What Happens if a Jail Switches to Postcards Only?

Some facilities have changed their mail policies to accept postcards only, eliminating standard letters entirely. Hillsborough County Jail in Tampa is one facility that has made this switch. The reason is typically security related. Postcards are easier and faster to inspect for contraband than sealed envelopes, and facilities looking to streamline mail room operations have increasingly moved in this direction.

If letters you sent are not reaching your inmate, a policy change at the facility is one of the first things worth checking. InmateAid monitors facility policies and updates our system when changes are confirmed, but policy shifts can happen without public notice and occasionally get ahead of our records.

When a facility changes its policy and letters cannot be delivered, InmateAid issues refunds for any affected orders. We also update the sending options for that facility so future orders automatically reflect what is currently accepted.

If you are unsure whether your inmate's facility accepts letters, postcards, or both, contact InmateAid before placing an order and we will confirm the current policy. Sending a postcard to a postcards-only facility is straightforward and InmateAid supports that format as well.