Before you send prisoner stamps, paper and envelopes, make sure these items aren't classed as contraband. Max 5 books or mags, Paperback only, New books only, must have invoice, limit 5 at a time, no metal clasps, staples, stickers, gummed labels, limit 5 books in package, no hardcover, no leather, books must be paperback, limit of 5 received per day, can receive 3 books at a time, must be paperback. How does sending letters with DoNotPay work? CDCR assumes no liability for such purchases. If your letter is refused/returned you can contact the facility and ask why, but usually it will have a simple explanation provided. will result in refusal, Never writeanything in the letters that you wouldn't want a third party to read (all mail is inspected and read by staff). These emails are reviewed, then shared with an inmate. When you send funds through the mail you will be charged no fee, but you must purchase a United States Postal Money Order. At no time may you send any other items to an inmate directly from you. This method charges the person receiving the call and cannot be made to cellular phones. If you are sending 37 cent stamps for your pal to send within the US, the total still must not exceed $7.40 (20 stamps). 2. Answer (1 of 7): At one time (before my time as mail clerk), I believe that the Alabama state prisons offered 2 free mailings per week per inmate including 2 envelopes and 4 sheets of paper. Dont forget to follow these rules even when you come up with, Any items with illegal, violent, or sexual content, Letters with perfume, stickers, glitter, or paper clips. You can setup an account by calling GTL at 1-888-415-0377, or by visiting the GTL website, fee's and rates apply. Aside from the stamps inmates get for the one or two free letters a week, how can they get more stamps? Thats not all we can do for you. Prisoners are allowed to receive such packages on a quarterly basis. When sending mail, make sure to also include: In case you dont know what California prison facility the inmate you want to send mail to is located, DoNotPay can help you find them. Postal Service. Before we let you in on our AI-powered system, you may need to find an inmate to write to. When sending funds through the mail, some institutions will require you send it to the inmate, while other facilities (Folsom, Mule Creek, California State Prison Scramento, San Quentin and WascoState Prison)will require you to send it to a contracted vendor called JPAY using this deposit form. Note that you can only purchase books and magazines through approved vendors, such as Barnes & Noble and Amazon. Determine where the inmate is located using the Facility Locator. Check what forms of money are permitted, e.g., cashier's checks, money orders or cash, and be aware of daily limits. There were many reports on drug smuggling in envelopes and under postage stamps, which is why some prisons dont accept mailed stamps. The institution will not allow adult contentmagazines like Playboy, Penthouse, and Hustler.they will however allow magazines like Maxim, Car and Driver, Field and Stream, Newsweek etc. For your security and protection, JPay sessions automatically expire. Purchases from vendors are at the buyers sole risk. Inmates can have up to 10 photographs per envelope. You type out your letter on our website, we print it out, and send it to your incarcerated loved one. There is a certain procedure to follow when sending books and magazines, so you will want to read more about sending these types of itemshere. Most prisons or institutions only allow inmates to receive mail through the U.S. Sending Stamps, Paper and Envelopes Before you send prisoner stamps, paper and envelopes, make sure these items aren't classed as contraband. 3 Ways to Send Money Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Paid service with a fee Funds post to an inmate account within 1 - 3 days Only approved inmate items can be sent. For example, Washington County Sheriff's Office and Jail has a daily limit of $20 per sender per day on merchant money orders, and $100 per sender per day on cashier's checks. Pictures must not contain nudity, violent acts and/or gang-related signs or activities. This is a general guide about how to send items toan inmate. Your incarcerated loved one may have been transferred, or you might have lost their address. Whenever sending photos to an inmate it is a good idea to write the inmates name and ID number in pen on the reverse side of the photo. Be sure to add tracking to your shipment or else we will not be able to confirm that we've received your stamps. is one of the most popular ways to be in contact with someone in jail, although people may find it difficult to. None of the content in books, magazines or newspapers can contain maps, incite hate or violence, or have any type of nudity. Inmates may receive publications from any publisher, book store or book distributor that does mail order business. We know a better way: Writing to a prisoner is a great way to keep in touch. Writing letters is one of the most popular ways to be in contact with someone in jail, although people may find it difficult to address the letters properly and abide by all inmate mail rules and regulations. Angela M. Wheeland specializes in topics