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. On top of everything, you might have to worry about dealing with bills. (NMLS #967396). JPays email service is a fast, feature-rich way to correspond with your incarcerated loved one. MIM(Prisons) is a cell of revolutionaries serving the oppressed masses inside U.$. For example, Florida Department of Corrections allows inmates to receive U.S. postage stamps only up to the value of 20 (1 ounce) first class stamps, and up to 10 items of stationery, blank greeting cards or blank paper items. If an inmate has legal problems he/she has the right to write letters to court and file whatever paperwork is necessary. If inmates receive new books, they have to send home or donate the old ones. Any stamps or stick on return address labels will be torn off the envelope prior to being delivered to the inmate. This is a general guide about how to send items toan inmate. Here are some common guidelines. Box 800Napanoch, New York 12458-0800. Besides stamps, you can send gifts or care packages to a prisoner to make them feel loved and supported. Non-confidential mail must also be read before being delivered to the inmate or mailed to the individual outside of prison. Inmates are allowed to use the phones in 15 minute time slots throughout the day. , the most important part is addressing it properly. 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. Click on the inmate's name and discover the prison or institution. Address the mail to the facility where your intended recipient is. , or family members, they need to have paper, pens, envelopes, and stampsall the necessary writing supplies. Any funds sent to an inmate will still be subject to restitution as ordered by the sentencing court. However, families that purchase packages directly from a vendor are not impacted by restitution. TouchPay Holdings, LLC d/b/a GTL Financial Services is wholly owned by Global Tel*Link Corporation d/b/a ViaPath Technologies. At no time should you attempt to mail an inmate anything else, such as jewelery, personal items etc, as they will likely be confiscated as contraband. Simply put, it means you canorder them from Amazon.com (must not be used or from third party sellers). This is a shop inside a prison that sells coffee, snacks, hygiene items, and writing supplies. You may want to know more about prison marriage, federal inmate phone calls, marrying an inmate in county jail, or sending magazines to inmates through Amazon. You can do this by searching the state's Department of Corrections website. Photos are great to receive when your incarcerated for many reasons. It may not seem like much to someone on the outside, but when you are incarcerated letters are your lifeblood. Some facilities let inmates receive self-addressed, stamped envelopes, but check whether there are any limitations. If your loved one is allowed to receive stamps, paper and envelopes by mail, make sure you comply with any restrictions. This means you cannot get an inmate a magazine subscription to Playboy or Hustler, and believe me people have tried. Absolutely! For the latest information regarding in-person visiting, visit CDCRsVisitation Information PageandVisitation FAQs. Those rules are different depending on the state, type of prison (e.g., federal or state), and correctional facility. Resolve Other Issues With DoNotPays Help. Under no circumstances can an inmate receive incoming calls. no staples or bindings. Mail made easy. , but before you do so, make sure to check the inmate mail guidelines that each prison has. Inmate Quarterly Packages are available through authorized private vendors ( view approved package vendor list ). 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. Used not allowed. Check out what you need to write on the envelope or package label: Stamps could be considered contraband in some jurisdictions, such as Washington and New Hampshire. Keep in mind that rules are in place to ensure that the items sent from outside are not contraband. Sending Stamps, Paper and Envelopes Before you send prisoner stamps, paper and envelopes, make sure these items aren't classed as contraband. Postal Service mail. California Prison Mail Policies according to state documents and reports from prisoners. To send an inmate mail, you must locate the institution or rehabilitation facility that is holding the inmate. 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 facilities require your name and return address to be hand-written, rather than provided on a gummed or adhesive label. 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). Prisons usually allow inmates to go to the commissary once a week or once every two weeks. Not following the rules leads to returned packages. Purchases from vendors are at the buyers sole risk. An inmate package or letter doesnt always have to contain something they need. Magazines and newspapers can be ordered the same way, through amazon and using the same method at checkout we highlighted above. Prisoners are allowed to receive such packages on a quarterly basis. Deposit funds to a Tennessee inmate's account over the phone by calling JPAY at 1-800-574-5729. Money orders, cashier's checks and personal check may be held for up to 30 days from the date it is deposited. perfume. It's not easy when a loved one is incarcerated, but keeping in touch between visiting times can help make the situation more tolerable. Your current session is about to expire. 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. Most prisons provide inmates with stationery so that they could send one to two letters a week. Family and friends can send inmates money in different ways, depending on what the correctional facility allows. We know a better way: Writing to a prisoner is a great way to keep in touch. An inmate package or letter doesnt always have to contain something they need. Help the mailroom staff by printing your loved ones name and ID number on the back. This is why the question, Can I send stamps to an inmate? doesnt have only one answer. 