HOME
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas California
Colorado Connecticut Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri Montana Nebraska
Nevada
New Jersey
New Hampshire New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania Rhode Island
South Carolina South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Federal
ICE Immigration
FAMILY RESOURCES
INMATE
Money
Phone
EX-OFFENDER
Shelters
Housing
Health Care
Jobs
Education
Privacy Policy
Inmate FAQs
Information for friends and relatives of inmates.
Inmate Care Packages
The answer to this question is going to vary from facility to facility. Some correctional facilities do allow inmates to receive care packages from a pre-approved service such as iCare Gift Services. To find out if iCare can deliver to your inmate, visit their home page and see if you can select your facility from their drop-down list. If not, you'll have to contact the facility directly to find out if there are other options. Some facilities allow inmates to receive packages from family members.
To find contact information for the facility, select your state on the left and click the Department of Corrections link, then look for a facilities locator or prison directory on the DOC website. There will usually be contact information listed on each individual prison's page. Here's an example (the Apalachee Correctional Institute in Florida).
TOP
Inmate Phone Calls
Most facilities do not allow inmates to receive phone calls. Generally speaking, inmates are allowed to place collect calls to a list of pre-approved numbers. It may be necessary to set up a pre-paid account. Many facilties do not allow inmates to call cellular phones.
If you have a verifiable emergency such as a death in the family, you'll need to contact the facility directly and your message will be relayed to the prisoner.
For more specific information, visit the prison's web page. To find it, select your state on the left and click the Department of Corrections link, then look for a facilities locator or prison directory on the DOC website. Here's an example of an inmate phone calls page.
TOP
Inmate Email
Most prisoners do not have internet access and can't receive email. There are services that print and mail digital communications to prisoners (you must provide the address). Check www.emailingaprisoner.com and JPay.com. With JPay, you can send photos and a 30-second videogram along with your message.
TOP
Get out of debt! $10,000-$500,000. Free.
No credit check. This is not a loan. Click here.
Inmate Mail
Most prison facilities allow prisoners to receive letters and photographs. There are often rules for addressing the envelope, so check with your particular facility or state Department of Corrections. The DOC website will often have very specific guidelines published (here's an example).
Inmate mail is subject to being opened and read by prison officials. Some facilities allow you to send publications and others don't. Again, you'll need to check the rules for your particular state and/or facility.
You can visit the prison's web page to find the correct mailing address. To find it, select your state on the left and click the Department of Corrections link, then look for a facilities locator or prison directory on the DOC website.
Pen Pals
TOP
Dating An Inmate
Yes, there are a couple of inmate "dating" sites that will put you in touch with prisoners who are looking for pen pals, romantic or otherwise. These are PrisonInmates.com and MeetAnInmate.com.
All incoming and outgoing inmate mail is subject to being read by prison officials.
TOP
Get out of debt! $10,000-$500,000. Free.
No credit check. This is not a loan. Click here.
How do I find out which facility someone is in?
Use your state's inmate locator to search for the inmate. The results will usually list the inmate's location. To begin, select your state from the list on the left, then follow the link to the state inmate locator.
TOP
Get out of debt! $10,000-$500,000. Free.
No credit check. This is not a loan. Click here.
Are there rules for visiting prisoners?
Yes, and usually lots of them. Most facilities have specific days and hours scheduled for visitation. You can't just show up at the prison whenever you like. There are usually dress codes (revealing clothes are generally not allowed) and rules for what you can bring with you. Here's an example of a prison's dress code for visitors. Other rules may include no cell phones, cigarettes, cameras or laptops in the building. If you're exhibiting flu symptoms, you may not be allowed in. You may have to submit to a search and you will almost certainly have to show picture ID.
You'll have to contact your specific facility to find out what the visiting hours are. To find contact information, first select your state from the list on the left. Then click the State Department of Corrections link. Most DOC websites have a prison locator which you can use to look up information specific to each facility. Quite often the prison's web page will offer detailed information about visitation rules and policies.
TOP
Get out of debt! $10,000-$500,000. Free.
No credit check. This is not a loan. Click here.
Conjugal Visits
Conjugal visits are extended, scheduled visits that allow an inmate to spend private time with a legal spouse. Proof of legal marriage must be provided and the inmate must be free of STDs. Conjugal visits are often called Family Visits.
Prisoners in federal penitentiaries are not allowed conjugal visits. The rules for state prisoners vary from state to state. Currently, only a handful of states allow conjugal visits, including California, Mississippi, and New Mexico.
You will most likely need to fill out an application. Visit the prison's web page for more specific information. To do this, select your state from the list on the left. Then click the State Department of Corrections link. Most DOC websites have a prison locator which you can use to look up information specific to each facility.
TOP
Get out of debt! $10,000-$500,000. Free.
No credit check. This is not a loan. Click here.
How do I get directions to the prison?
