To send mail to an inmate, you need their prison address and must check what items are allowed. Addressing requirements vary, and all incoming mail is inspected. Money can be sent through a prison-approved wire transfer company. Penpal relationships are also an option.
Most prisons allow inmates to accept mail, although items that can be mailed to inmates are usually heavily restricted. To send mail to an inmate, you’ll need their prison address, and you may find it helpful to contact the prison to find out what items are allowed in prison mail, as restrictions vary. If you’re only sending a letter, it can be mailed in a conventional envelope, but if you’re sending additional materials, such as stationery, stamps, photographs, or writing materials, enclose it in a manila envelope and clearly label it for personal mail. Please note that all incoming mail is opened and inspected, and staff will confiscate any prohibited items.
The requirements for addressing prison mail vary depending on where the mail is sent. In general, the first line of the address should include the prisoner’s full name, along with an inmate identification number. Next, the prison name and the inmate’s specific housing block should be listed, along with the city, state or province, and zip code. You should never enclose cash, sensitive items or other valuables, as they will be confiscated.
If you are sending supplies to a prison, make sure they are allowed. You may need to call the prison to find out about supply guidelines, although most prisons allow inmates to receive stationery, pens, stamps, photographs, greeting cards, and news articles or Internet clippings. If you are sending material from the Internet to an inmate, you should cut and paste the material into a document, as some prisons will confiscate documents that include a web address. Also, prison mail may not contain obscene or violent material. If you want to send books, most prisons require the library to mail them directly.
To send money to an inmate, you should use a prison-approved wire transfer company. Most prisons take a percentage of the funds sent to prisons to supplement the state victim’s compensation fund, and the prison will provide more information on this. In general, the amount of money an inmate can receive is also limited, so be sure to ask the prison about the maximum amount you can send. You can also send checks or money orders, but they may take longer to clear as staff will need to process them.
Some organizations offer penpal relationships in prison, so that inmates with few friends on the outside can still have the opportunity to receive mail. Many websites connect people interested in penpals with potential correspondents, and many of these organizations process all penpal mail through a central clearing house, which means the prisoner will not have your address unless you don’t decide to give it. The guidelines for mail sent to penpals are the same as those for regular prison mail.
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