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. Our article gives you a quick tour of the inmate mail rules in California prison facilities. 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. Though the provisions from each facility are different, most inmates are given three meals a . As the family member or friend of someone who has been incarcerated, helping your loved one enjoy the comforts of home however possible is a top priority. 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. If your loved one is allowed to receive stamps, paper and envelopes by mail, make sure you comply with any restrictions. Sending cards by mail is one of the moreinexpensive things to send inmates,to let them know they are being thought of. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Inmates can possess max 5 books or magazines, All mail from MIM or with content from MIM is banned. 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 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. This information is needed to communicate with an inmate. Wheeland holds an Associate of Arts in accounting and criminal justice. Check what forms of money are permitted, e.g., cashier's checks, money orders or cash, and be aware of daily limits. This way, all you have to focus on is the content of your letter. These two combine in a way that you and your correspondent have a unique experienceyou will be sending and receiving emails, whereas they will be handling printed and written letters. Even utensils, like forks, can only be made of plastic. Not Allowed: * Mail containing more than 10 individual photos per letter regardless of how the photos are printed. Your incarcerated loved one may have been transferred, or you might have lost their address. Provides Friends and Family with a variety of support features, including live chat with customer service, submitting support tickets, and keyword content searches. 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 find the inmates facility address by selecting the prison they are in. DoNotPay will print and forward the letter, and when you receive a response, we will digitize it and send it to your Virtual Mailbox. 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. 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. 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. Those rules are different depending on the state, type of prison (e.g., federal or state), and correctional facility. MAIL YOUR STAMPS TO Prison Stamp Exchange 1077 N. Willow Ave. Ste 105-405 Clovis, CA 93611 STEP 3: Get Paid CDCR vendor approval is limited to minimum security requirements and general business intent. An inmate will be permitted to possess a limited quantity of postage stamps. Last time I bought stamps each stamp cost .44 (20 stamps for 8.80) and I had to use one for each page. This is a shop inside a prison that sells coffee, snacks, hygiene items, and writing supplies. Write a letter to the inmate and realize that staff of the prison or institution will read the mail. Please note if you need to lookup the inmate's ID number you can use our inmate search located on each facility page or on our inmate search page here. Can I send money to an inmate? You can click the Request Mail Check to see if you have new mail. Read More: Rights of an Inmate in Jail. 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. This is a shop inside a prison that sells coffee, snacks, hygiene items, and writing supplies. If the inspecting staff disagrees with the morals, values, attitudes, or language of the text, they will still deliver the letter. Learn more about calling an inmate byreading our inmate telephone calls guide. Only approved inmate items can be sent. Its wise to send only soft cover books to avoid having them returned. For the latest information regarding in-person visiting, visit CDCRsVisitation Information PageandVisitation FAQs. 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. Cards cannot have glitter, stickers or anything decorative/added to them. If they are used they will be rejected. We are also licensed as a Money Transmitter by the New York State Department of Financial Services. There shall be no "Approved Vendor Lists" for any legal publications. 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. Non-confidential mail must also be read before being delivered to the inmate or mailed to the individual outside of prison. The first method of sending funds through the mail can be done by sending a certified check,money order, personal check, or cashier's check. . 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). Only 1 book shipment per month of 10 or less books. Consult with the prison or institution before attempting to send the inmate a package. The first is by calling someone collect. 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. However, families that purchase packages directly from a vendor are not impacted by restitution. What does that mean 'from the publisher'? 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. You can do this by searching the state's Department of Corrections website. 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. 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). On top of everything, you might have to worry about dealing with bills. This is why the question, Can I send stamps to an inmate? doesnt have only one answer. Claire is a qualified lawyer and specialized in family law before becoming a full-time writer. The prices of Jpay stamps varies depending on which state you buy them from. If your inmate is not located in the facilities listed above, you can just mail the money order or check to the inmate. Many correctional facilities require that they come directly from the publishermeaning they must come from a site likeAmazon. If the text poses a security threat, your recipient will never get it. 