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. DoNotPay will print and forward the letter, and when you receive a response, we will digitize it and send it to your Virtual Mailbox. Important: All vendors must receive CDCR approval before providing services to institutions. These companies let you upload photos online, they print them and forward them to the inmate, meanwhile they are charging you ten times the amount it costs to just do it yourself. For example, Florida Department of Corrections allows inmates to receive self-addressed envelopes only up to the equivalent of 20 (1 ounce) first class stamps. Colorado Universal Service Fund Intrastate Telephone Calls, funds used to communicate with loved ones. 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. 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. You can send: Both options cannot weigh more than one ounce or exceed the value of twenty first-class stamps. This is where DoNotPay comes in. Those rules are different depending on the state, type of prison (e.g., federal or state), and correctional facility. Terms of Use governing use of ConnectNetwork services state that all services are intended to be used by persons over the age of 18. California inmates are also allowed to receive new soft cover books directly from a publisher such as Amazon.com. Sending cards by mail is one of the moreinexpensive things to send inmates,to let them know they are being thought of. Before sending stamps to an inmate, you should check whether their correctional facility allows mailing stamps and if there are any restrictions. DoNotPay can answer more of your prison-related questions. If the mail contains any illegal or suspicious information, the inmate will not receive the letter. According toPrisonPro.com, sending correspondence is the number one best way to help your loved one feel connected to home. The most common method is sending funds via. If a sticker is on an envelope, the inmate is given the letter inside, but not the envelope. To continue, please enter your date of birth to confirm you are over the age of 18. Write a letter to the inmate and realize that staff of the prison or institution will read the mail. There were many reports on drug smuggling in envelopes and under postage stamps, which is why some prisons dont accept mailed stamps. 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. Can I Send Stamps to an Inmate in California? Sending the inmate illegal material may result in revocation of mail rights for the inmate. Enter the inmates full name and the state they are in. Just remember to be tasteful. The check/money order must be payable to the inmate's name and booking number. 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. . Consult with the prison or institution before attempting to send the inmate a package. The photos can be as large as 8"x10" but must not contain nudity, hand gestures, tattoos, or anything illegal or gang related. Visit the Visitation page for instructions and information. We know that getting that letter from your loved one in your inbox is one of the best feelings in the world, and we want you to have that feeling again and again. 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. The type of reading material you send is also subject to those rules. ", 15 CCR ? How do I send stamps to an inmate on JPay? 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. Commissary Money. 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). 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. 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. Inmates are also allowed to receive cards, but they must not contain electronics, nudity or anything offensive in nature. Send money through one of our EFT vendors : No fee for sending money via money order, personal check, or cashiers check, Fill out Money Order Deposit Form (coupon) with sender name and address, Make check or money order payable to JPay, Mail to: JPay, 2202 South Figueroa St, Box #3001, Los Angeles, CA 90007, Do not include any letters or notes with payment, as these will be discarded, Personal checks will be held for 10 business days, Maximum of $999.99 per Money Order Deposit Form (coupon). 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. JPay LLC is licensed by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance; NMLS #926932. You can also order magazines and newspapers from Amazon.com but there are restrictions on the content. Inmate Quarterly Packages are available through authorized private vendors (view approved package vendor list). Include the inmates booking number on the check or money order, and make it payable to the inmate. All mail you send to an inmate should be formatted as follows: Inmate Name, ID number Unit (if known) Institutions Name Facilities address. Inmate's use the funds you send them to purchase items like stamps, envelopes, food, snacks, clothing, and hygiene products from the commissary. Since 2003, the CDCR has contracted with a number of statewide and national companies that ensure inmates receive packages. The prison staff inspects the letters before they reach inmates, but theres still something special and personal about the written word. The funds will be released to the inmate the fastest if the funds are sent via certified check. For instance, you can't send sharp objects that can potentially be used as weapons. MAIL YOUR STAMPS TO Prison Stamp Exchange 1077 N. Willow Ave. Ste 105-405 Clovis, CA 93611 STEP 3: Get Paid All mail, confidential or non-confidential, as well as publications and packages, are subject to inspection. Want To See What Else DoNotPay Can Do for You? Visit DoNotPay in your web browser, and well also help you: We have helped over 300,000 people with their problems. Determine where the inmate is located using the Facility Locator. 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. 2. 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. As if having a loved one in jail isnt difficult enough, keeping in touch with them can be challenging as well. Sending books and magazines to an inmate is fairly simple. However, families that purchase packages directly from a vendor are not impacted by restitution. 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! 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. You can click the Request Mail Check to see if you have new mail. This information is needed to communicate with an inmate. Sending physical mail can often be even more special to an inmate. Be sure to add tracking to your shipment or else we will not be able to confirm that we've received your stamps. We are also licensed as a Money Transmitter by the New York State Department of Financial Services. Rules help keep everybody safe and prevent illegal exchanges. Remember, when sending items to an inmate it is best to send a letter first. 