InmateAid's letter mailing service is designed to make communication easier on you as you can do it all from a smartphone or computer. Jails and prisons do NOT allow self-addressed stamp envelopes past the mail room. The rule is for the inmate to purchase stamps and writing utensils from the commissary.

You can use a credit or debit card through Western Union. Western Union does international transactions with currency conversions which will become good funds for your inmate within minutes. Click on Send Inmate Money, we have step by step instructions in the event that you have any difficulties.

Inmates are moved often, for a variety of reasons. Your inmate's work release will probably change to the new venue as the releasing facility is usually the supervisor of the reentry. To send him a letter you must create an InmateAid profile for him and then use the Send Inmate Letter feature from your computer that we will send through the US Mail.

Good time is normally calculated into the release date. An inmate can only have good time taken away and therefore add time to the release date. In state prison, there are some programs where working harder labor, like long kitchen detail hours give more good time. Have your inmate ask his counselor or unit manager about programs that exist which might carve off some more time.

The rules are different everywhere. We can only help you if we know where your inmate is incarcerated. With the prison name we can reach out to the warden there and ask this specific question on your behalf.

LOVE. To know they are loved and that there is someone out there to communicate with. An inmate needs to have hope and the ability to see beyond their immediate situation and that they can get through it. Letters, books, magazines and newspapers will help them deal with the solitude, to stay connected with the outside world. I am hoping your inmate can get back in general population soon.

The short answer is "generally no". But the food is far from gourmet. In the county jails and state prisons, the meals are simple and heavy on carbohydrates (breads, pasta) and lots of weird looking bologna sandwiches. In the federal system, the meals are on a national schedule, for instance Wednesday lunch is "burger day". All things considered, the food is bearable, BUT it's nice to have money in your commissary to be able to supplement the food an inmate

There are many good legal minds in prison but also so many desperate people, too. It's hard to give advice not knowing the strong suit of the legal aide and the price they are charging. Common sense and instinct tells me that in MOST cases, an inmate cannot work legal magic from inside a prison. Read the section Inmate Scams and learn about some of the unbelievable things that are being done to the unsuspecting.

Because space is limited, it is difficult to transfer inmates. Inmates are assigned to facilities based on their custody level, safety and security issues and available space. In addition, an inmate may have their own reasons for not wanting to be transferred. For example, he/she may be making progress in the programs they are currently enrolled in; or he/she may have concerns about being housed with certain people at another facility. Some inmates find it easier to separate from their

The journey ahead seems impossible. Not knowing is actually worse than being there. The human spirit will prevail as you figure things out. You must keep to yourself and not get in other people's business. Do things that will improve you while there. Read, take college courses, exercise. Improve YOU and take care of YOU. Do the time, don't let the time "do you".