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

Being on probation does not automatically disqualify you from visiting an inmate, but it does make the approval process more strict. At a facility like PCC, you will need to go through a formal approval process again, even if you were approved at a different facility years ago. Prior approval at FCC from 2004–2007 will not carry over. What you need to do: Submit a new visitation application to PCC Disclose your probation status honestly Be prepared for additional review or a required waiver Key factor: You...

Yes, it is possible, but you will need special approval first. When you are on felony probation, you are not automatically allowed to visit someone in prison. You must get permission from both sides: 1. The prison must approve you You will need to submit a visitor application They will see that you are on probation This usually triggers a review and requires a waiver 2. Your probation officer must approve it This is very important You should contact your probation officer before applying Visiting a prison without their...

The general rule across most facilities is straightforward. If you are 18 or older you can visit on your own as long as you are on the approved visitor list. If you are under 18 you must be accompanied by an adult to be allowed into the facility. That adult has to be an approved visitor as well. You cannot bring a minor to a prison or jail visit with someone who has not already been cleared through the visitation approval...

A parole revocation on a sentence this size is a serious situation and the realistic outlook depends heavily on what caused the violation, the supervising parole officer's recommendation, and ultimately what the parole board decides. The most optimistic outcomes, a nine-month flop or placement in a therapeutic program like a men's healing center, are typically reserved for people early in a long sentence who have demonstrated genuine progress and whose violation was relatively minor. A flop means being returned to custody...

Inmate jobs in jail and prison fall into two broad categories: facility maintenance work that keeps the institution running, and specialized positions that require more skill or trust. Facility maintenance is where most inmates start. Kitchen work, cleaning common areas and bathrooms, landscaping, laundry, and general upkeep are the jobs that everyone rotates through. They are not glamorous but they provide structure, get inmates out of their cells, and can count toward good behavior records. Specialized positions open up for inmates who...

A sexual act infraction is a formal disciplinary charge issued when an inmate engages in sexual behavior that violates facility rules. It goes on their disciplinary record and can carry real consequences including loss of good time, restricted privileges, placement in the SHU, or in some cases additional criminal charges. The two most common situations that generate this infraction are indecent exposure in front of staff and sexual contact with another inmate. Indecent exposure typically means masturbating in view of an officer,...

Whether you can physically touch your family member during a visit depends almost entirely on the security level of the facility they are in. Contact visitation means you are in the same room with no barrier between you. A brief hug at the start and end of the visit is typically permitted, and you sit across a table or in chairs facing each other. This is the standard setup at most minimum and low security facilities, federal camps, and many county...

Facility Procedures and Expectations for Visitors of the Illinois DOCOn your first visit to a facility you will be required to complete a “Prospective Visitor’s Interview” form. If visitors are provide false information on the form, visitation privileges may be restricted or revoked. IDOC staff has the right to interview or request background information from potential visitors to determine whether the individual would pose a threat to the safety or security of the facility or any person or to the...

The most important thing you can do is stay out of situations before they start. Prison is not universally violent, but conflict does exist and in many facilities it is the default way disputes get settled. The best advice is straightforward: keep your mouth shut and stay out of other people's business. Respect goes a long way inside. If you respect other people's space, their property, and their boundaries, you dramatically reduce your chances of ever finding yourself in a dangerous...

Yes, and USP Allenwood is among the federal facilities that will accommodate extended visitation for out-of-state visitors, but the key is making arrangements in advance rather than showing up and hoping for flexibility. Contact the facility before you travel. Ask to speak with your inmate's counselor or the visitation department and explain that you are coming from out of state. Request an extended visit and ask whether back-to-back weekend days can be arranged. Standard visiting at most federal facilities is limited...