Since 2003, the CDCR has contracted with a number of statewide and national companies that ensure inmates receive packages. How does sending letters with DoNotPay work? All MIM material banned per state-wide CDC ban, 1 pound weight limit per O.P. They must also adhere to the policies surrounding appropriate content (no nudity or sexually suggestive material no matter how funny), and they cannot have glitter, stickers or anything else that makes the card different from a normal plain old card. An inmate is not allowed to receive contraband items unless these are authorized by the facility. 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. 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. Those rules are different depending on the state, type of prison (e.g., federal or state), and correctional facility. Visit DoNotPay in your web browser, and well also help you: We have helped over 300,000 people with their problems. The first is by calling someone collect. Inmates may receive publications from any publisher, book store or book distributor that does mail order business. You can see the list of all the dos and donts when sending mail to an inmate in California in the table below. Though the provisions from each facility are different, most inmates are given three meals a . Unfortunately, stamps, envelopes and paper are contraband in many U.S. jails. Alternatively, if you know the inmate's ID number, you can enter it into the field and press "Search." Find the mailing address of the prison or institution that is holding the inmate with whom you wish to correspond. Our article gives you a quick tour of the inmate mail rules in California prison facilities. 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. However, families that purchase packages directly from a vendor are not impacted by restitution. Important: All vendors must receive CDCR approval before providing services to institutions. California Inmate Phones/Sending Money & Mail, Read our guide about sending money to an inmate, 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. Thats not all we can do for you. Address the mail to the facility where your intended recipient is. perfume. To get the best experience, youll need to upgrade to a newer browser. Even utensils, like forks, can only be made of plastic. 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. 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. Please note the CDCRNumber is the California Department of Corrections Number. Note that you can only purchase books and magazines through approved vendors, such as Barnes & Noble and Amazon. Box 86164 Terminal Annex Los Angeles, CA 90086-0164 2. Resolve Other Issues With DoNotPays Help. Colorado Universal Service Fund Intrastate Telephone Calls, funds used to communicate with loved ones. no staples or bindings. Purchases from vendors are at the buyers sole risk. Lizzy, you can send 80 cent stamps (overseas postage) but the total must NOT exceed $7.40 US. An inmate is not allowed to receive contraband items unless these are authorized by the facility. 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't send whatever you want to an inmate. In case you dont know what California prison facility the inmate you want to send mail to is located, DoNotPay can. 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. is one of the most popular ways to be in contact with someone in jail, although people may find it difficult to. Unfortunately, stamps, envelopes and paper are contraband in many U.S. jails. Sit back and relax while we do the work. For the most part these are the only items that can be mailed to an inmate (with the exception of Holiday packages). is to send letters. How to Send a Los Angeles County Inmate a Care Package, How to Send Money to a Georgia Prison Inmate, Washington County Sheriff's Office and Jail: Inmate Mail Guide, Florida Department of Corrections: Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Writing to an Inmate. prisons, guided by the communist ideology of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism. Before we let you in on our AI-powered system, you may need to. All you need to do is focus on writing to the prisoner you want to stay in touch with. Resources to Improve Mental Wellbeing of Incarcerated Individuals, Quickly and conveniently make payments or deposits, and manage your account on the go! Whether you send stamps to an inmate in an envelope or an. The fee for sending money over the phone ranges from $4.90-$11.90. JPays correctional email service is faster than regular mail, withindividuals usually receiving emails within 48 hours. You can send: Both options cannot weigh more than one ounce or exceed the value of twenty first-class stamps. By sending these visual connections, your loved one can still see whats going on and remain interested/connected to the outside world. In many locations, you can attach a photo to an email, or even record a 30-second VideoGram to send along with your letter. 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. only paperback/soft cover. . 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. Those rules are different depending on the state, type of prison (e.g., federal or state), and correctional facility. Sending cards by mail is one of the moreinexpensive things to send inmates,to let them know they are being thought of. 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. Yes. 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). Inmate Quarterly Packages are available through authorized private vendors (view approved package vendor list). 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. 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. This is where DoNotPay comes in. To see how to send books or magazines through Amazon, follow the hyperlinks. 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. While it may seem obvious, when you research things to send inmates, money is at or near the top of the list. All content produced by the Maoist Internationalist Ministry of Prisons is under the, End Indefinite Restrictive Housing in TDCJ (1/29/2023), Stop Deprivation of Food in Nevada (1/15/2023), We Demand Our Grievances are Addressed in Nevada (1/15/2023), Boycott Juneteenth: End Mass Incarceration and Solitary (1/09/2023), Stop Censorship of Non-Nude Publications and Photos - Repeal BP-3.91 (11/05/2022), Texas update, Increasing Censorship, Increasing Unity, Gender, Nation and Class Divides - Discussion of ULK 79, Pendleton Correctional Facility in IN (11/21/22), Pondville Correctional Center in MA (11/17/22), Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License, Operations Manual Article 41 - Inmate Mail, 15 CCR ? 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. 