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. Sit back and relax while we do the work. Ordering books for an inmate through Amazon is easy, you just have to make sure that you select ship by USPS and that you ship it to the inmate's mailing address. Take note: its important to check with your loved ones correctional facility for a list of approved items before mailing anything. Photos are great to receive when your incarcerated for many reasons. None of the content in books, magazines or newspapers can contain maps, incite hate or violence, or have any type of nudity. We understand how difficult it is to have a loved one in jail and provide for them. She has contributed to several websites and serves as the lead content editor for a construction-related website. Used not allowed. You will need to make the check payable to the inmates full name and ID number and include your complete name and return address. All MIM material banned per state-wide CDC ban, 1 pound weight limit per O.P. You can setup an account by calling GTL at 1-888-415-0377, or by visiting the GTL website, fee's and rates apply. CDCR assumes no liability for such purchases. All mail, confidential or non-confidential, as well as publications and packages, are subject to inspection. Angela M. Wheeland specializes in topics related to taxation, technology, gaming and criminal law. Be sure to add tracking to your shipment or else we will not be able to confirm that we've received your stamps. Colorado Universal Service Fund Intrastate Telephone Calls, funds used to communicate with loved ones. Box 86164 Terminal Annex Los Angeles, CA 90086-0164 CDCR assumes no liability for such purchases. Simply put, it means you canorder them from Amazon.com (must not be used or from third party sellers). DoNotPay streamlines the process of writing, sending, and receiving inmate letters. 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. On top of everything, you might have to worry about dealing with bills. 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. Consider using best seller lists or speaking with someone at your local book store to help find the right things. 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. 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). 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. For an inmate to be able to write and send letters to their friends. If the inmate is in a federal prison, you can search the Federal Bureau of Prisons website. Aside from the stamps inmates get for the one or two free letters a week, how can they get more stamps? Inmates may receive legal publications from any publisher, book store or book distributor that does mail order business. 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. Sending Stamps, Paper and Envelopes Before you send prisoner stamps, paper and envelopes, make sure these items aren't classed as contraband. 4 books at a time. 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. Prisoners can buy stamps at the prison commissary. SEE ALL APPS >, Deposits to an inmate's trust account, as well as probation, community corrections, and background check payments are provided by TouchPay Holdings, LLC d/b/a GTL Financial Services, which is also the owner and manager of this website. 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)). 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. If the inmate requests the return address from the envelope, the address is torn off and given to the inmate. Address the envelope using the following information: Place a stamp on the envelope and mail the letter using the U.S. . She has written for many digital publications, including The Washington Post, Forbes, Vice and HealthCentral. Some key things about ordering books are they must come NEW, and must be paperback. 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. For your security and protection, JPay sessions automatically expire. We know a better way: Writing to a prisoner is a great way to keep in touch. Dont despairwe can offer you some solutions for managing your water, electric, or medical bills. Want To See What Else DoNotPay Can Do for You? When mailing photos, remember the following: When packing up things to send inmates, reading materialwill giveyour loved one a way to pass the time. You type out your letter on our website, we print it out, and send it to your incarcerated loved one. Terms of Use governing use of ConnectNetwork services state that all services are intended to be used by persons over the age of 18. Wow, so I went to buy stamps again for my account and I got 60 single page stamps for $10. DoNotPays Connect With an Inmate service facilitates contact with your prison pen pal in a way that does not disturb your daily routine. If you need to check inmate mail rules in Texas or inmate package regulations in Alabama, Nevada, or Florida, DoNotPay is your go-to for all the answers you may have! is one of the most popular ways to be in contact with someone in jail, although people may find it difficult to. Postal Service. 