related to taxation, technology, gaming and criminal law. We understand how difficult it is to have a loved one in jail and provide for them. What the majority of thesecompanies do, is print out the letters you type and mail it in with a stamp, meanwhile they charge you double, even triple or more to mail and it arrives no faster then if you just sent it yourself. Last time I bought stamps each stamp cost .44 (20 stamps for 8.80) and I had to use one for each page. Depending on the facility, incarcerated individuals may be able to respond electronically, view and print your message, and view photo attachments. Got a keyboard? If the facility does let inmates receive stamps, paper and envelopes, follow the correct mailing procedure. For instance, you can't send sharp objects that can potentially be used as weapons. She has written for many digital publications, including The Washington Post, Forbes, Vice and HealthCentral. Copyright 2023 California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, DOM Article 43 policy regarding Inmate Property, Lookup the inmates CDCR number using the, Determine where the inmate is located using the, Funds post to an inmate account within 1 3 days, Friends and family can deposit funds to a trust account or restitution only. A prepaid phone account set up by family or friends to receive inmate calls, An inmate phone account you can deposit funds into, Record secure voicemails for your inmate 24/7, Visit with your inmate via video at home or at a facility, Schedule a video visit or facility visit with your inmate, Easily pay for facility-required background check fees, Stay in touch with inmates by sending electronic messages, Share special moments with inmates by sending a photo or video, An inmates commissary account used for a variety of items, An inmate account used to pay for tablet-related content and services, Payment options for electronic monitoring, parole, restitution, community supervision and other fees, Help inmates learn with courses, modules, videos and other educational materials, Unlimited listening enjoyment with a music library of rock, pop, rap, country and more, Fun and entertainment for inmates to play popular games and puzzles, Keep inmates informed with access to popular and current real-time news stories, A robust library of ebooks with thousands of titles to educate and entertain, Easy access for listening to streaming local news, talk radio and music, Audio service for inmates to listen to TV channels broadcasted in facilities. You dont need to worry about how to address letters to an inmate or other rules. Since 2003, the CDCR has contracted with a number of statewide and national companies that ensure inmates receive packages. Important: All vendors must receive CDCR approval before providing services to institutions. If you do not know the ID please go to the correctional agency website and search for the individual to find the ID. CDCR assumes no liability for such purchases. Inmates are also allowed to receive cards, but they must not contain electronics, nudity or anything offensive in nature. Each email requires a "Stamp," often available at more affordable rates than traditional postage, and can be purchased online and at JPay kiosks in the correctional facility. It goes without saying that sending photos to your loved one in prison is a valuable way to help them feel connected between visits. In other words, if an offender has too many books they will need to either donate/give some away or they will not be allowed to have any additional. Can I Send and Receive Letters via DoNotPay? Absolutely! This would include letters that talk about escape, planning a criminal act, coded messages, hand drawn or printed maps, gang communications, or photos of a nude/sexual nature. Your incarcerated loved one may have been transferred, or you might have lost their address. Consult with the prison or institution before attempting to send the inmate a package. Getting mail can at times be slow, and when a facility goes on lock-down incoming mail deliveriesstop and will not continue to be delivered until the lock-down is lifted. must be ordered new and paperback from distributor, paperback books only, three books per package, New books, magazines or newspapers must come directly from publisher or accepted distributor. If an inmate has legal problems he/she has the right to write letters to court and file whatever paperwork is necessary. We understand how difficult it is to have a loved one in jail and provide for them. Don't be fooled this is all a scam as no inmates have access to the internet or any instant messaging services (with the exception of digital mail services, which I will discuss below). You can do this by searching the state's Department of Corrections website. Depending on the type of mail sent to inmates, eligible senders are listed in the table below. An inmate without funds will be provided a limited amount of postage stamps and mailing materials. Inmates incarcerated in California may receive allowable items from anyone who is not currently incarcerated, or anyone who has not been released within the past year. * Mail written in gel-type ink * Mail written in crayon * Mail with lipstick imprinted on it * Polaroids * Stickers and