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. If at anytime you are unsure of what you can send, contact the facility over the telephone using the numbers provided on our site. Inmate funds only: JPay does not accept Family Visit, TCL, Restitution only, etc. 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 Your incarcerated loved one may have been transferred, or you might have lost their address. If the inmate is in a federal prison, you can search the Federal Bureau of Prisons website. 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. Cards that include electronics (like singing cards), cards that have extra thick stock or pop-up features, and cards that include multiple layers are never allowed. If a sticker is on an envelope, the inmate is given the letter inside, but not the envelope. Copyright 2023 California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, DOM Article 43 policy regarding Inmate Property. However, the practice could not be accommodated long with Alabama's spartan prison budget. Write a letter to the inmate and realize that staff of the prison or institution will read the mail. 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. Family and friends can send inmates money in different ways, depending on what the correctional facility allows. 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. 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. 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. 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. Thats not all we can do for you. Remember all phone calls may be monitored or recorded. Help type articles, letters and study group discussions from prisoners. Wheeland holds an Associate of Arts in accounting and criminal justice. Sending Stamps, Paper and Envelopes Before you send prisoner stamps, paper and envelopes, make sure these items aren't classed as contraband. Here are some common guidelines. Can I send money to an inmate? JPay's correctional email service is faster than regular mail, with individuals usually receiving emails within 48 hours. The prices of Jpay stamps varies depending on which state you buy them from. 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. 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 inmates first and last name and their Inmate ID number, Stamps could be considered contraband in some jurisdictions, such as. Be sure to enterfacility name and the address that inmate mail is received at (which may not be the same as the physical address). TouchPay Holdings, LLC d/b/a GTL Financial Services is wholly owned by Global Tel*Link Corporation d/b/a ViaPath Technologies. 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. 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. May 1, 2012 - 10:19pm. ** If a return address on an envelope is a sticker label, the envelope is not given to the inmate, but the inmate may copy down the return address. It may not seem like much to someone on the outside, but when you are incarcerated letters are your lifeblood. When selecting books, you should consider topics and genres your loved one enjoys, as well as sending material that can help them further their rehabilitation. According toPrisonPro.com, sending correspondence is the number one best way to help your loved one feel connected to home. Under no circumstances can an inmate receive incoming calls. Box 800Napanoch, New York 12458-0800. You can setup an account by calling GTL at 1-888-415-0377, or by visiting the GTL website, fee's and rates apply. The institution can deduct up to 50% of a deposit if the inmate owes outstanding balances. JPay LLC is licensed by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance; NMLS #926932. Some key things about ordering books are they must come NEW, and must be paperback. Inmate Quarterly Packages are available through authorized private vendors (view approved package vendor list). 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. , but before you do so, make sure to check the inmate mail guidelines that each prison has. Terms of Use governing use of ConnectNetwork services state that all services are intended to be used by persons over the age of 18. 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. If a prisoner wants to send letters more often, they need to bear the cost of stamps and other essential items. Absolutely! Depending on the facility, incarcerated individuals may be able to respond electronically, view and print your message, and view photo attachments. Magazines and newspapers can be ordered the same way, through amazon and using the same method at checkout we highlighted above. Click on the inmate's name and discover the prison or institution. 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. The prison staff inspects the letters before they reach inmates, but theres still something special and personal about the written word. California inmates are also allowed to receive new soft cover books directly from a publisher such as Amazon.com. Any funds sent to an inmate will still be subject to restitution as ordered by the sentencing court. She has written for many digital publications, including The Washington Post, Forbes, Vice and HealthCentral. She has owned and operated her own income tax-preparation business since 2006. Of course the cards must be appropriate and cannot include suggestive material, even in satire. Besides stamps, you can send gifts or care packages to a prisoner to make them feel loved and supported. In most cases, a guard will open and inspect mail in the presence of the inmate. Itwill cover mailing letters, photos, books, cards, magazines and newspapers. Depending on the type of mail sent to inmates, eligible senders are listed in the table below. If the inspecting staff disagrees with the morals, values, attitudes, or language of the text, they will still deliver the letter. 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. Your current session will expire in: For staying in touch, nothing beats the speed and convenience of email. 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. Always keep in mind that the correctional staff will read the letter you have sent to an inmate. If they are not from a publisher like amazon and you send them yourself in a box they will be rejected! Your incarcerated loved one may have been transferred, or you might have lost their address. 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. Postal Service mail. . For the latest information regarding in-person visiting, visit CDCRsVisitation Information PageandVisitation FAQs. If they are hardcover they will be rejected. 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. It goes without saying that sending photos to your loved one in prison is a valuable way to help them feel connected between visits. 