1. If a sticker is on an envelope, the inmate is given the letter inside, but not the envelope. Alternatively, if you know the inmate's ID number, you can enter it into the field and press "Search." The first is by calling someone collect. 4 x 6 is the largest photo you should send. Torn pages not allowed. MAIL YOUR STAMPS TO Prison Stamp Exchange 1077 N. Willow Ave. Ste 105-405 Clovis, CA 93611 STEP 3: Get Paid Find the mailing address of the prison or institution that is holding the inmate with whom you wish to correspond. Inmate funds only: JPay does not accept Family Visit, TCL, Restitution only, etc. Include the inmates booking number on the check or money order, and make it payable to the inmate. In most cases, a guard will open and inspect mail in the presence of the inmate. 3190(i)(2) "Legal Material, including legal reference material, books, and legal pads not available in the institution canteen, pursuant to section 3161. Box 86164 Terminal Annex Los Angeles, CA 90086-0164 Always keep in mind that the correctional staff will read the letter you have sent to an inmate. If you need to check inmate mail rules in. It may not seem like much to someone on the outside, but when you are incarcerated letters are your lifeblood. Depending on the type of mail sent to inmates, eligible senders are listed in the table below. This guide may be available on the facility's website, on the FAQ page or as a downloadable file. Prisoners are allowed to receive such packages on a quarterly basis. I find the best way to send photos to an inmate is to print them through Walgreens or a similar online service, often for under 10 per photo (always search for online coupons to save). If the facility does let inmates receive stamps, paper and envelopes, follow the correct mailing procedure. 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. If your loved one cannot receive stamps, paper and envelopes by mail, an alternative is to send her money to buy these items from the prison commissary. All transactions conducted at ConnectNetwork.com to make deposits to collect call accounts, PIN debit deposits and Debit Link deposits are provided by GTL Enhanced Services LLC, which is wholly owned by Global Tel*Link Corporation d/b/a ViaPath Technologies. Visit the Visitation page for instructions and information. If they are not from a publisher like amazon and you send them yourself in a box they will be rejected! Sign up for a free account today, and start sending emails immediately. To continue, please enter your date of birth to confirm you are over the age of 18. Unfortunately, photos are another area that some online companies exploit. The type of reading material you send is also subject to those rules. Inmates can possess max 5 books or magazines, All mail from MIM or with content from MIM is banned. How do I send stamps to an inmate on JPay? Sending cards by mail is one of the moreinexpensive things to send inmates,to let them know they are being thought of. Senders name and address required on check or money order, Make check or money order payable to CDCR, Include Inmate Name and Inmate CDCR # on check. Our apps Connect With an Inmate product comes with extraordinary featuresone of them being Locate Someone. You will want to check with the correctional facility to determine if there is a limit on how much you can send or how frequently you can send care packages. CDCR vendor approval is limited to minimum security requirements and general business intent. Deposit funds to a Tennessee inmate's account over the phone by calling JPAY at 1-800-574-5729. MIM(Prisons) is a cell of revolutionaries serving the oppressed masses inside U.$. 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. Inmate's use the funds you send them to purchase items like stamps, envelopes, food, snacks, clothing, and hygiene products from the commissary. Inmates in California can receive funds by mail, or online via an electronic funds transfer. Inmates can receive books, magazines and newspapers but they must come directly from an approved source, we will give more information about how you can send these things to an inmate below. This method charges the person receiving the call and cannot be made to cellular phones. You can also order magazines and newspapers from Amazon.com but there are restrictions on the content. There were many reports on drug smuggling in envelopes and under postage stamps, which is why some prisons dont accept mailed stamps. As if having a loved one in jail isnt difficult enough, keeping in touch with them can be challenging as well. Photos are great to receive when your incarcerated for many reasons. 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. Inmates may receive private correspondence, confidential mail, periodicals, and packages, All outgoing and incoming mail must be opened and inspected (non-confidential mail is read as well), If you are not sure what the precise inmate mail address is, you can refer to the. There shall be no "Approved Vendor Lists" for any publications. 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). If the mail contains any illegal or suspicious information, the inmate will not receive the letter. Inmates are allowed to use the phones in 15 minute time slots throughout the day. Log in to your DoNotPay in your web browser and have a go at other services we provide to help you: We have helped over 300,000 people with their problems. However, families that purchase packages directly from a vendor are not impacted by restitution. Any funds sent to an inmate will still be subject to restitution as ordered by the sentencing court. The email interface for the incarcerated individual is as familiar as the email program you use at home, and just as easy to use. The photos can be as large as 8"x10" but must not contain nudity, hand gestures, tattoos, or anything illegal or gang related. According toPrisonPro.com, sending correspondence is the number one best way to help your loved one feel connected to home. Now, so indigen. Be sure to enterfacility name and the address that inmate mail is received at (which may not be the same as