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

Rockdale County Jail in Conyers, Georgia offers contact visitation, meaning you will be in the same room as your boyfriend rather than separated by glass. Visits run approximately 20 minutes, and correctional officers are present in the visitation area throughout. Physical contact is limited. A brief hug at the beginning and end of the visit is generally permitted. Extended physical contact or anything beyond that is not allowed with staff present, and any behavior that draws attention from the officers will...

Tracy, formally known as the Deuel Vocational Institution, is one of California's reception centers where newly sentenced inmates go through intake and classification before being transferred to their permanent facility. The reception process takes time, and phone access is not available until that process is complete. Most inmates at a California reception center complete Admissions and Orientation within a couple of days to about two weeks after arrival, though the timeline varies depending on how many new arrivals are being processed...

Sending a letter from inside a correctional facility works the same way it does on the outside. The inmate writes the letter, addresses the envelope, affixes a postage stamp purchased from commissary, and drops it in the facility mail system. There is no special process or additional cost beyond the stamp itself. Envelopes and writing paper are also available through commissary for inmates who need them. The commissary itself carries a surprisingly broad range of products given the context. Food items...

Yes, the prisons have contracts with carriers where they share revenue for all outbound calling. You will have to fund that account either as a pre-pay account or get calling cards for your inmate who buys them at the commissary. Our service makes those calls cheaper by getting a local telephone number for the inmate to use. When they call the local number the carrier charges ONLY for a local call - InmateAid covers the long distance portion which is...

It depends on a number of factors - What facility is your inmate in? Is it a county, state or federal facility? Where are you (your area code and NXX numbers, which are the second set of three numbers)? Once we area able match the rate center of the prison to your phone number we can determine locality. Local calls are almost always less than long distance except in some states where Securus has the contract; and they are making...

Visiting someone in a Residential Substance Abuse Treatment program while you are on probation is more complicated than a standard prison visit, and approval is unlikely without specific circumstances working in your favor. RSAT facilities have their own visitation rules that are often stricter than general population prisons because the program environment is structured around recovery and rehabilitation. Visitors who may introduce negative influences or who have their own active criminal justice supervision are viewed with additional scrutiny by program staff. Being...

At Kirkland Correctional Institution, inmates are allowed to use commissary, as long as they have funds and are not under disciplinary restrictions. Commissary access: Inmates can buy snacks, hygiene items, and basic supplies Access may be limited temporarily if they are in segregation or have disciplinary issues About meals and shaving concerns: Facilities are required to provide meals that meet minimum nutritional standards. While portions may feel small, they are designed to meet daily requirements. Inmates are not supposed to be denied meals as punishment for things like shaving. However: There are...

At places like Madison Work Center, there is no single “right” amount to send. What inmates spend varies a lot based on habits, appetite, and what they are used to having. Here is a realistic breakdown: Basic needs (covered by the facility): Toiletries like soap and toothpaste (basic versions) Meals (standard portions) Clothing and essentials Commissary extras: This is where your money goes: Better hygiene items (name-brand, more comfortable) Snacks and drinks Writing supplies Occasional clothing or shoes Typical spending ranges: $50–$100/month: basic comfort, careful spending $100–$200/month: more snacks and better products $200–$300+/month: frequent snacks, extras, and convenience items So...

If the line is set up and operational but calls are not coming through, the most common explanation is that an additional step needs to be completed with the facility's contracted phone carrier before the number can actually be dialed from inside. InmateAid provides the local phone number and confirms it is active on our end. But the number also needs to be registered and approved within the jail's own phone system before your inmate can use it. That process works...