Can an Inmate Without Commissary Funds Still Send Mail?

Stamps in jail and prison commissaries are sold at the standard US Postal Service rate, the same price you would pay at any post office. Envelopes and paper are often available at little or no cost through the facility, though this varies by jail.

If your inmate has no commissary funds at all, it is worth knowing that most facilities have an indigent program that provides a basic allotment of stamps and envelopes to inmates who cannot afford them. The program exists specifically for situations like this. Your inmate should ask their housing officer or case manager about the indigent mail program at Vigo County Jail. Eligibility is typically based on having a commissary balance below a certain threshold, and the allotment is usually enough to send at least a few letters per month.

The easiest way to make sure your inmate can write back is to put a small amount of money on their books. Even a modest amount covers stamps for several letters and removes the uncertainty entirely. InmateAid can help you send money to your inmate if you need a straightforward way to do that.