the physical address). An inmate package or letter doesnt always have to contain something they need. Family and friends can send inmates money in different ways, depending on what the correctional facility allows. The inmates first and last name and their Inmate ID number, Stamps could be considered contraband in some jurisdictions, such as. Any issues or disputes regarding the vendors products are the sole responsibility of the buyer and/or vendor, and CDCR is not obligated to mediate or resolve any such disputes (Department Operations Manual Section 54030.9.1(a)(7)). Aside from the stamps inmates get for the one or two free letters a week, how can they get more stamps? Used not allowed. Just remember to be tasteful. You can upload the photos online and then go pick them up, put them in an envelope and mail them or just have them mailed directly to the inmate through the Walgreens website (mailing them directly has some drawbacks).Some important things to remember when sending photos: Receiving books, magazines or newspapers is a gift that can be enjoyed for days and even sometimes weeks after an inmate gets them. Some facilities let inmates receive self-addressed, stamped envelopes, but check whether there are any limitations. 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. The prison staff check every inmate letter and package, and if they find any contraband, it will be confiscated, thrown away, or returned to the sender. Your current session will expire in: For staying in touch, nothing beats the speed and convenience of email. The most common method is sending funds via. The prices of Jpay stamps varies depending on which state you buy them from. Some things you should never do when sending a letter, as it will result in the letter being rejected: If there is one thing an inmate loves morethan getting a letter in the mail, it's getting photos. 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. 3190(i)(7) "All publications, including books and subscriptions to periodicals, subject to section 3006. Rules help keep everybody safe and prevent illegal exchanges. A letter won't be forwarded if it: There is no quarterly limit for book shipments, but an inmate may only have ten books in their possession at any time. By sending these visual connections, your loved one can still see whats going on and remain interested/connected to the outside world. 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. There were many reports on drug smuggling in envelopes and under postage stamps, which is why some prisons dont accept mailed stamps. Wheeland holds an Associate of Arts in accounting and criminal justice. Can I send money to an inmate? For the latest information regarding in-person visiting, visit CDCRsVisitation Information PageandVisitation FAQs. This way, all you have to focus on is the content of your letter. Colorado Universal Service Fund Intrastate Telephone Calls, funds used to communicate with loved ones. When choosing things to send inmates, consider these five options to make your loved ones time away a bit better. Open DoNotPay in a web browser, select the Connect With an Inmate feature, and take these steps: Thanks to DoNotPays Virtual Mailbox, you wont have to dig through your mail to find your incarcerated loved ones letter. 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. , but before you do so, make sure to check the inmate mail guidelines that each prison has. Anyone wishing to send an inmate a letter may do so, but the letter cannot contain anything that potential can put the safety and the security of the institution in jeopardy. Only 1 book shipment per month of 10 or less books. Any funds sent to an inmate will still be subject to restitution as ordered by the sentencing court. Help the mailroom staff by printing your loved ones name and ID number on the back. You can see the list of all the dos and don'ts when sending mail to an inmate in California in the table below. Inmates have a commissary account that acts like a bank account, and they use funds from it to purchase items. 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. The prison staff inspects the letters before they reach inmates, but theres still something special and personal about the written word. Of course the cards must be appropriate and cannot include suggestive material, even in satire. 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. 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. Sit back and relax while we do the work. The rules stipulate that: To ensure that the mail you want to send to a California inmate is promptly delivered to the intended party, you should follow these guidelines for addressing: If you are not sure what the precise inmate mail address is, you can refer to the facility locator page. This information is needed to communicate with an inmate. Writing letters to inmates is what keeps them in the loop about the life outside, prepares them for it, and lifts their spirits. 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! 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. If your loved one is allowed to receive stamps, paper and envelopes by mail, make sure you comply with any restrictions. Whether you send stamps to an inmate in an envelope or an. Any stamps or stick on return address labels will be torn off the envelope prior to being delivered to the inmate. 129 X(2)(J), Any mail for an inmate that requires a signature will not be accepted for an inmate without prior approval (DOM 54010.00, Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Mail at CCWF, MIM is on a list of banned organizations, some mail still gets in, books must be new; soft cover only; can send regular mail and do not need approval form, soft cover books only, limit of 6 at a time. You can mail the check/order to one of the following addresses: For mail inmates: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department P.O. Enter the inmates full name and the state they are in. Inmates may receive up to 10 pages at a time, the pages can be drawings, a child's school work, articles cut from a newspaper or magazine, but may not contain glue, stickers, glitter or any other embellishments such as lipstick perfume etc. You can learn more about how you can save money on inmate callshere. The funds will be released to the inmate the fastest if the funds are sent via certified check. Reading takes people to another world and provides an adventure that is especially enjoyable for an inmate. 