Send Inmate Mail — Ask the Inmate
A letter from home arriving at mail call is one of the most powerful moments in an incarcerated person's day. It is proof that someone on the outside is thinking about them, that life is continuing, and that there is something worth coming home to. But sending mail to a correctional facility involves rules that vary by institution and mistakes can mean your letter never arrives. This section covers how to address mail correctly for federal and state facilities, what the mailroom screening process looks like and how long it adds to delivery time, what content is and is not permitted in letters, how to send photos and why sending them through InmateAid's service is more reliable than printing and mailing them yourself, how to send mail from outside the United States, and what the InmateAid return letter service does for inmates who want to write back. The guidance here makes sure every letter you send reaches its destination. See also our sections on Inmate Care Packages, Send Books and Magazines, and Inmate Phone Calls.
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You can, however, the prison mailroom staff might not allow the inmate to receive it. The best way (by the rules) is to have it come in through Attorney Mail (legal mail). The staff cannot deny the inmate their legal documents.
Read moreYou cannot send stamps or other stationery to an inmate in a federal facility. These items must be bought at the commissary. Indigent inmates may receive these items at no charge, provided they have no money deposited into their trust account for a period of time.
Read moreYou MUST affix a stamp to any letter being sent into a federal prison or any facility. None of them accept US Mail and pay the postage, you have to.
Read moreUsually within 2-3 days, provided that there are no hold-ups in the mailroom by the prison's staff
Read moreYou can contact him by writing. Inmates cannot receive incoming calls
Read moreyes, eyeglasses are permitted
Read moreIt's a very good question, you'd think that it would keep them calm. I would have loved to get pics like that. BUT, as you already know, they will send them back. We have people try every day to send nude pictures but they never get through... to ANY facility.
Read moreAbsolutely, 100% as long as you have the correct facility name and the inmate's ID number
Read moreThis happens from time-to-time as inmates get moved and people make mistakes. The jail staff most likely will not forward the mail, they will send it back. If this happens simply contact our customer service reps (aid@inmateaid.com or 866-966-7100) and they will make the correction for you and resend your entire order at NO CHARGE. You don't need a reason, just let us know what the new location is and we will resend it.
Read moreVery easy do to from your phone - Click here
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