in your spam or junk folder. Automated emails from new services...

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...

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...

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...

InmateAid does not currently offer food or clothing purchases for inmates in Minnesota or any other state. Here is why and what your options are. Food and clothing for inmates in Minnesota correctional facilities are handled through the facility's commissary system. Your loved one can purchase approved food items, clothing, and personal care products directly through their facility's commissary account. The best thing you can do from the outside is make sure they have money available to spend. InmateAid's Send Money...

Phone access hours depend on what type of facility your loved one is housed in. Here are the general guidelines for each system. Federal facilities typically have phone access available from 6:00 AM to 9:30 PM. These hours are relatively consistent across federal institutions though individual housing unit schedules may vary slightly depending on programming and meal times. State prisons generally operate phone access from around 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. State systems vary more than federal so confirming the specific hours...

In most cases you cannot purchase clothing, shoes, or personal care items directly and send them to your inmate. The good news is that in most facilities your inmate can purchase these things themselves through the commissary — as long as they have money on their account. In federal facilities the commissary offers a reasonable range of options. Inmates can typically purchase sweatpants, shorts, premium underwear, sneakers, and work boots in addition to basic toiletries, hygiene products, and personal care items....

Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center, known as RCCC, is located in Elk Grove California and is operated by the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office. Here is what you need to know about visitation options there. In person visitation In person visits at RCCC are available Monday through Saturday and must be scheduled in advance. No more than three visitors including infants and children are permitted per visit. All visitors must present a valid government issued photo ID. Visitors under 18 must be accompanied by...

No. There is no penalty to your inmate if you are unable to make a scheduled visit. Missing a visit is not a disciplinary matter and will not affect your loved one's privileges, record, or future visitation eligibility. This is one of those situations where the person on the outside often feels far more anxiety than the reality inside warrants. Life happens. Cars break down, emergencies arise, children get sick, and schedules fall apart. Prison officials understand this completely. In the experience...

Yes, the InmateAid discount phone service can work for calls from Madison Correctional Complex. Whether it will save you money depends on two factors specific to your situation. The first factor is the relationship between your current phone number and the number your inmate calls from inside Madison Complex. If your number is already local to the facility's area you may already be receiving the lower local rate. If your number is considered long distance relative to the facility you are...

The only appropriate way to initiate contact with an inmate you do not have a prior relationship with is through written correspondence. You cannot call them, you cannot visit without being on their approved list, and there is no direct messaging system that reaches inmates inside a facility. A letter is where every new connection begins. Writing to an inmate you do not know personally is more common than most people realize. People write to inmates for many reasons including admiration,...