How To Send an Inmate Mail

How to Send Mail to an Inmate in Prison

Sending mail to an inmate is rather easy, as long as you follow a few basic rules and of course the rules of the prison or jail where the inmate is incarcerated. Loneliness is a terrible thing to face every day and your letter or card will really cheer up your inmate. Research indicates that inmates who receive open communication from friends and family have a better chance on making it when they get out of prison.

We'll at first talk about what not to send. Since this being the easiest - you'll also want to consult with the prison or jail to discover for yourself what is and is not allowed. You can use our "Inmate Search" system to pull up info about any prison in the world. If they have a visitor info section it will be listed.

Rule of thumb when sending mail to an inmate: if you think something can be placed within the folds of some letters, cards or gifts then don't bother sending it.

General tips for what NOT to send an inmate:

1. Letters or cards with yarn or ribbon attached
2. Cards that are padded or puffy
3. Laminated greeting cards or ID
4. Maps or detailed information about surrounding prison area
5. Cards or letters in a foreign language
6. Stickers included in letters or on them
7. Metal or spiral bound notebooks or calendars etc
8. Pornography or nude pictures
9. Polaroid photos
10. Cash money
11. Gang material or drawings
12. Alcohol laden items
13. Weapons
14. URLs or website information
15. Books or magazines - these must come from the publisher
16. Other items not allowed by facility

For those items that are typically ok to send to an inmate in prison go to our blog page and view the newer more complete post on what to send and how to send mail to an inmate