First, select your state from the list on the left. Check the state page for a link to the state's Facility Locator or Prison Directory. If there isn't one, click the State Department of Corrections link. Most DOC websites have a prison locator which you can use to find prison addresses and directions to each facility.
TOP
Get out of debt! $10,000-$500,000. Free.
No credit check. This is not a loan. Click here.
How do I put money in a prisoner's account?
The rules and procedures for this vary from state to state. Many states now let you deposit money into a prisoner's account online, using Western Union, JPay or another service. Others require that you mail a money order or cashier's check to the facility.
For information specific to your state, visit the State Department of Corrections. To do this, select your state from the list on the left. Then click the State Department of Corrections link.
TOP
Get out of debt! $10,000-$500,000. Free.
No credit check. This is not a loan. Click here.
How do I find someone who isn't in a state prison?
If the person is in federal custody, go to the Federal page to use the Federal Inmate Locator.
If the person is being held by US Customs and Immigration, go to the ICE page to use the ICE Detainee Locator.
In both cases, you must know the full name of and other details about the person you're looking for.
If the person is in a county jail, select your state from the list on the left and check for links in the County Sheriff's section. Many county sheriffs and some police departments have inmate locators. If you don't see a link to your county sheriff's office, try typing the name of your county and "Sheriff" into a Google search box.
TOP
Get out of debt! $10,000-$500,000. Free.
No credit check. This is not a loan. Click here.
Information for friends and relatives of inmates.
Can I send a care package
to my husband while he's incarcerated?
Can I talk to my incarcerated friend on the phone?
Are inmates allowed to receive mail?
Can I email an inmate?
Can I date an inmate?
How do I find out which facility someone is in?
Are there rules for visiting prisoners?
What are conjugal visits?
How do I get directions to the prison?
How do I put money in a prisoner's account?
How do I find someone who isn't in a state prison?
Inmate Care Packages
The answer to this question is going to vary from facility to facility. Some correctional facilities do allow inmates to receive care packages from a pre-approved service such as iCare Gift Services. To find out if iCare can deliver to your inmate, visit their home page and see if you can select your facility from their drop-down list. If not, you'll have to contact the facility directly to find out if there are other options. Some facilities allow inmates to receive packages from family members.
To find contact information for the facility, select your state on the left and click the Department of Corrections link, then look for a facilities locator or prison directory on the DOC website. There will usually be contact information listed on each individual prison's page. Here's an example (the Apalachee Correctional Institute in Florida).
TOP
| Know everything about anyone: |
|
|
* Do
Criminal Background Checks
* Powerful Reverse Search on Addresses, Phone Numbers and More * Find Out How to Get Your Own FBI File * Learn How to Locate an Old Friend, Missing Relative, or Lost Love * Find Out How to Check Out Your Daughter's New Boyfriend * Learn How to Protect Yourself From Identity Theft * Find Out How to Track Down People Who Owe You Money * Find How to Get Trial Transcripts and Court Records * And much, much more! Click Here |
|
Inmate Phone Calls
Most facilities do not allow inmates to receive phone calls. Generally speaking, inmates are allowed to place collect calls to a list of pre-approved numbers. It may be necessary to set up a pre-paid account. Many facilties do not allow inmates to call cellular phones.
If you have a verifiable emergency such as a death in the family, you'll need to contact the facility directly and your message will be relayed to the prisoner.
For more specific information, visit the prison's web page. To find it, select your state on the left and click the Department of Corrections link, then look for a facilities locator or prison directory on the DOC website. Here's an example of an inmate phone calls page.
TOP
| Know everything about anyone: |
|
|
* Do
Criminal Background Checks
* Powerful Reverse Search on Addresses, Phone Numbers and More * Find Out How to Get Your Own FBI File * Learn How to Locate an Old Friend, Missing Relative, or Lost Love * Find Out How to Check Out Your Daughter's New Boyfriend * Learn How to Protect Yourself From Identity Theft * Find Out How to Track Down People Who Owe You Money * Find How to Get Trial Transcripts and Court Records * And much, much more! Click Here |
|
Inmate Email
Most prisoners do not have internet access and can't receive email. There are services that print and mail digital communications to prisoners (you must provide the address). Check www.emailingaprisoner.com and JPay.com. With JPay, you can send photos and a 30-second videogram along with your message.
TOP
Get out of debt! $10,000-$500,000. Free.
No credit check. This is not a loan. Click here.
Inmate Mail
Most prison facilities allow prisoners to receive letters and photographs. There are often rules for addressing the envelope, so check with your particular facility or state Department of Corrections. The DOC website will often have very specific guidelines published (here's an example).
Inmate mail is subject to being opened and read by prison officials. Some facilities allow you to send publications and others don't. Again, you'll need to check the rules for your particular state and/or facility.