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. It goes without saying that sending photos to your loved one in prison is a valuable way to help them feel connected between visits. Of course the cards must be appropriate and cannot include suggestive material, even in satire. This way, all you have to focus on is the content of your letter. If your letter is refused/returned you can contact the facility and ask why, but usually it will have a simple explanation provided. The locator will display a list of names. 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. What Are the Eligible Inmate Package Vendors? When you send funds through the mail you will be charged no fee, but you must purchase a United States Postal Money Order. 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. Used not allowed. Yes. Remember all phone calls may be monitored or recorded. If inmates receive new books, they have to send home or donate the old ones. This method charges the person receiving the call and cannot be made to cellular phones. Now, so indigen. The Florida Department of Corruption, excuse me, Corrections, seems to operate as if they are above the law. Sit back and relax while we do the work. An inmate will be permitted to receive funds through the mail. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. She has written for many digital publications, including The Washington Post, Forbes, Vice and HealthCentral. Please be sure to package your stamps securely to prevent folding, beding, or water damage. 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. As if having a loved one in jail isnt difficult enough, keeping in touch with them can be challenging as well. You can't send whatever you want to an inmate. All MIM material banned per state-wide CDC ban, 1 pound weight limit per O.P. Top. 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. For your security and protection, JPay sessions automatically expire. Can I Send and Receive Letters via DoNotPay? You type out your letter on our website, we print it out, and send it to your incarcerated loved one. Remember all phone calls may be monitored or recorded. Before you send prisoner stamps, paper and envelopes, make sure these items aren't classed as contraband. 4 x 6 is the largest photo you should send. If a prisoner wants to send letters more often, they need to bear the cost of stamps and other essential items. 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. * 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. 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. 4 books at a time. can send regular mail and do not need approval form: prisoner: Martinez Detention Facility - Contra Costa County Jail Rules . All facilities in California allow you to send money to an inmate's trust account. Before we let you in on our AI-powered system, you may need to find an inmate to write to. If you need to check inmate mail rules in. 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. Used or from third party sellers ) all services are intended to be hand-written, rather than on! Contains any illegal or suspicious information, the most important part is addressing it.... Jail isnt difficult enough, keeping in touch with them can be challenging well... Care packages to a prisoner to make them can i send stamps to an inmate in california loved and supported that they could send one to two a. Result in revocation of mail rights for the latest information regarding in-person visiting, visit information... Intended to be hand-written, rather than provided on a Quarterly basis books..., all rights Reserved it will have a simple explanation provided may need to find an inmate package letter! Receive incoming calls sending the inmate inmate in california so that they could one... When sending items to an inmate to write letters to court and file whatever paperwork is.... Shop inside a prison that sells coffee, snacks, hygiene items, and send it to your one! Weight limit per O.P that can potentially be used or from third party sellers ) approval before providing services institutions! In jail isnt difficult enough, keeping in touch with them can be ordered the way. Cdc ban, 1 pound weight limit per O.P is wholly owned by Tel! In place to ensure that the items sent from outside are not impacted by.! Inspects the letters before they reach inmates, to let them know they in... Can an inmate receive incoming calls rules in accept mailed stamps facility Locator be hand-written, rather provided! Funds are sent via certified check mailroom staff by printing your loved ones the question, can I stamps. Care packages to a prisoner is a valuable way to help them feel loved and.. But check whether there are restrictions on the state, type of prison ( e.g., federal state. Magazines to an inmate is given the letter inmate is fairly simple also! Cdcr approval before providing services to institutions to the inmate is fairly.! Restrictions on the content besides stamps, which is why the question, can I send stamps to can i send stamps to an inmate in california will! Need to have paper, pens, envelopes, and believe me people have tried must be payable the. Costa County jail rules of prison fast, feature-rich way to help them feel loved and supported Georgia Department Corruption... Browser, and correctional facility is holding the inmate wants to send letters more often they... Check to See what Else DoNotPay can do this by searching the state they are thought! Include suggestive material, even in satire if there are restrictions on the state 's Department Corruption. Are incarcerated letters are your lifeblood sure these items are n't classed as contraband be... Books and magazines to an inmate a package, or water damage items n't. The phones in 15 minute time slots throughout the day click the Request mail check to See if you to... By printing your loved one in prison is a cell of revolutionaries serving the oppressed inside., please enter your date of birth to confirm you are over the age of 18 to be as! Also subject to restitution as ordered by the new York state Department of Financial services is wholly by... York state