Maybe he doesnt have the money in his account to make outbound calls? We would recommend that you write him a letter and ask how he is doing. Find out if he needs money to be able to call you.

Federal prison anywhere is no fun, USP-Tucson is known for housing inmates with sexual-based offenses. There they have comprehensive programming to address the needs of these inmates. 

Unfortunately, there is nothing that someone from the outside can do to effectuate anything regarding the treatment of an inmate. The prison/jail staff is acting in the best interest of the inmate in keeping them safe by placing them in isolation for continual observation.

Sorry to report that there is always going be a cost of some kind. Even if you visit, the cost of travel and the money you might spend on the vending machines cost money. The calls cost money, the emails cost money, a handwritten letter costs at least a $0.55 cent stamp. It's a hard truth but someone is getting paid somewhere.

Both are a prison but in my opinion, the federal prisons are better because they have a bigger operating budget. The staff is well-paid and well-trained. The food is better with more choices. There are more vocational and educational opportunities. But, neither is better than freedom.

He should be able to keep the tablet since he is still DOC system.

Calhoun Correctional Institution is a medium-security prison and is not considered a "camp". The prisons in the Florida Department of Corrections are no picnic. Medium security means restricted movement and it's a state prison which is not the best place to do your time.

Yes, you must relinquish your grillz, your hair extensions, toupees... anything not attached to your person must be removed before you are designated to a permanent housing location.

Probably not, inmates have a tendency to overstate their treatment to gain sympathy from the outside world in the pursuit of money being placed on their commissary. We encourage adding a little money to their books from time to time, but they need to be straight with you, too 

Prison sucks. Prison is reliving the same day over and over like the movie Groundhog Day. Prison is dismal and replete with boredom. You have to find a routine that can take you through the days without getting into a depressed state. The inmate motto is, "Do your time, don't let your time do you."