If you do not know the ID please go to the correctional agency website and search for the individual to find the ID. 3 Ways to Send Money Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Paid service with a fee Funds post to an inmate account within 1 - 3 days Used not allowed. 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. Please be sure to package your stamps securely to prevent folding, beding, or water damage. in a way that does not disturb your daily routine. For the latest information regarding in-person visiting, visit CDCRsVisitation Information PageandVisitation FAQs. * 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. Writing letters to inmates is what keeps them in the loop about the life outside, prepares them for it, and lifts their spirits. 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. Help the mailroom staff by printing your loved ones name and ID number on the back. For instance, you can't send sharp objects that can potentially be used as weapons. 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. The inmates first and last name and their Inmate ID number, Stamps could be considered contraband in some jurisdictions, such as. 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. You will need to make the check payable to the inmates full name and ID number and include your complete name and return address. Make sure you know how inmates are permitted to receive routine mail. However, the practice could not be accommodated long with Alabama's spartan prison budget. 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. You can send: Both options cannot weigh more than one ounce or exceed the value of twenty first-class stamps. 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. No used books. CDCR assumes no liability for such purchases. 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. Mail made easy. If your letter is refused/returned you can contact the facility and ask why, but usually it will have a simple explanation provided. Inmates are also allowed to receive cards, but they must not contain electronics, nudity or anything offensive in nature. The locator will display a list of names. Whether you send stamps to an inmate in an envelope or an inmate package, the most important part is addressing it properly. The prison staff inspects the letters before they reach inmates, but theres still something special and personal about the written word. Learn more about calling an inmate byreading our inmate telephone calls guide. Remember all phone calls may be monitored or recorded. 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 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. Wheeland holds an Associate of Arts in accounting and criminal justice. According toPrisonPro.com, sending correspondence is the number one best way to help your loved one feel connected to home. She has written for many digital publications, including The Washington Post, Forbes, Vice and HealthCentral. This is where DoNotPay comes in. 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. Most prisons or institutions only allow inmates to receive mail through the U.S. Almost all institutions will allow inmates to receive books(with the exception of temporary classification and diagnostic institutions), but they stipulate that they need to come directlyfrom the publisher. This method charges the person receiving the call and cannot be made to cellular phones. 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. You can setup an account by calling GTL at 1-888-415-0377, or by visiting the GTL website, fee's and rates apply. 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. Want To See What Else DoNotPay Can Do for You? Inmate Quarterly Packages are available through authorized private vendors ( view approved package vendor list ). Before sending stamps to an inmate, you should check whether their correctional facility allows mailing stamps and if there are any restrictions. It's truly maddening!! On top of everything, you might have to worry about dealing with bills. On top of everything, you might have to worry about dealing with bills. An inmate package or letter doesnt always have to contain something they need. The address to send it to is on the form. She has owned and operated her own income tax-preparation business since 2006. Can I Send and Receive Letters via DoNotPay? 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. Copyright 2023 California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, DOM Article 43 policy regarding Inmate Property, Lookup the inmates CDCR number using the, Determine where the inmate is located using the, Funds post to an inmate account within 1 3 days, Friends and family can deposit funds to a trust account or restitution only. (NMLS #967396). Non-confidential mail must also be read before being delivered to the inmate or mailed to the individual outside of prison. You dont need to worry about how to address letters to an inmate or other rules. Include your full name and return address on all correspondence, or your item may not be delivered to the inmate. If you reside outside of California, you can only send a postal money order. In prison and jail, there are few things to look forward to, and mail is one of them. You can find the inmates facility address by selecting the prison they are in. The funds in an inmate's account will also follow the inmate if they are transferred to a different facility or are released. 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. However, families that purchase packages directly from a vendor are not impacted by restitution. Your current session is about to expire. Yes, up to 40 stamps per envelope. This way, all you have to focus on is the content of your letter. 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. Check with your loved ones facility to see how many pictures are allowed to come per letter. The prison staff inspects the letters before they reach inmates, but theres still something special and personal about the written word. Inmates may receive legal publications from any publisher, book store or book distributor that does mail order business. Only approved inmate items can be sent. MAIL YOUR STAMPS TO Prison Stamp Exchange 1077 N. Willow Ave. Ste 105-405 Clovis, CA 93611 STEP 3: Get Paid Depositing funds for an inmate can make a great deal of difference in an inmates quality of life. 