You can visit the prison's web page to find the correct mailing address. To find it, select your state on the left and click the Department of Corrections link, then look for a facilities locator or prison directory on the DOC website.
Pen Pals
TOP
| Know everything about anyone: |
|
|
* Do
Criminal Background Checks
* Powerful Reverse Search on Addresses, Phone Numbers and More * Find Out How to Get Your Own FBI File * Learn How to Locate an Old Friend, Missing Relative, or Lost Love * Find Out How to Check Out Your Daughter's New Boyfriend * Learn How to Protect Yourself From Identity Theft * Find Out How to Track Down People Who Owe You Money * Find How to Get Trial Transcripts and Court Records * And much, much more! Click Here |
|
Dating An Inmate
Yes, there are a couple of inmate "dating" sites that will put you in touch with prisoners who are looking for pen pals, romantic or otherwise. These are PrisonInmates.com and MeetAnInmate.com.
All incoming and outgoing inmate mail is subject to being read by prison officials.
TOP
Get out of debt! $10,000-$500,000. Free.
No credit check. This is not a loan. Click here.
How do I find out which facility someone is in?
Use your state's inmate locator to search for the inmate. The results will usually list the inmate's location. To begin, select your state from the list on the left, then follow the link to the state inmate locator.
TOP
Get out of debt! $10,000-$500,000. Free.
No credit check. This is not a loan. Click here.
Are there rules for visiting prisoners?
Yes, and usually lots of them. Most facilities have specific days and hours scheduled for visitation. You can't just show up at the prison whenever you like. There are usually dress codes (revealing clothes are generally not allowed) and rules for what you can bring with you. Here's an example of a prison's dress code for visitors. Other rules may include no cell phones, cigarettes, cameras or laptops in the building. If you're exhibiting flu symptoms, you may not be allowed in. You may have to submit to a search and you will almost certainly have to show picture ID.
You'll have to contact your specific facility to find out what the visiting hours are. To find contact information, first select your state from the list on the left. Then click the State Department of Corrections link. Most DOC websites have a prison locator which you can use to look up information specific to each facility. Quite often the prison's web page will offer detailed information about visitation rules and policies.
TOP
Get out of debt! $10,000-$500,000. Free.
No credit check. This is not a loan. Click here.
Conjugal Visits
Conjugal visits are extended, scheduled visits that allow an inmate to spend private time with a legal spouse. Proof of legal marriage must be provided and the inmate must be free of STDs. Conjugal visits are often called Family Visits.
Prisoners in federal penitentiaries are not allowed conjugal visits. The rules for state prisoners vary from state to state. Currently, only a handful of states allow conjugal visits, including California, Mississippi, and New Mexico.
You will most likely need to fill out an application. Visit the prison's web page for more specific information. To do this, select your state from the list on the left. Then click the State Department of Corrections link. Most DOC websites have a prison locator which you can use to look up information specific to each facility.
TOP
Get out of debt! $10,000-$500,000. Free.
No credit check. This is not a loan. Click here.
How do I get directions to the prison?
First, select your state from the list on the left. Check the state page for a link to the state's Facility Locator or Prison Directory. If there isn't one, click the State Department of Corrections link. Most DOC websites have a prison locator which you can use to find prison addresses and directions to each facility.
TOP
Get out of debt! $10,000-$500,000. Free.
No credit check. This is not a loan. Click here.
How do I put money in a prisoner's account?
The rules and procedures for this vary from state to state. Many states now let you deposit money into a prisoner's account online, using Western Union, JPay or another service. Others require that you mail a money order or cashier's check to the facility.
For information specific to your state, visit the State Department of Corrections. To do this, select your state from the list on the left. Then click the State Department of Corrections link.
TOP
Get out of debt! $10,000-$500,000. Free.
No credit check. This is not a loan. Click here.
How do I find someone who isn't in a state prison?
If the person is in federal custody, go to the Federal page to use the Federal Inmate Locator.
If the person is being held by US Customs and Immigration, go to the ICE page to use the ICE Detainee Locator.
In both cases, you must know the full name of and other details about the person you're looking for.
If the person is in a county jail, select your state from the list on the left and check for links in the County Sheriff's section. Many county sheriffs and some police departments have inmate locators. If you don't see a link to your county sheriff's office, try typing the name of your county and "Sheriff" into a Google search box.
TOP
Get out of debt! $10,000-$500,000. Free.
No credit check. This is not a loan. Click here.
| Know everything about anyone: |
|
|
* Do
Criminal Background Checks
* Powerful Reverse Search on Addresses, Phone Numbers and More * Find Out How to Get Your Own FBI File * Learn How to Locate an Old Friend, Missing Relative, or Lost Love * Find Out How to Check Out Your Daughter's New Boyfriend * Learn How to Protect Yourself From Identity Theft * Find Out How to Track Down People Who Owe You Money * Find How to Get Trial Transcripts and Court Records * And much, much more! Click Here |
|