Can Inmates in the Hole Still Send and Receive Mail?

Yes. Being placed in the SHU, also known as segregation or the hole, does not cut off mail. Inmates in disciplinary or administrative segregation can still send and receive letters. Mail is one of the few things that continues uninterrupted regardless of disciplinary status at most facilities.

Phone access is more restricted. Inmates in the SHU are typically limited to one call per week in most facilities, compared to the broader access available in general population. Some facilities allow slightly more, others allow less, depending on the reason for the placement and the facility's specific rules.

Visitation may also be affected. Contact visits are often suspended for inmates in segregation, and any visits that are permitted may be conducted through a partition rather than in the general visiting area.

If your family member has been placed in the SHU, keeping letters going is the most reliable way to stay connected during that period. It is also one of the most meaningful things you can do, since the isolation of segregation makes outside contact more valuable, not less.