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
Letters sent through InmateAid are delivered via USPS and typically arrive at the facility within 2 to 3 business days. However arrival at the facility and arrival in your inmate's hands are two different things and understanding the difference will help set realistic expectations. The mailroom process Every piece of incoming mail at a correctional facility is opened and read by mailroom staff before it reaches the inmate. This is standard procedure at every facility in the United
Read moreAll letters and photos are delivered daily by US Mail. It will take one or two days but please be mindful that the prison staff will open every piece of mail for contraband. Therefore, the actual delivery date that it makes it to mail call depends solely on the prison staff.
Read moreWhen you send a letter through InmateAid, you will receive confirmation in your account when the letter has been processed and mailed through the US Postal Service. That notification lets you know it has been sent out, but there is no way to confirm the exact moment the inmate receives it. Delivery depends on the facility’s mailroom processing times, which can vary. Inmates do not receive e-letters electronically. All messages sent through InmateAid are printed and delivered as physical
Read moreIf you have researched the inmate's name in the Inmate Locator and there is no ID #, you may send the letter without the number. There are some facilities that do not have numbers for their inmates.
Read moreInmateAid letters are sent the same day they are created by you via US Mail. The letters/photos are delivered to the inmate at mail call a day or two after posting. Please be mindful that the staff inside the prison opens every letter for contraband which may delay the actual delivery.
Read moreInmateAid prints and delivers the mail into the prison location corresponding to your inmate. The service is delivered to the inmate at mail call a day or two after you create it in the Write Letters/Send Photos service.
Read moren most cases, your letters will still be delivered even if you did not include the inmate’s ID number. Mailrooms understand that people on the outside do not always have complete information, and they will usually make a reasonable effort to match the name on the envelope to the correct inmate. If the name is spelled correctly and the facility is not extremely large, there is a good chance your letters reached him. Mail is considered an important connection
Read moreAt Leavenworth Detention Center, you do not need to be on an approved list to send mail to an inmate. Friends, family, and even general correspondence can be sent as long as it follows the facility’s mail rules. Approval lists typically apply only to visitation and phone calls, not regular mail. That means you can send letters, photos, and approved items without going through a pre-approval process. Keep in mind that all incoming mail is opened and inspected by staff
Read moreFor most people, using InmateAid to send mail is easier and more convenient than going through the US Postal Service. You can write and send letters directly from your phone or computer without needing stamps, envelopes, or a trip to the post office. The letter is printed and mailed for you, which saves time and helps avoid common mailing mistakes that can delay delivery. Traditional mail through the US Postal Service works just fine too, especially if you
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