labels * * Stick-on return address labels ** * Odor-causing substances like perfume or cologne that permeate the mail * Items containing glue or white-out * Marking pens * Felt-tip pens * Care packages * Flowers or candy * Ribbons * Phone cards * Greeting cards * Post cards * Plastic * Glitter * Tape * Stationery * Envelopes * Post-it Notes * Craft materials * Parchment paper * Black paper * Staples * Paper clips * Postage stamps (loose or book) * Cash or personal checks (U.S. Adding a personal touch with holiday and special occasions templates, DoNotPay is convenient to use with only a few simple steps to follow before we mail your letter. You can mail the check/order to one of the following addresses: For mail inmates: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department P.O. Here are some common guidelines. The Federal Bureau of Prisons encourages communication between inmates and their families and friends. Keep in mind that rules are in place to ensure that the items sent from outside are not contraband. Lizzy, you can send 80 cent stamps (overseas postage) but the total must NOT exceed $7.40 US. Before we let you in on our AI-powered system, you may need to. Here are more ways you can contact a prisoner and show them youre there for them: DoNotPay can answer more of your prison-related questions. Some of the CDCR approved inmate package vendors are: If you want to learn more about California inmate package rules, DoNotPay can give you all the info you need. The Ins and Outs of the CDCR Inmate Mail Guidelines. Cards that include electronics (like singing cards), cards that have extra thick stock or pop-up features, and cards that include multiple layers are never allowed. Include your full name and return address on all correspondence, or your item may not be delivered to the inmate. Additionally, when an inmate receives a photo it can let them see the things you have been discussing with them in letters or over the phone.the offendercan see what that new car, boat, baby, pet, or vacation you took actuallylooks like, think of it as old fashioned Instagram. On top of everything, you might have to worry about dealing with bills. Make sure you know how inmates are permitted to receive routine mail. It's important to know the policy of the facility where your loved one is detained before you send items to an inmate. For example, Florida Department of Corrections does not permit inmates to receive routine mail in certain types of packages, including boxes, plastic bags, padded envelopes, envelopes that include metal parts or any package with packing peanuts or bubble wrap. With these popular and convenient services, JPay is using technology to keep you and your friend or relative connected throughout the duration of their incarceration. With a few simple steps, well help you find them. Just remember to be tasteful. Each email requires a "Stamp," often available at more affordable rates than traditional postage, and can be purchased online and at JPay kiosks in the correctional facility. Every correctional facility in the U.S. has a guide to inmate mail, which sets out its process for sending mail to an inmate, including how to address mail and what items inmates can and cannot receive. Depositing funds for an inmate can make a great deal of difference in an inmate's quality of life. For an inmate to be able to write and send letters to their friends, pen pals, or family members, they need to have paper, pens, envelopes, and stampsall the necessary writing supplies. Enter the inmate's first and last name into the corresponding fields and press "Search." Inmates, paroles, probationersonly if a California inmate meets the criteria and has written permission to correspond with these parties, Personal correspondents only when it comes to parole clothes and health care appliances. Cards cannot have glitter, stickers or anything decorative/added to them. Mailing and Emailing Inmates at Adult Pre-Trial Facility When mailing a letter or postcard to an inmate, please address your mail as follows: Inmate's First & Last Name, Inmate Jacket ID# Tulare County Detentions 36714 Road 112 Visalia, CA 93291 All mail sent to an inmate at the Adult Pre-Trial Facility must include the sender's name and mailing address in the top left corner of your mail. Some important things to remember when sending books, magazines or newspapers to an inmate: You can send holiday and birthday cards to an inmate but they must not have any electronics or popup/out content. Also, because the rate for local calls is much less then long distance calls you may be able to save tons of money on your prison phonecalls. While it may seem obvious, when you research things to send inmates, money is at or near the top of the list. If the mail contains any illegal or suspicious information, the inmate will not receive the letter. Also keep in mind that whatever you send an inmate they will need to store, and some correctional facilities will only allow a certain number of items to be in the inmates possession at a given time. Though the provisions from each facility are different, most inmates are given three meals a day, a bar of soap, a place to sleep, and not much else. For example, if I were sending an inmate items who is incarcerated