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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We have a lot of active members who write the celebrity inmates often... you'd be surprised at the number of responses that get mailed back through our system. From OJ Simpson, Aaron Hernandez (deceased now), the Menendez brothers, R Kelly, Meek Mill, Kodak Black, and Jodie Arias to crypto scammer Sam Bankman Fried and many more.
Read moreYes to both questions and neither is as complicated as it might seem. Writing to an inmate you have never met is perfectly acceptable and happens more than most people realize. Pen pal relationships between inmates and people on the outside who found them through inmate pen pal directories, advocacy organizations, or personal research are common and in many cases genuinely meaningful for both parties. There is no requirement that you have a prior relationship with someone before sending
Read moreThere is the cost of the supplies (stamps, paper, envelopes, etc.) PLUS the cost of your time makes the third-party option feasible. Either way, the cost is very similar, and people like our service because it provides a layer of security as your address is not displayed.
Read moreSend him a postcard, it is the most direct and reliable method. Write your phone number clearly at the top of the letter so it is the first thing he sees when he opens it. Mail moves through the postal service and goes through the mailroom, but a letter with your contact information is perfectly acceptable to send and there is nothing the facility can refuse about it. Once he has the letter in hand, he has your number.
Read moreActually, it's cheaper than that! For the 9-Letter and 8-Picture Packages, the total is only $16.00. That is why we have these packages, to help save money and budget yourself through the entire bid
Read moreIt will get forwarded by the prison
Read moreWe have a letter service that does just that. Our offices are in Florida so the mail gets there in one day
Read moreYes, they have to buy stamps. The facility gives them pencil and paper for free and if the inmate is indigent, they can get the stamps for free, too
Read moreRalo, also known as Terrell Davis is currently incarcerated at the Hazelton USP Satellite Prison Camp. His release date is October 8, 2023... If you want to write Ralo, click here. Even though the facility is on lockdown, the mail still flows.
Read moreWe used to do single postcards at $0.99 each but the cost of printing, postage, and the fee the credit card company charges ended up costing more than what we charged. We decided that the $8 multi-card package (10 postcards) was the only way to do it. We've been around since 2012 and the postcard/holiday greeting card package is one of our best sellers.
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