Smoking has been banned in just about every facility. There are still some county jails here and there that sell tobacco products on their commissary but there are very few. Cigarettes are a major "black market" item that can sell for one dollar to $20.00 per cigarette depending upon the custody level of the prison.

Generally speaking prisons do not allow clothing to be shipped into a prison (there are some exceptions). Prisons provide clothing and the commissary has workout clothing that can be bought and then worn when not in uniform. Our advice is to wait until your inmate can provide information about that facility and whether or not they allow it.

InmateAid is a mail service to the inmate, not a direct line.  You can write a letter with our service using a credit card. The coupon code is for offers that we run from time-to-time. Use the Contact Us link on the Home page with your email address and we will happily send you (or ANYONE) a discount coupon for your next letter.

Books MUST be sent by the publisher like Amazon.com. Once the package arrives at the prison the staff will open it and inspect them for contraband. The time it takes from the mail room to inmate "mail call" could vary by facility, we have no control once inside the prison.

If he was admitted with clothes and they didn't mail them back to you he will have them to wear. Other alternatives are they give him a set of clothes, or he might have had "work out clothes" that he can wear home, too. You will have to ask him about what he has or if he needs you to send some.

There are some facts in your question that make the answer difficult to accept but it would appear that he's looking at the beginning of an 8 year sentence. The six months will be credited and if he can be productive and stay out of conflict while he's there he will accrue good time credits and get out earlier than the entire bid. Help keep him busy by communicating and sending him things to read. If you have more information

Any mail that comes into the prison is inspected by the staff for contraband. Typically the daily received mail makes it to mail call the same day (Monday-Friday). 

Normal shipping is 2-3 business days from Amazon after your order is processed. Prisons normally do not allow any books to be sent in by individuals, only from recognized publishers.

Most prisons prefer paperbacks to be on safe side. But as long as the books are coming from the publisher, like Amazon.com both hard cover or paperback are acceptable.

We are not lawyers but this does not appear to be a case where he could see a reduction except for good time credits for not getting into any more trouble while doing the six months. Keep in contact with him and keep him occupied with things to read like letters from you, books, magazines and newspapers.