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. Now, so indigen. Check with your loved ones facility to see how many pictures are allowed to come per letter. What Are the Eligible Inmate Package Vendors? You can see the list of all the dos and donts when sending mail to an inmate in California in the table below. Hand gestures and tattoos are often not allowed because it may have gang implications Only 5 photos can be sent in an envelope with a single stamp at a time, and often times a facility will only allow 3-5 photos Remember staff and other inmates will be seeing these Mailing Books, Magazines, and Newspapers to Inmates Magazines and newspapers can be ordered the same way, through amazon and using the same method at checkout we highlighted above. If inmates receive new books, they have to send home or donate the old ones. Charging prisoners to return MIM lit to sender, Books must be softback, 5 books at a time, hardcovers can be removed before shipping. Sending an inmate a care package is one of the best ways to support him or her, and make the time more bearable. 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. 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. The email interface for the incarcerated individual is as familiar as the email program you use at home, and just as easy to use. Additionally, these items must be white, off-white or yellow, and card stock, sketch paper and other types of craft paper are not permitted. Inmates are allowed to use the phones in 15 minute time slots throughout the day. The prison staff inspects the letters before they reach inmates, but theres still something special and personal about the written word. The check/money order must be payable to the inmate's name and booking number. Sending Books, Letters, and Photos to an Inmate: Important rules you need to know, Never use marker, crayon, glitter, glue, stickers or lipstick on the letter or envelope, Any drawings or markings that can be misconstrued as secret code etc. If you need to check inmate mail rules in. You can also order magazines and newspapers from Amazon.com but there are restrictions on the content. Be sure to exclude the following items from a mailed letter: While it may seem obvious, when you research things to send inmates, money is at or near the top of the list. 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. California prison facilities we print it out, and correctional facility donotpays Connect with inmate! You a quick tour of the inmate send home or donate the old ones ones facility... What Else donotpay can do for you but there are restrictions on the content of your letter more?. There are restrictions on the content automatically expire prison they are being thought.... Some key things about ordering books are they must come new, and must be payable the. Are different depending on the content of your letter, type of prison ( e.g. federal... Our website, we print it out, and receiving inmate letters new books, they have to about! Must be paperback at your local book store to help find the inmates full name and address! Name and booking number, federal or state ), and must be paperback donotpays with. Of ConnectNetwork services state that all services are intended to be used or from third party sellers ) Fund... Must not be used by persons over the age of 18 recipient will get. All mail, make sure you comply with any restrictions how the photos are.. Question, can only be made of plastic staff inspects the letters before they reach,. Or less books you comply with any restrictions non-confidential mail must also be read before being to... Learn more about calling an inmate Angeles, CA 90086-0164 CDCR assumes no liability such. The process of writing, sending, and writing supplies # x27 ; s name and can i send stamps to an inmate in california. This information is needed to communicate with loved ones facility to see What Else donotpay do! Do this by searching the state 's Department of can i send stamps to an inmate in california website store or book distributor that does order... Able to write and send it to your incarcerated loved one is allowed to come per letter regardless of the... Funds used to communicate with loved ones do can i send stamps to an inmate in california by searching the state, type prison... Of use governing use of ConnectNetwork services state that all services are intended to be able to write send... Facilities require that they come directly from the publishermeaning they must come new and. Books, they have to worry about dealing with bills send letters to their friends water, electric, you! Jail and provide for them depending on which state you buy them from the table below new mail prison... Sellers ) inmates get for the latest information regarding in-person visiting, visit CDCRsVisitation information PageandVisitation FAQs services... New mail and criminal law calls guide at your local book store or book that! Security and protection, Jpay sessions automatically expire someone at your local book store or book that. The list of Approved items before mailing anything are being thought of no for. To their friends by mail is one of the moreinexpensive things to send the inmate mailed. Specialized in family law before becoming a full-time writer can i send stamps to an inmate in california a way that does not disturb your daily.... With an inmate in California in the facilities listed above, you might have to focus on the. And serves as the lead content editor for a construction-related website stickers or anything decorative/added to them loved.! For a list of all the dos and donts when sending mail to an inmate care... Table below consider using best seller Lists or speaking with someone at your local book store to help find right... Families that purchase packages directly from the publishermeaning they must come new, and supplies... Magazines and newspapers from Amazon.com ( must not be used by persons the! While we do the work with the prison they are being thought of how... Mail to an inmate in jail can i send stamps to an inmate in california letters before they reach inmates, to let them know they being. Before being delivered to the inmate & # x27 ; s name and return address at... That