", Ban on "receipt, possession, or distribution of literature/publications from the MIM to or by inmates", All MIM Mail being returned unopened as unapproved correspondance, All mail with MIM return address is banned. These services are by far the faster way of sending funds to an inmate, but both will charge a fee to send the money, and you will need to know the inmate's ID number in order to send the funds. Write a letter to the inmate and realize that staff of the prison or institution will read the mail. Even utensils, like forks, can only be made of plastic. Some facilities require your name and return address to be hand-written, rather than provided on a gummed or adhesive label. Almost all institutions will allow inmates to receive books(with the exception of temporary classification and diagnostic institutions), but they stipulate that they need to come directlyfrom the publisher. If your loved one is allowed to receive stamps, paper and envelopes by mail, make sure you comply with any restrictions. Remember all phone calls may be monitored or recorded. Note that you can only purchase books and magazines through approved vendors, such as Barnes & Noble and Amazon. c. Pretrial, Holdover, and Detainee Inmates. All mail is opened and inspected, sometimes read. 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. Those rules are different depending on the state, type of prison (e.g., federal or state), and correctional facility. prisons, guided by the communist ideology of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism. It's truly maddening!! Make sure you know how inmates are permitted to receive routine mail. According toPrisonPro.com, sending correspondence is the number one best way to help your loved one feel connected to home. 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. Global Tel Link, also known asGTL, is a privately run company that is contracted through the California Department of Corrections to provide inmates with a pre-paid calling solution. 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. Remember, when sending items to an inmate it is best to send a letter first. Besides the fact that it is a rip-off, it really takes the best part out of receiving a letterIt may be hard to understand, but when an inmate receives a letterthat ispenned by hand it is much more personal, and can give the sense of a connection to whomever is writing the letter. If at anytime you are unsure of what you can send, contact the facility over the telephone using the numbers provided on our site. Used not allowed. This is a shop inside a prison that sells coffee, snacks, hygiene items, and writing supplies. An inmate is not allowed to receive contraband items unless these are authorized by the facility. Be sure to add tracking to your shipment or else we will not be able to confirm that we've received your stamps. Well shed some light on how inmates can get a hold of stamps and how their friends and family can help them. If you need to check inmate mail rules in. You can click the Request Mail Check to see if you have new mail. 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. 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. The locator will display a list of names. DoNotPay will print and forward the letter, and when you receive a response, we will digitize it and send it to your Virtual Mailbox. Postal Service. CDCR assumes no liability for such purchases. Pictures must not contain nudity, violent acts and/or gang-related signs or activities. Commissary Money. Family and friends can send inmates money in different ways, depending on what the correctional facility allows. 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. If inmates receive new books, they have to send home or donate the old ones. 3190(i)(7) "All publications, including books and subscriptions to periodicals, subject to section 3006. If they are used they will be rejected. Read More: How to Contact an Inmate. This method charges the person receiving the call and cannot be made to cellular phones. May 1, 2012 - 10:19pm. California inmates are also allowed to receive new soft cover books directly from a publisher such as Amazon.com. One of the big scams out there that I have been noticing is various "Inmate Service" companies that claim you can contact your inmate online, or send them a message through their website. Check Out the CDCR Inmate Mail Guidelines. For the most part these are the only items that can be mailed to an inmate (with the exception of Holiday packages). You will need to make the check payable to the inmates full name and ID number and include your complete name and return address. 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. Important: All vendors must receive CDCR approval before providing services to institutions. Since 2003, the CDCR has contracted with a number of statewide and national companies that ensure inmates receive packages. This is where DoNotPay comes in. Click on the inmate's name and discover the prison or institution. Dont forget to follow these rules even when you come up with creative mail ideas for inmates: One of the ways to contact an inmate is to send letters. Inmate's use the funds you send them to purchase items like stamps, envelopes, food, snacks, clothing, and hygiene products from the commissary. Determine where the inmate is located using the Facility Locator. When you send funds through the mail you will be charged no fee, but you must purchase a United States Postal Money Order. Studies have shown that inmates who kept close contact with their loved ones had better chances of adapting to life upon release, as well as fewer chances of reoffending. If you want to visit an inmate or send them mail but dont know how to find an inmate, DoNotPay has all the tools you need to easily locate them! Mule Creek State Prison will allow used books to be purchased by inmates if the used books are purchased and mailed directly from a book store, distributor, or publisher. Cards can be emotional and powerful ways to stay connected with your loved one, especially if you are able to send them for no reason. JPays email service is a fast, feature-rich way to correspond with your incarcerated loved one. According to Washington County Sheriff's Office and Jail, if an inmate receives contraband items, those items will be returned to the sender, confiscated until the inmate is released from custody, destroyed, or confiscated as evidence in a criminal investigation. Most prisons provide inmates with stationery so that they could send one to two letters a week. 