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.

Western Union posts funds within minutes of your transaction. Tiger is a relatively new service and their website does not offer any information about the speed of their transactions.

Sentence reduction comes from good behavior time credit, residential drug program (federal) or cooperation with the government. If you are cooperating you can get the credit before or during your sentence - there is no prerequisite of time served.

The law guarantees a right to a speedy trial, but circumstances could exist that would delay things. There must be something that is holding this up, maybe there are other defendants involved or issues that your friend might not have told you about. If you have more information we could continue this as a private correspondence.

Commissary prices are pretty close to the price of goods on the street. Inmates are restricted in their spending and county jails are usually $50-75/week. If you want to see a sample commissary list go to Federal Correctional Institution - Loretto Low and click on the commissary list for that facility in additional information.

You may log onto your account using your User email and password. In the left hand column click on Inmate Profiles. Then click on the Profile link. Scroll down to the bottom that says “ID Number” and make your change. When you are satisfied with your result, enter Save and you are done!