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

SCI Phoenix in Collegeville, Pennsylvania is one of the newer state correctional institutions in the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections system and has more modern communication infrastructure than older facilities. On back-to-back phone calls, most facilities including SCI Phoenix limit call length to 15 minutes per call and require a brief interval between calls before a new one can be placed. Whether consecutive calls are permitted within the same phone session depends on the specific rules at SCI Phoenix and whether other...

A transfer does not automatically carry your approved visitor status to the new facility. This is one of the more frustrating administrative realities families deal with and it can mean starting the approval process over from scratch. In the federal system, visitor approvals are generally tied to the inmate's central file and can sometimes transfer with them, but you should always confirm with the new facility rather than assuming. In state systems the rules vary significantly. Some states have centralized visitor...

They find out the same way most things get communicated inside: through the mail or through a phone call. If you set up a phone account through a service like Securus, GTL, or InmateAid, the inmate does not get an automatic notification from the carrier. The facility is not going to walk down to the unit and announce that someone set up an account for them. That information has to come from you. The most reliable way to let them know is...

The short answer is no, at least not through any legitimate channel, and the tablets themselves are designed to prevent it. Facility-issued tablets, whether through JPay, GTL, or another provider, are not connected to the open internet. They run on a closed network that is controlled and monitored by the facility and the tablet provider. The applications available on those tablets are specifically approved and installed by the provider. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat are not on that...

These are important questions about prison safety and accountability that deserve honest answers. Separating violent offenders Federal and state prison systems already use classification systems to separate inmates by security level, offense type, and risk assessment. Maximum security facilities house the most violent offenders separately from lower security populations. The PATTERN risk assessment tool in the federal system and similar tools in state systems are designed specifically to prevent high-risk inmates from being housed with low-risk populations. However, complete separation by offense type...

Video visitation works differently depending on the facility. Not all prisons and jails offer it and those that do typically use a contracted service provider such as Securus, GTL, or JPay. Here is how to get started. First confirm whether your loved one's facility offers video visits at all. Check the facility's official website or call them directly. InmateAid's facility directory has contact information for over 2,500 facilities nationwide if you need help finding the right number. If video visits are available, you...

There are two ways to see your incarcerated loved one. In-person visitation and video visitation. Both require preparation and both are governed by the rules of the specific facility where your inmate is housed. In-person visitation In-person visits take place at the correctional facility itself. Before you can visit you must be on your inmate's approved visitor list. Your inmate submits your name to their case manager who initiates a background check and approval process. This can take anywhere from a few...

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...

The length of time an inmate spends in the Special Housing Unit, commonly called the hole or the SHU, depends almost entirely on what was found and how serious the facility considers the infraction. At the minor end of the spectrum a small infraction might result in a week or two in the SHU followed by the loss of certain privileges like visitation, phone access, or commissary for a set period. These situations are unpleasant but manageable and the inmate typically...

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...

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,...

The Special Housing Unit (SHU), often referred to as "the hole," is a segregated area within a correctional facility where inmates are placed for disciplinary reasons, administrative segregation, or protective custody. Inmates in the SHU experience more restrictive conditions, including limited contact with other inmates and reduced privileges. If you suspect that your loved one has been sent to the SHU, the best course of action is to contact the facility directly. Ask to speak with the inmate's case manager or...

Yes, the women's Federal Prison Camp (FPC) in Marianna, Florida, provides vending machines in the visiting area for visitor use. These machines typically offer sandwiches, soft drinks, and candy. Visitors are permitted to bring up to $25.00 in denominations of $5.00 or less to purchase items from these vending machines. It's important to note that inmates are not allowed to handle currency; therefore, visitors must make purchases on their behalf. Additionally, inmates are not permitted to accompany visitors to the...

If your visitation application with your ex-husband at the county jail was denied due to your felony conviction from 2011-2012, there are steps you can take to potentially get your application reconsidered, especially since you've completed parole without any violations. Here’s how to approach the situation: 1. Understand the Jail's Visitation Policy: Review the specific visitation guidelines and policies of the county jail where your ex-husband is incarcerated. Many facilities have strict rules regarding visitors with felony convictions, but some allow exceptions...