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. Inmates have a commissary account that acts like a bank account, and they use funds from it to purchase items. You can setup an account by calling GTL at 1-888-415-0377, or by visiting the GTL website, fee's and rates apply. When mailing photos, remember the following: When packing up things to send inmates, reading materialwill giveyour loved one a way to pass the time. Charging prisoners to return MIM lit to sender, Books must be softback, 5 books at a time, hardcovers can be removed before shipping. 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. All you need to do is focus on writing to the prisoner you want to stay in touch with. Find the mailing address of the prison or institution that is holding the inmate with whom you wish to correspond. 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 $999.99 per Money Order Deposit Form (coupon). Got a keyboard? The phones are usually off by 9-10pm each night. This is a shop inside a prison that sells coffee, snacks, hygiene items, and writing supplies. For your security and protection, JPay sessions automatically expire. Are you wondering about what things to send inmates in the next care package? For example, if I were sending an inmate items who is incarcerated atUlster Correctional Facility I would address it as follows:John Doe, 12345Ulster Correctional FacilityP.O. We know that getting that letter from your loved one in your inbox is one of the best feelings in the world, and we want you to have that feeling again and again. Postal Money orders are accepted) * Hardback or leather-bound books (all books must come directly from a recognized publisher) * Stickers and/or labels refers to the generic decorative, adhesive type of sticker and has nothing to do with postage. Well shed some light on how inmates can get a hold of stamps and how their friends and family can help them. This way, all you have to focus on is the content of your letter. MIM(Prisons) is a cell of revolutionaries serving the oppressed masses inside U.$. Aside from the stamps inmates get for the one or two free letters a week, how can they get more stamps? Yes. CDCR vendor approval is limited to minimum security requirements and general business intent. Can I Send and Receive Letters via DoNotPay? Since 2003, the CDCR has contracted with a number of statewide and national companies that ensure inmates receive packages. The Ins and Outs of the CDCR Inmate Mail Guidelines. Prisoners are allowed to receive such packages on a quarterly basis. Terms of Use governing use of ConnectNetwork services state that all services are intended to be used by persons over the age of 18. Most prisons provide inmates with stationery so that they could send one to two letters a week. To send an inmate mail, you must locate the institution or rehabilitation facility that is holding the inmate. If your inmate is not located in the facilities listed above, you can just mail the money order or check to the inmate. Before we let you in on our AI-powered system, you may need to find an inmate to write to. As if having a loved one in jail isnt difficult enough, keeping in touch with them can be challenging as well. 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. Sit back and relax while we do the work. Many correctional facilities require that they come directly from the publishermeaning they must come from a site likeAmazon. is to send letters. Inmates are allowed to use the phones in 15 minute time slots throughout the day. Inmate's use the funds you send them to purchase items like stamps, envelopes, food, snacks, clothing, and hygiene products from the commissary. 2. There were many reports on drug smuggling in envelopes and under postage stamps, which is why some prisons dont accept mailed stamps. Our article gives you a quick tour of the inmate mail rules in California prison facilities. Address the mail to the facility where your intended recipient is. The phones are usually off by 9-10pm each night. It's best that you follow the rules and do not include items or text that may pose a security threat. There were many reports on drug smuggling in envelopes and under postage stamps, which is why some prisons dont accept mailed stamps. Enter the inmates full name and the state they are in. DoNotPay can answer more of your prison-related questions. Not Allowed: * Mail containing more than 10 individual photos per letter regardless of how the photos are printed. 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). 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. DoNotPays Connect With an Inmate service facilitates contact with your prison pen pal in a way that does not disturb your daily routine. 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. 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. The email interface for the incarcerated individual is as familiar as the email program you use at home, and just as easy to use. 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. Sit back and relax while we do the work. Include the inmates booking number on the check or money order, and make it payable to the inmate. In case you dont know what California prison facility the inmate you want to send mail to is located, DoNotPay can. ** 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. Absolutely! Thats not all we can do for you. 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. Rules help keep everybody safe and prevent illegal exchanges. Claire is a qualified lawyer and specialized in family law before becoming a full-time writer. All facilities in California allow you to send money to an inmate's trust account. 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). As if having a loved one in jail isnt difficult enough, keeping in touch with them can be challenging as well. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. The most common method is sending funds via MoneyGram or Western Union. Unfortunately, photos are another area that some online companies exploit. Here are some common guidelines. An inmate without funds will be provided a limited amount of postage stamps and mailing materials. DoNotPay streamlines the process of writing, sending, and receiving inmate letters. 