Glossary
What is State Prison?
A facility run by a state department of corrections that holds people convicted and sentenced, usually for felonies.
A state prison is run by a state's department of corrections. It holds people who have been convicted, usually of felonies, while they serve their sentences.
Each state sets its own rules for deposits, commissary, packages and visits. Washington, for example, splits trust accounts into subaccounts, while Oregon ties commissary spending limits to an incentive level system.
State prisons usually identify each person by a DOC number. Search the state's online locator to find where your loved one is held, then check that prison's own rules.
Read more
- Jail Commissary vs. Prison Commissary: What Families Should Know
- How Does Prison Commissary Work? A Plain-English Guide for Families