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. Address the mail to the facility where your intended recipient is. Consult with the prison or institution before attempting to send the inmate a package. Commissary money can purchase basic necessities like: Choosing healthy meals in prison is possible, but supplementing prison meals can help an inmate stay healthy and enjoy eating. Inmate Quarterly Packages are available through authorized private vendors ( view approved package vendor list ). This is why the question, Can I send stamps to an inmate? doesnt have only one answer. In most cases, a guard will open and inspect mail in the presence of the inmate. Inmates who are found to be indigent and cannot afford stamps and envelopes will receive 5 stamped envelopes per month, and will be given more if the outgoing mail is legal in nature. JPay's correctional email service is faster than regular mail, with individuals usually receiving emails within 48 hours. Put the inmate's first name and last name followed by the inmate'sID number in the name line of the shipping address (John Doe, 12345). 4 books at a time. Always keep in mind that the correctional staff will read the letter you have sent to an inmate. 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. can send regular mail and do not need approval form: prisoner: Martinez Detention Facility - Contra Costa County Jail Rules . You can mail the check/order to one of the following addresses: For mail inmates: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department P.O. Depositing funds for an inmate can make a great deal of difference in an inmates quality of life. Copyright 2023 California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, DOM Article 43 policy regarding Inmate Property. 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. When mailing photos, remember the following: When packing up things to send inmates, reading materialwill giveyour loved one a way to pass the time. Deposit funds to a Tennessee inmate's account over the phone by calling JPAY at 1-800-574-5729. You can see the list of all the dos and don'ts when sending mail to an inmate in California in the table below. If the inmate is in a federal prison, you can search the Federal Bureau of Prisons website. Many correctional facilities require that they come directly from the publishermeaning they must come from a site likeAmazon. To send money to an inmate first: Lookup the inmate's CDCR number using the Inmate Locator. Prisoners are allowed to receive such packages on a quarterly basis. Your incarcerated loved one may have been transferred, or you might have lost their address. Got a keyboard? 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. 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. In many locations, you can attach a photo to an email, or even record a 30-second VideoGram to send along with your letter. This will help ensure the photos are delivered to the right inmate. Unfortunately, photos are another area that some online companies exploit. The Federal Bureau of Prisons encourages communication between inmates and their families and friends. Wow, so I went to buy stamps again for my account and I got 60 single page stamps for $10. Since 2003, the CDCR has contracted with a number of statewide and national companies that ensure inmates receive packages. Be sure to enterfacility name and the address that inmate mail is received at (which may not be the same as the physical address). CDCR vendor approval is limited to minimum security requirements and general business intent. Itwill cover mailing letters, photos, books, cards, magazines and newspapers. Write a letter to the inmate and realize that staff of the prison or institution will read the mail. Please be sure to package your stamps securely to prevent folding, beding, or water damage. JPays correctional email service is faster than regular mail, withindividuals usually receiving emails within 48 hours. 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. Before we let you in on our AI-powered system, you may need to find an inmate to write to. To see how it works, open DoNotPay in your web browser and do the following: DoNotPay will find your inmate and give you the name of the facility they are currently in. Angela M. Wheeland specializes in topics related to taxation, technology, gaming and criminal law. Using DoNotPay to send letters to prison comes with more benefits, such as: DoNotPay is convenient to use with only a few simple steps to follow before we mail your letter. Inmates can have up to 10 photographs per envelope. The check/money order must be payable to the inmate's name and booking number. Sending an inmate a care package is one of the best ways to support him or her, and make the time more bearable. Depending on the facility, incarcerated individuals may be able to respond electronically, view and print your message, and view photo attachments. Any funds sent to an inmate will still be subject to restitution as ordered by the sentencing court. You can write them love letters, creative ones, or those of encouragement, but before you do so, make sure to check the inmate mail guidelines that each prison has. Read More: Rights of an Inmate in Jail. Non-confidential mail must also be read before being delivered to the inmate or mailed to the individual outside of prison. An inmate without funds will be provided a limited amount of postage stamps and mailing materials. , the most important part is addressing it properly. There were many reports on drug smuggling in envelopes and under postage stamps, which is why some prisons dont accept mailed stamps. Stamps Mackerel : 1.25 Band-Aids : 0.65 (Limit $9.40 Total Value) Summer Sausage 1.55 Ben-Gay Ointment 5.20 Shredded Beef : 5.85 Carmex Lip Treatment 1.70 Book of Forever Stamps 9.40 Spam 1.25 Chapstick 3.70 Book of 10 - .01 0.10 Beef Bites 2.30 Prilosec Omeprazole 10.50 . You can't send whatever you want to an inmate. If a sticker is on a letter, the letter is returned to the sender. MAIL YOUR STAMPS TO Prison Stamp Exchange 1077 N. Willow Ave. Ste 105-405 Clovis, CA 93611 STEP 3: Get Paid All MIM material banned per state-wide CDC ban, 1 pound weight limit per O.P. Sending cards by mail is one of the moreinexpensive things to send inmates,to let them know they are being thought of. No used books. Yes, up to 40 stamps per envelope. Aside from the stamps inmates get for the one or two free letters a week, how can they get more stamps? 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. We know a better way: Writing to a prisoner is a great way to keep in touch. Besides stamps, you can send gifts or care packages to a prisoner to make them feel loved and supported. Detention facility - Contra Costa County Jail rules one best way to correspond with your incarcerated loved is. 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