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. Always print the inmates name and ID number on the back of the photo in pen (this helps the mail room staff), Photos should never contain nudity, sexually suggestive material, Hand gestures and tattoos are often not allowed because it may have gang implications, Remember staff and other inmates will be seeing these, Use the inmate's name and ID number with the facility mailing address. There shall be no "Approved Vendor Lists" for any legal publications. This procedure aids in the inmate's rehabilitation and transition. It's truly maddening!! We understand how difficult it is to have a loved one in jail and provide for them. Angela M. Wheeland specializes in topics related to taxation, technology, gaming and criminal law. This is a shop inside a prison that sells coffee, snacks, hygiene items, and writing supplies. Sending an inmate a care package is one of the best ways to support him or her, and make the time more bearable. Check what forms of money are permitted, e.g., cashier's checks, money orders or cash, and be aware of daily limits. 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. Not Allowed: * Mail containing more than 10 individual photos per letter regardless of how the photos are printed. The Federal Bureau of Prisons encourages communication between inmates and their families and friends. Family and friends can send inmates money in different ways, depending on what the correctional facility allows. It's not easy when a loved one is incarcerated, but keeping in touch between visiting times can help make the situation more tolerable. 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. JPays email service is a fast, feature-rich way to correspond with your incarcerated loved one. What Are the Eligible Inmate Package Vendors? Purchase stamps. 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. For your security and protection, JPay sessions automatically expire. 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. If you are sending 37 cent stamps for your pal to send within the US, the total still must not exceed $7.40 (20 stamps). Enter the inmate's first and last name into the corresponding fields and press "Search." Does the inmate have a right to legal services? Got a keyboard? Wow, so I went to buy stamps again for my account and I got 60 single page stamps for $10. 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. Some places have restrictions on senders even using preprinted return address labels, so your best bet is to had write your return address. Inmates incarcerated in California may receive allowable items from anyone who is not currently incarcerated, or anyone who has not been released within the past year. Keep in mind that rules are in place to ensure that the items sent from outside are not contraband. If the mail contains any illegal or suspicious information, the inmate will not receive the letter. Used not allowed. Before sending stamps to an inmate, you should check whether their correctional facility allows mailing stamps and if there are any restrictions. Now, so indigen. You will need to make the check payable to the inmates full name and ID number and include your complete name and return address. On top of everything, you might have to worry about dealing with bills. Can I Send and Receive Letters via DoNotPay? 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. You can click the Request Mail Check to see if you have new mail. 4 books at a time. Absolutely! There were many reports on drug smuggling in envelopes and under postage stamps, which is why some prisons dont accept mailed stamps. Some facilities let inmates receive self-addressed, stamped envelopes, but check whether there are any limitations. 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 $999.99 per Money Order Deposit Form (coupon). Each email requires a "Stamp," often available at more affordable rates than traditional postage, and can be purchased online and at JPay kiosks in the correctional facility. To send an inmate mail, you must locate the institution or rehabilitation facility that is holding the inmate. Remember all phone calls may be monitored or recorded. Help the mailroom staff by printing your loved ones name and ID number on the back. These two combine in a way that you and your correspondent have a unique experienceyou will be sending and receiving emails, whereas they will be handling printed and written letters. Some facilities require your name and return address to be hand-written, rather than provided on a gummed or adhesive label. Include the inmates booking number on the check or money order, and make it payable to the inmate. Writing letters to inmates is what keeps them in the loop about the life outside, prepares them for it, and lifts their spirits. You can also order magazines and newspapers from Amazon.com but there are restrictions on the content. An inmate without funds will be provided a limited amount of postage stamps and mailing materials. Read our guide about sending money to an inmatefor more information. We understand how difficult it is to have a loved one in jail and provide for them. Since 2003, the CDCR has contracted with a number of statewide and national companies that ensure inmates receive packages. CDCR vendor approval is limited to minimum security requirements and general business intent. MIM(Prisons) is a cell of revolutionaries serving the oppressed masses inside U.$. 1. If the text poses a security threat, your recipient will never get it. Just remember to be tasteful. The prison staff inspects the letters before they reach inmates, but theres still something special and personal about the written word. If the facility does let inmates receive stamps, paper and envelopes, follow the correct mailing procedure. Prisons usually allow inmates to go to the commissary once a week or once every two weeks. If the inmate requests the return address from the envelope, the address is torn off and given to the inmate. Inmates are allowed to use the phones in 15 minute time slots throughout the day. An inmate package or letter doesnt always have to contain something they need. Most prisons provide inmates with stationery so that they could send one to two letters a week. For the latest information regarding in-person visiting, visit CDCRsVisitation Information PageandVisitation FAQs. Whether you send stamps to an inmate in an envelope or an inmate package, the most important part is addressing it properly. Only 1 book shipment per month of 10 or less books. 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). ", 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.
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