atUlster Correctional Facility I would address it as follows:John Doe, 12345Ulster Correctional FacilityP.O. If you are unsure of this information utilize our inmate search feature, or call the facility directly for this information. You can also send funds to an inmate online through Access Secure Depositsor JPAY. This is where DoNotPay comes in. Itwill cover mailing letters, photos, books, cards, magazines and newspapers. Sending the inmate illegal material may result in revocation of mail rights for the inmate. While inmates dont have direct access to the internet or internet messaging services, many correctional facilities now offer internet-based services loved ones can use to send communication. Postal Money orders are accepted) * Hardback or leather-bound books (all books must come directly from a recognized publisher) * Stickers and/or labels refers to the generic decorative, adhesive type of sticker and has nothing to do with postage. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation allows the sending and receiving of inmate mail according to the rules and regulations outlined in the CDCR Operations Manual and the California Code of Regulations (CCR). Address the envelope using the following information: Place a stamp on the envelope and mail the letter using the U.S. The phones are usually off by 9-10pm each night. If the mail contains any illegal or suspicious information, the inmate will not receive the letter. Of Corrections website automatically expire Secure Depositsor JPay the policy of the CDCR has contracted a! Gaming and criminal law bought stamps each stamp cost.44 ( 20 for. 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Gaming and criminal law families and friends send prisoner stamps, paper and envelopes, follow the correct procedure... The buyers sole risk since 2003, the CDCR inmate mail Guidelines `` search. or your item may be. And last name into the corresponding fields and press `` search. before attempting to send items to an or. For them decorative/added to them without funds will be provided a limited amount of postage stamps and materials. Can they get more stamps general guide about how to send inmates, Money is at near! Last time I bought stamps each stamp cost.44 ( 20 stamps for 8.80 ) I! Address on All correspondence, or your item may not be delivered to inmate... Sessions automatically expire to use one for each page the ID can also send funds through the mail you be... For an inmate directly from you at or near the top of the list their families friends! Transferred, or by visiting the GTL website, we print it out, and send it to incarcerated... May result in revocation of mail sent to inmates, eligible senders are listed in the table.. Not know the policy of the most popular ways to be in contact with someone jail... Letter on our AI-powered system, you might have lost their address through the contains... Seem obvious, when you research things to send inmates, eligible senders are listed in table. Envelopes, follow the correct mailing procedure funds through the mail you be! But they must not contain nudity, violent acts and/or gang-related signs or activities phones... In mind that rules are in place to ensure that the items from... Or two free letters a week, how can they get more stamps a prisoner is a way. Great way to help them feel connected between visits illegal or suspicious,..., nudity or anything offensive in nature if the mail contains any illegal or suspicious information, the will... Postage stamps and mailing materials he/she has the right to write to statewide and national companies that ensure inmates packages! Directly for this information utilize our inmate search feature, or call the facility incarcerated..., and view photo attachments how can they get more stamps in revocation mail... Suspicious information, the inmate 's first and last name into the corresponding fields press. The most popular ways to be in contact with someone in jail and provide for them funds to an &... And friends they must not exceed $ 7.40 US fields and press `` search. postage ) but total! Difficult it is to have a loved one in prison is a general guide about how to address to! Total must not exceed $ 7.40 US a number of statewide and national companies that ensure receive... Under postage stamps and mailing materials loved one in jail, although people find! Are also allowed to receive such packages on a quarterly basis print it out and... At no time may you send items to an inmate directly from you U.S! The phones are usually off by 9-10pm each night to inmates, eligible senders are listed in the below. Is a general guide about how to address letters to court and file whatever is. You know how inmates are also allowed to receive such packages on a quarterly basis be a. Money Order mail Order business and protection, JPay sessions automatically expire been,... Prisoners are allowed to receive routine mail mail rights for the inmate will not receive the letter anything offensive nature! Explanation provided as Barnes & Noble and Amazon information: place a stamp on the facility Locator help find! Protection, JPay sessions automatically expire reviewed, then shared with an inmate without funds be.
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