The separation from family is terrible, but it's tougher on them to go on without you. But the worst thing that I had to deal with was the death of my mother. I was not there for others suffering, for her funeral nor was I able to feel closure.

Most prisons DO have kosher meals, especially at the federal level and if they don't you can contact the Aleph Institute in Miami Beach to arrange for them to get them set up. For the commissary food items, there are limitations to what a "kosher registered inmate" may select from.

The telephone is a big profit center for prisons and jails and the services that run them. Local calls run about SIX cents per minute, long distance starts at 23 cent per minute and may exceed $1.00 per minute or more. The only way around these ridiculous rates is to use a Discount Service that specializes in prison phone calls. InmateAid has partnered with some credible ones, any that you choose will be cheaper than NOT using one.

The curriculum is overseen by the prison's education department. Every piece of work that you do towards your grade is monitored and verified by the prison staff. You take your test in front of that personnel, your papers or other written submissions are done on your own time, and since there is plenty of that...be true to yourself and learn the material.

The state systems vary by each state, most states offer a program for "good time" reduction for good behavior and for taking approved courses. Some state prisons even have a special matching of good time credits for number of days an inmate works in the kitchen. The federal good time is about 15% of sentence. States range good time credit from as much as 67% (do only a 1/3 of your sentence) to the same 15% that they have at

There are items that span from clothing and shoes, to food and drink, to over-the-counter medical supplies and personal hygiene items. Typically there is one day designated for shopping. Remember that the commissary is a privilege and inmates may be subject to revocation for incident reports. For a more complete list, go to InmateAid's Commissary Information page.

Most prisons and jails have an array of vending machines. Make sure that you bring plenty of change and one dollar bills. Don't let the inmate handle the money, the guards may cancel your visit.

The Second Chance Act was passed by Congress in 2010 but the Bureau of Prisons has been slow to implement the law. The caveat in the law allows the BOP to use the statute "to their best discretion." Typically that means less being done than more. We have the actual statute on the site. CLICK HERE to download the 2nd Chance Act PDF

Most undergraduate degrees may be pursued through many traditional universities. LSU has a great program for inmates as do others. you may go to the "continuing education" section on the Home Page to see a wide variety of schools and programs to choose from.

Federal prison is $320 per month. County jails and state prisons are generally $50-75 per week. Usually the shopping is on a designated day between certain hours.