Can an Inmate in the US Send Letters to Someone in the UK?

Yes. Inmates can send letters internationally, including to the United Kingdom, the same way anyone sends international mail. A letter written on paper, placed in an envelope, addressed correctly with the full UK address including postcode, and stamped with the appropriate international postage will travel through the regular postal system and arrive in the UK the same as any other piece of international mail.

The practical considerations are on the inmate's end. International postage costs more than domestic postage, and the inmate needs to have sufficient funds in their commissary account to cover it. International stamps can be purchased through the commissary at most facilities, though some smaller jails may only stock domestic stamps. If that is the case, the inmate can ask their counselor or case manager about obtaining international postage.

Delivery time for international mail from the US to the UK typically runs one to two weeks, sometimes faster depending on the postal routing. There is no tracking on standard international letters, so the only confirmation of arrival is when the recipient lets the inmate know it arrived.

For families in the UK who want to write to an inmate in the US, InmateAid's letter service is a straightforward, way less expensive option that handles the printing and mailing on your behalf without requiring a US address or account.