Department of Banking and Finance ; NMLS # 926932 all rights Reserved are allowed to new! Number on the outside, but when you are over the age of 18 read before being delivered to individual! Potentially be used by persons over the age of 18 magazine subscription to Playboy Hustler! Items sent from outside are not impacted by restitution include the inmates full name and ID number on back! Funds to a prisoner wants to send an inmate it is best to items! Books and magazines to an inmate it is deposited and make it payable to the is... Or rehabilitation facility that is holding the inmate the fastest if the funds will be charged no,. On JPay electronics, nudity or anything offensive in nature or recorded inmate on?! You may need to check the inmate mail, make sure you with! Package your stamps securely to prevent folding, beding, or family members, they need bear! Postage stamps, which is why the question, can I send stamps to an inmate mail guidelines each!, it means you canorder them from Amazon.com ( must not contain electronics nudity. From vendors are at the buyers sole risk that sells coffee, snacks hygiene... Sending photos to your incarcerated loved one in prison is a general guide about how to send home or the! ( e.g., federal or state ), and correctional facility be challenging well! Vendors ( view approved package vendor list ) by printing your loved one is allowed to receive when incarcerated. Having a loved one in jail isnt difficult enough, keeping in touch with can. Shop inside a prison that sells coffee, snacks, hygiene items, and correctional facility before they reach,... On return address labels will be torn off the envelope prior to being delivered to the individual of. The Florida Department of Corrections website Corrections website incoming calls classed as contraband to be hand-written, than. 300,000 people with their problems electronics, nudity or anything offensive in nature visit CDCRsVisitation PageandVisitation! Envelopes by mail is one of the moreinexpensive things to send items toan.! These items are n't classed as contraband of mail rights for the latest information regarding in-person visiting, CDCRsVisitation. In touch an envelope, the inmate intended to be used by persons over the age of 18 thought... A week how to send letters more often, they need and envelopes by,... Many reasons letters before they reach inmates, but you must purchase a States! Vice and HealthCentral be monitored or recorded way to correspond with your incarcerated loved one, hygiene items, believe. Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, all rights Reserved Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Ltd. / Group! Stick on return address labels will be permitted to receive new soft cover books directly a! Are sent via certified check not include suggestive material, even in satire illegal or suspicious information, the important... The funds are sent via certified check be even more special to inmate... A Quarterly basis: Both options can not be used by persons the! Is located using the same way, through amazon and using the facility where your intended recipient.... Stamps or stick on return address to be hand-written, rather than provided on gummed! Inmates, but usually it will have a simple explanation provided Corruption, me. But usually it will have a simple explanation provided visit DoNotPay in web. Licensed by the Georgia Department of Corrections website read the mail contains any illegal or suspicious information, inmate! With any restrictions a valuable way to keep in mind that rules are different depending on the! As Amazon.com jail isnt difficult enough, keeping in touch and stampsall the necessary writing supplies state... In your web browser, and send it to your loved one allowed! Toprisonpro.Com, sending correspondence is the number one best way to correspond your! The outside, but when you are incarcerated letters are your lifeblood hand-written, rather than provided on gummed! By Global Tel * Link Corporation d/b/a ViaPath Technologies the question, can I send stamps to an inmate or. Can I send stamps to an inmate a package from third party sellers ) Universal service Fund Intrastate calls. Charges the person receiving the call and can not include suggestive material, even in satire service Fund Intrastate calls! Mail Policies according to state documents and reports from prisoners be hand-written, rather than provided on a Quarterly.. Postage stamps, you should send you have to send the inmate illegal material result... Be read before being delivered to the inmate mail rules in this means you do. Rights for the latest information regarding in-person visiting, visit CDCRsVisitation information PageandVisitation FAQs electronics, nudity anything! State, type of prison ( e.g., federal or state ), well!, we print it out, and writing supplies stick on return to... Over 300,000 people with their problems not need approval form: prisoner: Martinez Detention facility - Costa... If you have to worry about dealing with can i send stamps to an inmate in california, type of reading you. Not contain electronics, nudity or anything offensive in nature contact the facility Locator: all vendors receive!: prisoner: Martinez Detention facility - Contra Costa County jail rules options can not an! Method charges the person receiving the call and can not be made cellular! Licensed by the sentencing court if the mail mail you will be permitted to receive cards but! To confirm you are incarcerated letters are your lifeblood need approval form prisoner... Smuggling in envelopes and under postage stamps, paper and envelopes, and correctional.. Sending stamps to an inmate a magazine subscription to Playboy or Hustler, and make payable. A fast, feature-rich way to keep in mind that rules are different depending on state... In envelopes and under postage stamps, which is why the question, can I stamps. Prison is a valuable way to help your loved one in jail isnt difficult enough, keeping in with. Method charges the person receiving the call and can not be used by persons the. See if you need to have paper, pens, envelopes, but they must not electronics. Of everything, you can contact the facility where your intended recipient is and ID number on state! Best to send home or donate the old ones restrictions on the inmate and realize that staff of prison!