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.
Related InmateAid Services
Yes, it is 100% reliable
Read moreInmates may not receive calls. They may receive mail or visits, but not a call from you. If you would like to try out postcard service, you can request a coupon via email and we will let you have the first one for free.
Read moreIt is perfectly safe to write an inmate, especially through InmateAid. When you use our service, there is no disclosing your location via return address. All correspondence uses the InmateAid corporate office address. You can write and not worry that the inmate has any personal information other than what you put in the letter.
Read moreThere is no limit to the number of photos that may be sent into most facilities, but since we don't know where your inmate is incarcerated, we would recommend calling the institution first and find out if there are any limits
Read moreYes, inmates may receive Christmas cards, however, the store-bought versions are becoming disallowed as the fancy artwork often includes sparkles and raised lettering that the prisons will NOT allow. InmateAid has made sending Greeting Cards into federal, state and county facilities easy and legit. Go to the holiday selection page and for only $0.99 each, your inmate will have a beautiful card that they will receive at mail-call with your loving message.
Read more2-3 days but remember there could be delays in the facility mailroom that are out of anyone's control. Please be patient as the mail is a little slower during the holiday season.
Read moreIt's sent by regular mail posted from San Francisco. It normally takes 2-3 days to arrive at the facility mail room and the mail is handed out at mail call
Read moreYou will receive an email from us to let you know there is a letter in your account dashboard
Read moreThey will either tell you with a return letter or a phone call.
Read moreMaybe, it depends on the personnel in the mailroom. Normally they don't have to without the ID number but that isnt always the case. IF the mail comes back, we'll fix the error and resend it at no charge.
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