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
Inmates that have money on their inmate trust accounts can purchase stamps and envelopes at the weekly commissary. If they do not have money on their books, the prison will provide indigent inmates with all the materials necessary to send out mail to their loved ones. If your inmate writes to you directly, using your address, the cost of the mailing is a 49 cent stamp. Many of our members use the Inmate Response Mail service through InmateAid. Your
Read moreThe only reasons that photos get returned is if the staff thinks there is either alcohol, drugs, gang-related or nudity on display in the images.
Read moreSexy pictures are no problem at all. Lingerie and bikini shots are perfectr but no exposed private parts. If you are going to stragetically place your hands, it might be okay, but just stop short of what might be considered pornographic. We understand and highly approve of your enthusiasm to make your inmate hapy (this will do it!), just keep covered and pose as tastefully as possible. Do NOT spay perfume on the envelope, they will likely return the letter.
Read moreThere is no limit to the number of letters an inmate may write or receive. Inmate mail is considered sacred by the prison system. It is highly promoted and even allows indigent inmates unlimited letter writing resources.
Read moreThe Letters from Inmate Service is a pay service ($1.49). We receive the letter from the inmate and scan it into your My Account area - then we email you that it is there. Members that want to keep their own address private use our service to send and receive mail with anonymity. Its convenient, reliable and safe to use.
Read moreIf it is only sexually explicit stories, we want to thank you on behalf of the inmate. This is a really nice thing you are doing. We applaud your efforts and it will make it to the inmate. The only thing that they are scrutinizing in the mail room is if people are communicating about a current criminal case or related to the case that got them incarcerated, business related (not supposed to run a business while incarcerated), threatening language,
Read moreYou may write him at the address you have. You will need his eight digit inmate ID number (xxxxx-xxx). You can use our letter service, it is reliable and convenient. Once you get in touch with him, they use an email system called CorrLinks. It is an internal, closed program that you can login to from corrlinks.com, but he will have to invite you.
Read moreIt is as relaible as the US Postal Service - in fact that is who we use
Read moreWe estimate 2-3 business days. You have to account for possible delays once it gets there, but generally it is VERY reliable.
Read moreplease send us the ID number and we will resend it for oyu at no charge
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