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Reviewed on: April 15,2026
Send Inmate Mail

Can I prepay to receive inmate replies online?

When i send a letter from here to an inmate can i go ahead a prepay to receive a reply from the inmate and if so how does that work?

Yes, you can set it up so that your inmate’s reply comes back to you online, but it is not a traditional “prepay” like paying for their postage.
Ask The Inmate
Answered by a former federal inmate · 14+ years advising families
✓ Verified answer January 29,2015 · Send Inmate Mail
1

Yes, you can set it up so that your inmate’s reply comes back to you online, but it is not a traditional “prepay” like paying for their postage.

What you are doing is using the InmateAid Response Mail service.

Here is how it works:

  • When you send your letter, the return address is set to InmateAid, not your home
  • Your inmate writes back like normal using regular mail
  • The letter is sent to InmateAid’s address
  • InmateAid scans the letter into your account
  • You get notified and can read it online

The cost, usually about $1.49, is charged to you when the reply is received and processed. The inmate does not pay anything extra beyond a regular stamp, unless they are indigent and provided supplies.

So in simple terms:

  • You are paying for the convenience and privacy of receiving the letter online
  • The inmate is still just sending regular mail
  • There is no way to prepay their postage, only the service that handles the reply

This option is popular because it keeps your home address private and lets you read responses quickly from your account.

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Accepted Answer Date Created: January 29,2015
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About this answer: This response was prepared by InmateAid’s editorial team in consultation with former inmates who have direct experience with the federal correctional system. InmateAid has served families of the incarcerated since 2012. This is general information only — not legal advice. Last reviewed April 2026.