National Guides
General information about prison visiting, communication, sending money, and visitor rights. These guides apply broadly across all states. For state-specific rules, visit the state pages.
Visiting Basics
How prison visiting works in the United States — the general rules, what to expect, and how to prepare
Your First Visit
A realistic walkthrough of what your first prison visit looks like, from start to finish
Staying in Touch
Phone calls, video visits, email, and mail — all the ways to communicate and what they cost
Sending Money
How to put money on someone's books, what it costs, and what they can actually buy with it
The Cost of Staying in Touch
How prison phone, video, messaging, and money-transfer costs work — the federal caps and their rollback, the states with free calls, and practical ways to pay less.
Know Your Rights
What rights you have as a visitor, what's monitored, and what to do when something goes wrong