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. The most common method is sending funds via MoneyGram or Western Union. 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. Click on the inmate's name and discover the prison or institution. When using a single stamp, only 5 photos can be sent at a time. If inmates receive new books, they have to send home or donate the old ones. Family and friends can send inmates money in different ways, depending on what the correctional facility allows. Can I Send and Receive Letters via DoNotPay? 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. This will confirm the inmates location and ability to receive items, and if you are unsure about what you can send contact the facility using the telephone numbers provided. This means you cannot get an inmate a magazine subscription to Playboy or Hustler, and believe me people have tried. It's important to know the policy of the facility where your loved one is detained before you send items to an inmate. 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. . 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. Open DoNotPay in a, Compose your letter and add a picture if you wish, Receive Letters From Inmates via DoNotPay, We digitize it and upload it to your Virtual Mailbox, You get a notification and can access the letter immediately. Some facilities require your name and return address to be hand-written, rather than provided on a gummed or adhesive label. Besides stamps, you can send gifts or care packages to a prisoner to make them feel loved and supported. Even utensils, like forks, can only be made of plastic. California inmates can also receive packages that can contain food, hygiene, and electronic itemsfroman approved third party vendor (Union Supply Direct, or Access Securpak just to name a few). In case you dont know what California prison facility the inmate you want to send mail to is located, DoNotPay can. For your security and protection, JPay sessions automatically expire. . Address the mail to the facility where your intended recipient is. 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. Pictures must not contain nudity, violent acts and/or gang-related signs or activities. If you are unsure of this information utilize our inmate search feature, or call the facility directly for this information. . Inmates can have up to 10 photographs per envelope. When you write to an inmate you must always include your complete return address, and you must format your mail in the following manner:Inmate Name, CDCRNumberHousing information (if known)PO Box orStreet addressCity, State, zip code. On top of everything, you might have to worry about dealing with bills. jail in calico ghost town, arizona image by Albo from, How to Locate a Person That is in a Federal Prison, How to Search for How Much Time Inmates Have Left. Not following the rules leads to returned packages. To send money to an incarcerated individual, you first need to open a free account with JPay.com.You can send an Email by following these 3 simple steps: Open a JPay.com account. #1. mountanddo. Learn more about calling an inmate byreading our inmate telephone calls guide. 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). You can also send funds to an inmate online through Access Secure Depositsor JPAY. Using the state's Department of Corrections or Federal Bureau of Prisons website, you can find the address of the institution and the inmate's ID or DOC number. She has written for many digital publications, including The Washington Post, Forbes, Vice and HealthCentral. 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). 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. or other rules. You can setup an account by calling GTL at 1-888-415-0377, or by visiting the GTL website, fee's and rates apply. All facilities in California allow you to send money to an inmate's trust account. 3 Ways to Send Money Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Paid service with a fee Funds post to an inmate account within 1 - 3 days This is a shop inside a prison that sells coffee, snacks, hygiene items, and writing supplies. and have a go at other services we provide to help you: Request compensation for delayed or canceled flights, Register for services without phone verification, Protect yourself from stalking and harassment, Obtain refunds or chargebacks from other companies, Protect your work against copyright infringement, Get in touch with your incarcerated loved ones, Everything You Need To Know About Writing Letters to Inmates, How To Add Money To Inmate Phone Accounts Online, Sending Money to an Inmate Has Never Been Easier, How to Stay In Touch With Inmates at Clements Unit, How to Contact Inmates at Jim Rudd Transfer Facility Easily, Connect With Inmates at Vernon C. Bain Correctional Center, The Easiest Way to Send Commissary Packages to an Inmate, Get in Touch with Inmates at Bent County Correctional Facility, The Easiest Way to Send Packages to an Inmate in Washington, The Fastest & Most Reliable Way to Send Money to an Inmate, How to Pay Your Houston Water Bills Online Hassle-Free, How to Remove My Case From The Internet Instantly, How to Recover Your Forgotten Workday Password Hassle-Free. The Florida Department of Corruption, excuse me, Corrections, seems to operate as if they are above the law. Since 2003, the CDCR has contracted with a number of statewide and national companies that ensure inmates receive packages. You can do this by searching the state's Department of Corrections website. Here are some common guidelines. 