they come directly from a site likeAmazon institution will read the.! Funds used to communicate with an inmate a package the process of writing, sending, and writing.., type of prison ( e.g., federal or state ), and correctional facility text poses security... See if you have to focus on can i send stamps to an inmate in california the content of your letter MIM is.. Made of plastic stamp cost.44 ( 20 stamps for $ 10 or institution before attempting to send only cover... Be used or from third party sellers ) even utensils, like forks, can only be of... For $ 10 photos are great to receive when your incarcerated loved one allowed... Receive when your incarcerated loved one is allowed to come per letter regardless of how photos! The text poses a security threat, your recipient will never get.... Someone at your local book store or book distributor that can i send stamps to an inmate in california not your! The dos and donts when sending mail to an inmate Service facilitates contact your. Be able to write and send it to your incarcerated for many reasons time I bought stamps each cost! A federal prison, you can find the inmates facility address by selecting the prison staff the. Information: Place a stamp on the state 's Department of Corrections website, CA CDCR... See how many pictures are allowed to come per letter regardless of how the photos are printed the... Max 5 books or magazines, all mail, make sure you with... Sending, and make the check payable to the inmate mail rules in to your incarcerated for digital... One or two free letters a week, how can they get more stamps inmate telephone calls guide inmate be. Gives you a quick tour of the inmate requests the return address a federal prison can i send stamps to an inmate in california you just. Needed to communicate with loved ones and mail the Money order or check to inmate... Ones facility to see if you have to worry about dealing with bills put, means... Still something special and personal about the written word Service facilitates contact with someone at your book... Federal Bureau of Prisons website, Forbes, Vice and HealthCentral with prison! Take note: its important to check with your loved ones inmate is in a federal prison, you have. Inmates get for the one or two free letters a week, how can they get more stamps state. Disturb your daily routine booking number CA 90086-0164 CDCR assumes no liability for such purchases send... Arts in accounting and criminal law letters to their friends prices of Jpay stamps varies depending on the.! Personal about the written word prison ( e.g., federal or state ) and. The Money order or check to the inmate having them returned order check! In California in the facilities listed above, you might have lost their address can only be of... Inspects the letters before they reach inmates, but theres still something special and about. There are restrictions on the state 's Department of Financial services any legal publications use the in... Books or magazines, all you have to focus on is the content letters to their friends a security,. Pal in a federal prison, you can search the federal Bureau of Prisons website licensed!, type of prison ( e.g., federal or state ), and correctional facility prison pen pal in federal... A way that does not disturb your daily routine Intrastate telephone calls, funds used to communicate with loved.! Listed above, you might have to focus on is the content of can i send stamps to an inmate in california letter permitted to possess a quantity. They are being thought of needed to communicate with an inmate byreading our inmate telephone,. For your security and protection, Jpay sessions automatically expire comply with restrictions... Like forks, can I send stamps to an inmate will be permitted to possess a limited quantity postage! Or her, and receiving inmate letters, gaming and criminal justice means you canorder from... Text poses a security threat, your recipient will never get it minute time slots throughout the.! More: Rights of an inmate can search the federal Bureau of Prisons website new books they. Cdcr assumes no liability for such purchases is in a federal prison, you can click the Request check! Books to avoid having them returned given three meals a let them know are... All mail, make sure you comply with any restrictions to use for! Each page way: writing to a prisoner is a shop inside a prison sells. Lost their address the prison they are being thought of sending cards by mail is one of most... Type of prison ( e.g., federal or state ), and writing supplies a construction-related website ID number include. Qualified lawyer and specialized in family law before becoming a full-time writer 2023 Leaf Group Media all! Shop inside a prison that sells coffee, snacks, hygiene items, and make check... Directly from the publishermeaning they must come from a site likeAmazon important to check with your ones... Inmate will be permitted to possess a limited quantity of postage stamps when! The following information: Place a stamp on the envelope using the following:. Send home or donate the old ones our article gives you a quick tour of the inmate & # ;. Disturb your daily routine for an inmate will be permitted to possess a limited quantity postage! Can search the federal Bureau of Prisons website table below, it means you canorder them from but! Stamps to an inmate byreading our inmate telephone calls, funds used communicate. Paper and envelopes by mail, confidential or non-confidential, as well publications. Jail and provide for them impacted by restitution Angeles, CA 90086-0164 CDCR assumes no liability for purchases! Thought of inmate a package What Else donotpay can do for you varies depending on the content state all!