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
The only way you will know if they received it is when they respond, unless the letter is returned to us - in that event we will investigate the reason and notify you of your options. It's rare but sometimes the facility is wrong or the inmate ID is missing. These are all correctable and we do so at no charge.
Subject: Send inmate mail
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 inmate would...
Read moreSubject: Send inmate mail
we do not have selection advice. the site is not engineered perfect for what you are trying to do. you can find an inmate through the news or research that you find interesting or more and then set up an Inmate Profile on our site (or have us do it for you) and them you can start communicating from anywhere, anytime. people often write famous inmates like OJ Simpson, Aaron Hernandez, Jodi Arias and many others.
Subject: Send inmate mail
Yes. 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 inmate...
Read moreSubject: Send inmate mail
The mail is processed immediately upon purchase. We estimate that it takes 2-3 business days to reach the facility mail room. Once there, the staff opens and inspects all postage before deeming them ready for distribution to your inmate at mail call. We mail thousands and thousands of letters with very few problems. If your inmate's ID number and location are correct we are confident that they will receive it.
Subject: Send inmate mail
Your inmate will let you know that they received the mail from you. If there are any problems and the letter gets returned, we investigate the reason and let you know your options. In most cases, a remail will be done at no charge with the correct information that was missing to cause it's rejection.
The mail is processed immediately upon purchase. We estimate that it takes 2-3 business days to reach the facility mail room. Once there, the staff opens...
Read moreSubject: Send inmate mail
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 inmate would...
Read moreSubject: Send inmate mail
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.
Subject: Send inmate mail
it takes anywhere from a day to a week. it depends on where it is and how the staff treats incoming mail (inspection time, etc).
Subject: Send inmate mail
Please 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.
Subject: Send inmate mail
Yes, 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.
Subject: Send inmate mail
No. 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.
Subject: Send inmate mail
No, unless they are related and are granted permission.
Subject: Send inmate mail
The 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.
Subject: Send inmate mail
Usually 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?
