Resources For Prisoners & Family

Inmate Resources: Support for Prisoners, Families and Friends

Whether you are currently incarcerated or supporting someone who is, this collection of guides was written by people who have been through it. The articles address the most frequent challenges prisoners and their loved ones encounter, and they can be useful at any stage: while awaiting trial, before entering prison, during incarceration, while preparing for reentry, or after release.

Pre-Trial Resources for the Recently Convicted

If you have just been convicted and need direction on your next steps, the articles below are a good starting point. Stay calm and avoid panic, because there are lawful ways to handle every situation. Remember that you are not guilty until proven. Your first move should be to hire a defense attorney, then work toward getting bail. If you are already out on bail, you can begin preparing for your trial. Nothing is impossible, so keep faith in US federal law and hope for the best.

Prison visitation area where families meet inmates
Preparing for prison life and visits
Guide to inmate resources and prison preparation
Guidance for inmates and their families

  • How To Prepare For Your Time In Prison

    Looking for tips on getting ready for incarceration? This guide walks you through preparing yourself and adjusting to life behind bars.

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  • Getting Bail After An Arrest

    Curious about how bail works following an arrest, or how you would secure bail if you found yourself locked up? This article explains the process.

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  • Hire A Criminal Defense Lawyer

    Ever wondered how to go about choosing a criminal defense attorney when you are arrested or charged with a crime? This guide covers the procedure.

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Post-Trial and Pre-Prison Guides for Inmates and Family

Once your trial has ended and you know you will be serving time, you need to prepare for your jail term. Before that, wrap up whatever you can. The resources below help you decide what matters most right now, from handling small details to getting mentally ready. Read the articles below to learn more.

  • What Happens Inside A Prison - A Prisoner's Life

    Learn about life in prison and what goes on inside, and how an inmate copes with the various challenges behind bars.

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  • Ultimate Prison Survival Guide

    Prison life is not easy and can demand a great deal of effort and skill to survive. This is the ultimate guide to making it through your prison life.

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  • How To Prepare For a Criminal Trial?

    This article explains how to prepare for a criminal trial with the help of an attorney for criminal defense.

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In-Prison Resources for Family and Friends

While someone is incarcerated, family and friends need to understand many things about prison culture, visitation, and how to support their inmate. This section covers topics such as contacting the inmate, sending money, letters and gifts, visitation guides, and much more. If you are a family member or friend of an inmate, these resources will surely help you. Through these articles, we aim to solve the problem of contacting your attorney for simple things.

  • Ultimate Visitation Guide

    Visiting an inmate: everything you need to know, including FAQs, the application, dress code, and prison conduct.

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  • How to Visit a Federal Prison

    Visiting a federal inmate is not so complicated if you know the 4 rules of visiting a BOP: Locate, Be Approved, Prepare and Plan.

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  • Visitation Application Forms

    For visitation, most states require you to pre-file an application, which can be an online form or an offline process. Read this guide to know more.

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  • Calling An Inmate Using Prison Phone Services!

    Know how to call an inmate, the first-time setup and the calling process, plus calling rates and providers.

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  • Reentry To Society After Release: Life After Prison

    This article covers the most common problems inmates face during reentry to society and ways to overcome them.

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  • How to Send Money to an Inmate in the US

    Sending money to an inmate in the US can be complicated. Read our comprehensive guide to understand the process and ensure your money reaches its intended recipient.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who are these inmate resources for?
These resources are for inmates themselves as well as their family and friends. The guides cover the pre-trial stage, the pre-prison and post-trial stage, time spent in prison, and reentry after release.
What should I do first if I have just been convicted?
According to the pre-trial guidance on this page, the first steps are to stay calm, hire a defense attorney, and then try to get bail. If you are already on bail, you can begin preparing for your trial.
How can family and friends help someone who is in prison?
The in-prison resources cover contacting the inmate, sending money, letters and gifts, visitation guides, and calling an inmate through prison phone services.
Do I need to file anything before visiting an inmate?
For visitation, most states require you to pre-file an application, which may be an online form or an offline process. The visitation application guide on this page explains the process in more detail.
Are there resources for life after release from prison?
Yes. The reentry guide covers the most common problems inmates face during reentry to society and ways to overcome them.

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