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
Subject: Send inmate mail
All letters sent through InmateAid are printed and mailed via USPS, just like standard mail. Once the letter arrives at the facility, it goes through the jail or prison’s mailroom, where it’s inspected and then delivered to the inmate.
In most cases, your friend will receive the letter without any issues. The only delays that can happen are due to mail processing times or the facility’s internal mail procedures.
It’s very rare for mail to be restricted unless the inmate is under...
Read moreSubject: Send inmate mail
Inmates are not notified ahead of time when a letter is sent. Your letter is printed and mailed through USPS, and then delivered by the facility’s mailroom during regular mail distribution.
Once it arrives at the facility, it’s inspected and handed out to the inmate, so there isn’t a tracking or notification system on their end.
The best way to know they received it is when they respond to your letter or mention it during a call. Your mail will be delivered,...
Read moreSubject: Send inmate mail
Postcards sent through InmateAid are printed and mailed via USPS, just like standard mail. Once they arrive at the facility, they go through the mailroom for inspection and are then delivered to the inmate during regular mail distribution.
There isn’t a notification or tracking system once the mail reaches the facility, so you won’t receive confirmation of delivery.
The best way to know they received it is if they mention it in a call or write back to you.
Subject: Send inmate mail
Mail sent through InmateAid typically arrives at the facility within 2 to 3 business days via USPS. The postal service is remarkably reliable for facility mail and delays at that stage are uncommon.
However arrival at the facility and delivery to your inmate are two different things. Once mail reaches the mailroom it is up to the mailroom officers to decide when it gets distributed to the housing units. That can add a day or two depending on the facility's schedule...
Read moreSubject: Send inmate mail
Writing to an incarcerated person you do not personally know is entirely possible and more common than most people realize. People write to inmates for many reasons including offering support, satisfying curiosity about the criminal justice system, or simply providing human connection to someone who has very little of it.
The most established platforms for finding incarcerated pen pals include Write A Prisoner at writeaprisoner.com and Meet An Inmate at meetaninmate.com. Both maintain directories of inmates who have opted in to...
Read moreSubject: Send inmate mail
This is a fair question and you deserve an honest answer.
InmateAid previously offered single letters for $0.99. The reality of running that service was that the cost of materials, postage, and payment processing made every single letter transaction a losing proposition regardless of volume. Continuing to offer it would have meant either raising the price to a point that felt unfair or absorbing losses that were not sustainable.
The current letter service is offered in packages of 8 letters for $8....
Read moreSubject: Send inmate mail
Sending a letter through InmateAid is designed to be as simple as possible so you can stay connected with your loved one from your phone or computer without needing to print anything, buy stamps, or go to the post office.
Here is how it works from start to finish.
You purchase a letter package through InmateAid. Letters are currently available in packages of 8 for $8. Your letters do not expire so you can use them at your own pace over time.
When...
Read moreSubject: Send inmate mail
The short answer is no. Sending a physical letter always involves some cost whether you send it yourself or through a service like InmateAid.
If you send a letter on your own you need paper, an envelope, and a stamp. First class postage currently costs around $0.68 per ounce. That is the minimum cost of sending any letter through the United States Postal Service regardless of where the facility is located.
If you send through InmateAid the cost is part of a...
Read moreSubject: Send inmate mail
Yes. InmateAid delivers to Rush City Minnesota and to correctional facilities across the entire United States.
Rush City is home to the Minnesota Correctional Facility Rush City, a maximum security state prison operated by the Minnesota Department of Corrections. InmateAid's letter, photo, postcard, magazine, and book services are all available for inmates housed there.
To get started simply create an account on InmateAid, select your inmate's facility, and choose the service you would like to send. Everything is handled from your phone...
Read moreSubject: Send inmate mail
A letter typically takes 2-3 days to arrive at the facility, depending on postal service speed. However, once it reaches the facility, it must go through the prison mailroom for screening, which can add several additional days before it is delivered to the inmate. The total time for an inmate to receive a letter can range from 5 to 10 days, depending on the facility's mailroom processes and workload.
Subject: Send inmate mail
When you send electronic letters or pictures to an inmate at California State Prison, Solano, the delivery process involves several steps:
Transmission to Facility: Electronic messages are typically delivered to the prison within 24 to 48 hours after being sent.
Screening and Approval: Upon arrival, prison staff review the content to ensure it complies with facility regulations. The time required for this screening can vary based on staff workload and the volume of incoming correspondence.
Delivery to Inmate: After approval, the message or...
Read moreSubject: Send inmate mail
There isn't a specific character limit, but the app allows for a two-page, single-spaced letter, which is typically sufficient and offered at a very reasonable price.
Subject: Send inmate mail
Yes, a person can typically send a postcard to an inmate and include their email address or other contact information, as long as it complies with the facility's mail rules. However, there are important considerations:
Facility Policies: Each facility has specific guidelines for inmate correspondence. Ensure that including an email address or contact information is permitted and that it doesn't violate any rules.
Postcard Format: Many facilities require postcards to be of a certain size and material. They often prohibit additional items...
Read moreSubject: Send inmate mail
The members of InmateAid can send and receive letters from their inmates. Yes, InmateAid scans the inmate's letter and places it in the member's account. The member receives an email letting them know there is a letter to retrieve. There is a fee to 'unlock' the letter, it is less than $2. This Service is perfect for overseas communication, it's fast, safe, inexpensive, and reliable since 2012.
Subject: Send inmate mail
2-3 days, but be mindful that the distribution of the mail to the innmates is up to the correctional officers who run the mailroom
