they are sent via the USPS and are received in the mailroom before being handed out at "mail call".

Not advisable. The jails and prisons are cracking down on "hand-made cards" because they have discovered the ingenious ways letter-writers are introducing drugs in the ink. The dried ink, one licked will activate the drug. The feds are onto this and will not allow "homemade cards". InmateAid has a solution, we have postcards and greeting cards that ARE allowed and will get your message across to your inmate. 

The reply depends on the inmate

Let us know and we will resend it. They don't always forward the mail, and by resending it we ensure your loved one will definitely get it.

2-3 days, once in the mailroom it's up to the staff to hand it out at mail call, usually the same day it's received.

No, there are no lists where female inmates can communicate with male inmates. Any contact or communication attempts between inmates are strictly prohibited. There are, however, services where an inmate can post his name and personal info to prospective pen pals. These are women wishing to write inmates but are not inmates themselves.

There are no restrictions on incoming postal mail

yes, the cards are prison-approved and are in the pre-stamped format

YES! exactly!!

Yes, they can receive a family photo. No, they cannot receive a Hallmark card... BUT, the prisons DO accept Greeting Cards from InmateAid that are delivered on a jail-approved postcard. Choose from 100s.