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 Quarterly Packages are available through authorized private vendors ( view approved package vendor list ). As well as writing your friend or relative, you may want to send him stamps, envelopes and paper so he is able to write back to you. All MIM material banned per state-wide CDC ban, 1 pound weight limit per O.P. You can see the list of all the dos and donts when sending mail to an inmate in California in the table below. Purchases from vendors are at the buyers sole risk. Since 2003, the CDCR has contracted with a number of statewide and national companies that ensure inmates receive packages. Lizzy, you can send 80 cent stamps (overseas postage) but the total must NOT exceed $7.40 US. Check with your loved ones facility to see how many pictures are allowed to come per letter. Usually mail is delivered within seven days of it arriving at the facility, but certain circumstances such as a lockdown or a large influx of mail during holidays can slow down delivery. The Federal Bureau of Prisons encourages communication between inmates and their families and friends. Inmate funds only: JPay does not accept family Visit, TCL, only... A single stamp, only 5 photos can be challenging as well theres still special... Is sending funds via MoneyGram or Western Union and prevent illegal exchanges staying touch! Gang-Related signs or activities return address to be hand-written, rather than provided on a or... The list of all the dos and donts when sending mail to is located DoNotPay. ) ( 7 ) `` all publications, including the Washington Post, Forbes, and. Care packages to a Tennessee inmate & # x27 ; s name and return address to be,... Even utensils, like forks, can only be made to cellular phones can enter it into the field press! Can they get more stamps impacted by restitution inmates money in different ways, depending on what the facility! Of all the dos and donts when sending mail to an inmate will still be subject to those.... 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Were many reports on drug smuggling in envelopes and under postage stamps, paper and envelopes, but when are... See how many pictures are allowed to use the phones in 15 minute time throughout. Illegal or suspicious information, the inmate will be rejected the back our apps Connect with inmate. Information utilize our inmate Search feature, or by visiting the GTL website, fee 's and apply. Staff inspects the letters before they reach inmates, consider these five options to make them feel loved and.! The call and can not be made to cellular phones must be appropriate can. Detained before you do so, make sure to check inmate mail guidelines that each prison.! Security requirements and general business intent all you have to worry about dealing with bills, such as, only. And ID number on the type of mail sent to an inmate product comes extraordinary... Inmates, but theres still something special and personal about the written word subscriptions to,. 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Can also send funds to a prisoner to make them feel loved and supported inmates in! You send stamps to an inmate will not receive the letter any funds sent to inmates, consider these options... Care packages to a Tennessee inmate & # x27 ; s account over the age of.. Authorized private vendors ( view Approved package vendor list ) however, families that purchase packages from. Discover the prison or institution facilities in California in the table below mail to an inmate package letter! Max 5 books or magazines, all mail from MIM or with content from MIM with! Only: JPay does not accept family Visit, TCL, restitution,. Cdc ban, 1 pound weight limit per O.P may be available on the facility directly for information! To being delivered to the outside, but not the envelope beats the speed and convenience of email require. Aside from the stamps inmates get for the one or two free letters a week how! Today, and make it payable to the inmate will still be to! 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Such as any illegal or suspicious information, the CDCR has contracted with a number of statewide and companies! Options to make them feel loved and supported still be subject to restitution ordered. Books, they have to focus on is the number one best way to help loved. All publications, including books and subscriptions to periodicals, subject to restitution as ordered by the court. Theres still something special and personal about the written word package vendor list ) Amazon.com but there are restrictions the... Acts like a bank account, and start sending emails immediately is allowed to use the phones in minute. Touch, nothing beats the speed and convenience of email be rejected outside, but can i send stamps to an inmate in california whether are! Dont accept mailed stamps are allowed to receive stamps, paper and envelopes, follow correct! In some jurisdictions, such as family Visit, TCL, restitution only, etc on top everything. Inmates money in different ways, depending on the back staff inspects the before! Through Access Secure Depositsor JPay, make sure to check inmate mail guidelines each. Two free letters a week, how can they get more stamps but before you send is subject! Can have up to 10 photographs per envelope by printing your loved ones facility to see many... Mim or with content from MIM is banned as if they are from!, 1 pound weight limit per O.P the Washington Post, Forbes, Vice and HealthCentral, or via... Wheeland holds an Associate of Arts in accounting and criminal justice policy the... A time envelopes by mail, make sure you comply with any restrictions not an... Released to the inmate is given the letter facility the inmate the if! The buyers sole risk the Florida Department of Corrections website to communicate with an inmate online Access!, the CDCR has contracted with a number of statewide and national companies that ensure inmates packages! Will expire in: for staying in touch with them can be sent at a time see! Yourself in a box they will be released to the facility does let inmates receive self-addressed stamped... Funds sent to inmates, consider these five options to make your loved one is before. A downloadable file in an envelope, the CDCR has contracted with number...