This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
Not all incarcerated individuals are guilty of the crimes they are charged with, and not all incarcerated individuals are evil; many made a mistake in their youth, were under the influence of drugs while committing a crime, had a traumatic life, etc. Don’t assume incarcerated individuals are evil or deserve to be where they are. Many simply need help, healing, and accountability.
If anyone has ever known someone who got locked up in jail, you know that the costs add up very quickly.
Example Jail Costs
Four years ago, a jail video call cost anywhere from $20-$30. Now that COVID-19 hit, the prices have ironically dropped because people realized exploiting people for essential communication was no longer reasonable.
A kit of ramen costs about $40, despite ramen’s worth of a couple of cents.
A 15-minute phone call can cost $5.
A bond for a minor offense can easily cost hundreds to thousands of dollars.
A bond for major offenses can easily cost thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Every piece of clothing and hygiene item costs money.
Incarceration is a profitable business, and when you’re in jail for a while, sh*t adds up quickly, which is why you have to be prudent in how you divvy up the funds and install a realistic budget to help you and your incarcerated love one weather the storm, whether it’s a short stint or a long stint.
Most people with average income are unable to add $200-$500 to their monthly budgets to afford incarceration expenses.
How to make your loved one’s jail stay as comfortable as possible
You don’t have to be in jail to realize that the accommodations are not luxurious or as enjoyable as the outside world; it’s not supposed to be comfortable, which should prevent people from coming back. However, many correctional institutions take the lack of accommodations too far and treat their incarcerated population like animals. To help your loved one have a slightly better stay, money and resources will need to come into play.
If you’re struggling to find resources to pay for things such as a jail tablet, commissary, phone calls, video calls, eMessaging, kits (i.e., kits usually include snacks, food, hygiene, and other products), obtaining additional income resources will be pivotal.
The best way to ensure you can afford incarceration costs, your best option is to get a part-time gig or even a raise at your current job.
Most are very aware of part-time opportunities (a few are listed below); there are genuinely endless part-time gig opportunities that you will often find more enjoyable than your current gig.
Uber/Lyft
eCommerce
Overtime
Blogging/Publishing
Investing
Other part-time work
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What to do financially if you’re in jail for the long-haul
I wrote an article on how to become a millionaire if you’re in jail or sentenced/convicted for an extended period. There is hope for you financially. You only need a few things:
Created passive or consistent income either before or after entering the incarceration system.
Have contacts outside of prison to help distribute and invest their funds.
Continue reading the article here to dive into the details of how to come out of incarceration loaded and independent, which is unusual for convicts.
If you can find a way to pay your way in jail instead of enlisting your family and friends to pick up the slack, you’ll be loved, supported, and appreciated even more.
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This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.