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
The restrictions on the type of photos that will be allowed inside the facility are ones where there are no private parts exposed (bikini, lingerie are permissible), no drugs or alcohol in the picture, no gang depictions and they are also sensitive to pictures of young children. If you can keep it somewhat wholesome, they will all get through - sending sexy pictures are fine as long as it's covering enough of you.
Read moreit takes anywhere from a day to a week. it depends on where it is and how the staff treats incoming mail (inspection time, etc).
Read morePlease send us the new location (aid@inmateid.com) and we will make the change to your inmate's profile and resend the letter at no charge.
Read moreYes, they can write you back through InmateAid. They would use our return address. Upon receiving a letter from your inmate, we scan it into youy account and notify you that it is there for your review.
Read moreNo. Sexually explicit letters are not contraband nor forbidden. Sexually explicit pictures are. Sexy pictures where the private parts are covered are acceptable, exposed private parts are not.
Read moreNo, unless they are related and are granted permission.
Read moreThe mail is sent immediately following your order unles it is on the weekend when the post office is closed. If you have the correct location and inmate ID number, your inmate will receive their mail.
Read moreUsually there are no limits, there are some places that have limits. Where are you inquiring about and we will check to see if there are any restrictions?
Read moreLetters are processed immediately upon entry unless after 3pm on Saturday, those letters will process Monday morning. We estimate that it takes 2-3 business days to make it to the jail. Once there, the staff opens and reads each piece of mail and inspects it for contraband. Once they decide the mail is fit to be handed out at mail call, your inmate will receive it. Any delay that occurs at the facility is out of our control. We make
Read moreInmates do not have internet access. Our service converts your message into a printed letter and gets to your inmate through the US Mail. Inmates may write you back to your address or to ours. If they send it to InmateAid, we scan it into your account and email you of it's there.
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