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

Time in “the hole” (also called SHU or segregation) depends on the disciplinary charge and the hearing outcome. There is no fixed length. Typical ranges: Minor infractions: a few days to a couple of weeks Moderate offenses: several weeks Serious violations: a few months or longer in some cases The decision is made by a disciplinary hearing officer, and behavior while in segregation can also affect how long the stay lasts. Can they still write letters? Yes. Inmates in the hole can still: Send and receive mail Write letters to family and friends There may be...

Yes, a denied visitation application can be disputed, and there is a clear path to doing that. The first step is finding out exactly why the application was denied. Facilities are not always forthcoming with this information automatically, but you are entitled to ask. Call the facility and ask to speak with a supervisor, typically the captain or the visitation supervisor, and ask specifically what the reason for the denial was and what information in your application triggered it. Common reasons for...

When an inmate is transferred from a county jail to a state prison after sentencing, the destination is not disclosed in advance. Facilities do not notify families of where an inmate is being moved for security reasons, and there is no way to find out ahead of time where he will end up. The most practical approach is to check the Arizona Department of Corrections inmate locator regularly. Once your fiance arrives at his designated facility and is processed into the...

No. InmateAid does not charge activation fees or add costs on top of what the prison's phone carrier already charges. The only fee InmateAid charges is the monthly cost for the local phone number itself. Here is the distinction that matters. Every jail and prison has an exclusive contract with a phone carrier, such as GTL, Securus, or CityTeleCoin. That carrier records all calls, manages the approved contact list, and bills for every call placed. You cannot opt out of their...

Yes, you will still need to maintain and fund an account with Securus Technologies even if you use a discount phone service. Securus controls the phone system inside the facility, so every call must go through them. The discount service does not replace Securus, it simply reduces the cost by giving your inmate a local number to call instead of a long distance one. Here is how it works: You get a local number through InmateAid You set up that number with Securus as the approved number You...

Visitation approval timelines vary depending on a few key factors, but six weeks is generally enough time for most applications to be processed under normal circumstances. The fastest approvals tend to be immediate family members with clean records applying to visit at facilities that run routine background checks. Those can come through in as little as one to two weeks. Applications take longer when the visitor is not a relative, since non-family visitors often undergo more detailed background screening. Any criminal history...

Yes. InmateAid provides all of its standard services for inmates at Lee Adjustment Center in Kentucky. The facility is operated by CoreCivic, formerly known as CCA, and functions within the same framework as other private correctional institutions we work with regularly. Services available for your friend at Lee Adjustment Center include the discount telephone service, which provides a local phone number that significantly reduces the per-minute cost of calls. Money transfers to the inmate's account are also available, along with letter...

Yes, you can absolutely get a new number set up after a transfer, and you do not have to wait for your current month to expire. When an inmate moves from a county jail to a prison, the area code and phone system usually change, so a new local number is needed for the discount service to keep working properly. Here is what to do: Provide the name of the new facility Request an updated local number for that location In most cases, the new number can...

You have two main options, and each works a little differently depending on what matters most to you. 1. Putting money on his books (commissary): He can use that money to buy phone cards inside This can help avoid some setup or deposit fees from outside phone providers Calls may be more straightforward and sometimes cheaper Downside: Once the money is on his account, he can spend it however he wants Calls to anyone Commissary items like food or hygiene products 2. Setting up a phone account: You create and fund an account with...

This is a legitimate grievance and there is a clear path to getting it resolved, but it requires persistence and going through the right channels. Start by calling the facility directly and asking to speak with the accounts manager or trust fund office. They have access to the inmate's financial records and can see exactly what was withdrawn, when, and whether a corresponding order was fulfilled. Have the approximate date of the transaction and the amount ready when you call. That...

According to the facility's published information, visiting hours at Philadelphia House of Correction run Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Visitors must sign in by 3:30 PM to be processed for a visit that day. Arriving after the sign-in cutoff means you will not get in regardless of how early the listed hours end. Before making the trip, call the facility directly at 215-685-8215 to confirm the current schedule and verify any specific requirements for your husband's housing...