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

Inmates do NOT have access to the Internet. There are no computers to the outside world. There are however some email programs in various places like federal prison where the inmate can pay-per-minute to send and read emails. It is on about a 2-hour delay and is very expensive but it does work well. Inmates are strictly prohibited from the use of a cellphone. Cellphones are considered dangerous contraband and carry a punishment of up to an extra five years in...

We might be able to make the calls cheaper, it works most of the time. But, please be mindful that we are not a replacement for the prison telephone service, we find you a telephone number that will make their calls cheaper (through that system). The phone service at the Scioto County Jail is set up through a bid process. Securus has the contract for all inmate outbound calling and to tape record the calls. Therefore, you have to use them...

Being told you are on the list but still not being allowed in is one of the most confusing and frustrating visitation experiences families deal with and there are several specific explanations worth investigating. The most common reason is a scheduling or capacity issue. Many county facilities, including the house of corrections, operate visitation on a strict schedule with limited slots available per inmate per visiting period. Being on the approved list confirms eligibility but does not guarantee entry if the...

Five weeks into the wait is not unusual and unfortunately not a sign that something has gone wrong. The Bureau of Prisons halfway house and home confinement approval process runs on its own timeline and that timeline is rarely communicated clearly to inmates or their families. Here is how the process typically works. Once the unit team submits a recommendation for Residential Reentry Center placement or home confinement, the paperwork goes to the BOP's Residential Reentry Management office for the region....

The phone service at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility is set up through bid process covering all of the Oregon DOC facilities. Telmate has the contract for all inmate outbound calling and to tape record the calls. Therefore, you have to use them to receive calls - they are the only provider. The choice is whether you pay Telmate for a long-distance call (to Eugene) or a local call (to a number we would provision for you). Here is how it...

There is no standard timeline for halfway house approval to come back once the unit team submits the paperwork. The Reentry Management Office processes submissions on their own schedule, and a month of pending status is not unusual or a sign that something is wrong. A few things worth understanding about how this process works. The unit team submits their recommendation with significant lead time built in, often several months before the projected release date. That buffer exists precisely because the response...

Welcome. Commissary prices vary by facility and change over time, but here is a realistic ballpark for common items based on what inmates typically report across federal and state facilities. Basic hygiene items are usually provided by the facility at no cost, though the quality is minimal. This typically includes a small bar of soap, a basic toothbrush and toothpaste, toilet paper, and in some cases a disposable razor. What the facility provides keeps someone functional but not comfortable. Most inmates...

Yes, but it is limited to the initial booking period and it is not quite the unlimited free call that popular culture suggests. Upon first being taken into custody, inmates are generally entitled to make at least one phone call. The purpose of that call is primarily to contact an attorney or arrange for legal representation, though in practice many people use it to reach a family member who can then help with finding legal help or posting bail. The right...

When someone gets transferred to a new facility the visitation rules, scheduling process, and any waiting periods before visits are allowed vary enough from jail to jail that the only reliable source is the facility itself. For DeKalb County Jail in Tennessee specifically, visitation schedules, days, and times are set by the facility and can change based on staffing, population, and facility operations. The best move is to call the jail directly and ask to speak with someone who can give...