the place my guy is at there is a limit but I think it varies from place to place. I can call but they will only tell me if there is a positive balance. they won't telll me how much.. I'm sorry you haven't heard from him. I hope that everything is ok. I would write and write and ask him to call if he can... good luck to you!

my guy allowed to have 500 on his account at a time and I cannot see the balance

I can only give my $140 per month.
As C said keep writing to him let him know you would love a call and check with the prison if there is a limit on how much you can put on also check to see if there on lockdown or not.
I hope you hear from him soon.

My boyfriend is still in reception for at least another 2 months so there is NO phone calls until thats over. I'm not sure why I haven't recieved a letter in 2 weeks but 'm just trying to stay positive and hope everything is ok. I continue to write everyday. I just went a head and put more money on his account hopefully it all works out. Thanks everyone :)

The prisons are pretty slack in sending out the mail.
I hope he gets in touch soon.

In Washington if they have fees and restitution, if you send money that puts their balance over $10 they take over half of it, so if I sent my son $50 he would get less than $25. Therefore, I send exactly $10 a week for the commissary. What sucks is that I pay a $4 fee every time. I don't know how high his balance can be since I'm not willing to send more and let the state take my money. He tells me that $10 a week is plenty.

my daughter is in a federal camp. She is allowed $325 a month and has $25 of it taken for restitution, She is allowed to use $150 of the amount on phone calls. I am unable to see her balance either which is very frustrating. What's up with that?

I called today and was able to verify that he has received the money and they told me he has used some so he is aware that it's there!! There is no limit so that was good to know. He is only allowed to use a certain amount every week. I still haven't heard from hi but I'm hoping to anyday!! This is hard but I can do it. If HE can I can! :)

I'm so happy I got a letter today!! Yay I was so happy. I guess my letters are getting to him all mixed up. He says the mail system stinks!! Thank you all for your advice. I'm thankful for this site :)

You are not able to see his balance (and the state takes 55% in restitution). But if you think he's out of writing materials, you can send him some. There is a limit on how much you can send. 150 sheets of paper max, 40 envelopes max, (don't recall max on sheets of stamps), and only one clear black BIC pen.
If he has sent you a visitor form and you sent it in, it can take awhile to be approved, but once approved you can schedule a no contact visit (visit Kern's website to find out how). That way you can talk to him.
He gets receipts on how much he has on his canteen every month, and gets a receipt when money is placed on his account.

Hope this is helpful

For us is unlimited. ..

Thank you that is super helpful!! I have sent him some paper, envelopes and stamps. I just got the visitor form yesterday. I will send it back ASAP!! It still takes like 6 weeks to get approved I think. I will hopefully get to visit or get a phone call I'm thinking August!! Seems like forever but I will just keep writing in the mean time and hope I can can keep us both feeling positive until then. I can tell by his letter he's kinda frustrated but all I can do is support him and keep letting him know I'm here till the end :)

While he's at Kern, he won't be able to call. He will send you a letter to let you know that you have been approved. I would make several copies of the signed form and send it every couple of weeks. There have been cases where the form has been lost.
It can take upto several months, so don't be disappointed that it's longer than 6 weeks.
In the mean time, he will only be able to write.

Once approved, and if still at Kern, it will be a no contact visit. Once he's transfered to his 'home' prison, he will be able to have contact visits.

I sure hope my copy doesn't get lost! I just mailed it today and I made copies to send in a couple weeks. Thanks for that advice. I'm nervous this waiting game is the hardest and not being able to make sure they received it is even worse! He told me I can visit once he has been there for the 90 days. He may stay there or move he still isn't sure yet what is going to happen. I will be happy with even a no contact visit at this point :). By the time I get to see him it will have been almost 4 months! Seems like forever. I can't wait to just hear his voice at this point.. Thank you for your help.

The only thing that helped me while waiting to get approved was the daily letters. I was lucky and was approved in the 90 days, but I know others who waited much longer, which is why I recommended to keep sending a copy every couple of weeks.

I was so happy to be able to visit him again, and didn't care if it was a no contact, I just wanted to talk to him. I was walking on cloud nine for a couple of weeks when we finally got our first contact visit.