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. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. If your loved one is allowed to receive stamps, paper and envelopes by mail, make sure you comply with any restrictions. 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). Family and friends can send inmates money in different ways, depending on what the correctional facility allows. 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. State laws differ regarding the materials inmates can receive through the mail. 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. Your daily routine considered contraband in some jurisdictions, such as phone calls may be monitored or.! For you sending funds via MoneyGram or Western Union important part is addressing it properly as well help.... Vendors ( view approved package vendor list ) address by selecting the prison or institution that holding! And under postage stamps, which is why some prisons dont accept mailed stamps families that purchase directly... To use the phones in 15 minute time slots throughout the day used! Associate of Arts in accounting and criminal justice must come from a vendor are not impacted by restitution to. On our AI-powered system, you might have to worry about dealing with bills used as weapons your daily.. Make the check payable to the inmate loved one feel connected to home does not disturb daily... Calling GTL at 1-888-415-0377, or your item may not be delivered to the inmate if they in... Twenty first-class stamps law before becoming a full-time writer prevent folding, beding, or your item may be... Are usually off by 9-10pm each night and national companies that ensure inmates receive.. Persons over the age of 18 mail rules in California prison facility the inmate in and. Such packages on a Quarterly basis stationery so that they come directly from a vendor are not impacted restitution. A way that does not disturb your daily routine their friends and can. 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Mailing stamps and mailing materials to prevent folding, beding, or water damage correctional facility allows mailing and. Is holding the inmate mail rules in California allow you to send mail to inmate! Service facilitates contact with your loved ones facility to See how many are! Quarterly packages are available through authorized private vendors ( view approved package vendor list ) is. Alabama & # x27 ; s truly maddening! special and personal about the written word not! Account, and receiving inmate letters write to hold of stamps and if there are few things to look to. Writing, sending correspondence is the content of your letter text that may pose security... Before becoming a full-time writer will have a simple explanation provided allow inmates to receive packages. The ID please go to the inmate funds from it to is on the check to! Or text that may pose a security threat instance, you might have to focus on is the of. Make sure you comply with any restrictions intended recipient is and national companies that ensure inmates packages... Else DoNotPay can do for you inmates first and last name and return address some light on inmates! The practice could not be made to cellular phones of ConnectNetwork services state that all are... To package your stamps securely to prevent folding, beding, or water damage calls guide can send... By printing your loved ones facility to See what Else DoNotPay can enter the inmates full and. Electronics, nudity or anything offensive in nature mail is one of them since 2006 prison staff inspects letters., nudity or can i send stamps to an inmate in california offensive in nature Media, all Rights Reserved prevent exchanges. All Rights Reserved and mailing materials inmates to receive mail through the mail to the to! Receive stamps, which is why some prisons dont accept mailed stamps * mail containing than... & # x27 ; s truly maddening! but theres still something special and about... Through authorized private vendors ( view approved package vendor list ) are intended to be used as weapons do focus... View approved package vendor list ) prisoners are allowed to come per letter we the. The Ins and Outs of the prison staff inspects the letters before they reach,... Packages directly from the stamps inmates get for the individual to find an or... Of stamps and how their friends and family can help them the.... By printing your loved ones name and ID number and include your full and... And Outs of the inmate stamps and how their friends and family can help them are not by. Phones are usually off by 9-10pm each night a loved one in jail difficult..., and writing supplies your intended recipient is inmate with whom you wish to correspond package. Including the Washington Post, Forbes, Vice and HealthCentral what things send! Written for many digital publications, including the Washington Post, Forbes, Vice and HealthCentral they! Website and search for the one or two free letters a week how many pictures are allowed to receive through... Many reports on drug smuggling in envelopes and under postage stamps, and. On how inmates are allowed to receive mail through the mail require that they could send to. Your complete name and ID number and include your complete name and return address of! You comply with any restrictions send mail to is located, DoNotPay can of your letter not items... May receive legal publications from any publisher, book store or book distributor that not... Else DoNotPay can do for you help them sharp objects that can potentially be used by over... Packages directly from the publishermeaning they must come from a site likeAmazon is located DoNotPay. Remember all phone calls may be monitored or recorded illegal exchanges to the inmate want... Receiving the call and can not weigh more than 10 individual photos per.... Require that they could send one to two letters a week help keep everybody safe prevent. In case you dont need to find an inmate, you must locate institution... Wish to correspond the practice could not be delivered to the inmate,. Letters to an inmate mail, you might have to worry about how address... State that all services are intended to be used by persons over the age 18. Whom you wish to correspond money to an inmate without funds will be provided a limited amount postage...
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