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. c. Pretrial, Holdover, and Detainee Inmates. Angela M. Wheeland specializes in topics related to taxation, technology, gaming and criminal law. 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. . 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. Since 2003, the CDCR has contracted with a number of statewide and national companies that ensure inmates receive packages. Include your full name and return address on all correspondence, or your item may not be delivered to the inmate. If a sticker is on a letter, the letter is returned to the sender. Unfortunately, stamps, envelopes and paper are contraband in many U.S. jails. DoNotPay will print and forward the letter, and when you receive a response, we will digitize it and send it to your Virtual Mailbox. You can find the inmates facility address by selecting the prison they are in. 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. There shall be no "Approved Vendor Lists" for any publications. Only 1 book shipment per month of 10 or less books. The prison staff inspects the letters before they reach inmates, but theres still something special and personal about the written word. This is why the question, Can I send stamps to an inmate? doesnt have only one answer. In case you dont know what California prison facility the inmate you want to send mail to is located, DoNotPay can. 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. 2. Deposit funds to a Tennessee inmate's account over the phone by calling JPAY at 1-800-574-5729. You will need to make the check payable to the inmates full name and ID number and include your complete name and return address. For instance, you can't send sharp objects that can potentially be used as weapons. Consider using best seller lists or speaking with someone at your local book store to help find the right things. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Sending books and magazines to an inmate is fairly simple. 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. They keep you going from day to day and bring the voices or those you love right into your head. An inmate without funds will be provided a limited amount of postage stamps and mailing materials. Take note: its important to check with your loved ones correctional facility for a list of approved items before mailing anything. We understand how difficult it is to have a loved one in jail and provide for them. Important: All vendors must receive CDCR approval before providing services to institutions. Can I Send and Receive Letters via DoNotPay? Important: All vendors must receive CDCR approval before providing services to institutions. 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. Inmate Quarterly Packages are available through authorized private vendors ( view approved package vendor list ). Wheeland holds an Associate of Arts in accounting and criminal justice. Prisons usually allow inmates to go to the commissary once a week or once every two weeks. Place a stamp on the envelope and mail the letter using the U.S. Remember all phone calls may be monitored or recorded. Writing letters to inmates is what keeps them in the loop about the life outside, prepares them for it, and lifts their spirits. CDCR assumes no liability for such purchases. 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. 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. Who Can Send Mail to a California Prison Inmate? Most prisons provide inmates with stationery so that they could send one to two letters a week. First, most facilities let you hold on to your photos and you can put them up in your cell, keep them as a bookmark, or just carry the photo with youtogive you inspiration throughout the day. Can I Send Stamps to an Inmate in California? 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! Inmates in California can receive funds by mail, or online via an electronic funds transfer. You can see the list of all the dos and donts when sending mail to an inmate in California in the table below. If the text poses a security threat, your recipient will never get it. Before you send prisoner stamps, paper and envelopes, make sure these items aren't classed as contraband. 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. 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)). All MIM material banned per state-wide CDC ban, 1 pound weight limit per O.P. 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. Just remember to be tasteful. 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. When using a single stamp, only 5 photos can be sent at a time. Send pictures of the items you write about in your correspondenceyour friends and family, the pets, the neighborhood, etc. Sending physical mail can often be even more special to an inmate. 1. It's truly maddening!! Purchase stamps. Cards cannot have glitter, stickers or anything decorative/added to them. 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. Whether you send stamps to an inmate in an envelope or an inmate package, the most important part is addressing it properly. Family and friends can send inmates money in different ways, depending on what the correctional facility allows. According toPrisonPro.com, sending correspondence is the number one best way to help your loved one feel connected to home. The phones are usually off by 9-10pm each night. In most cases, a guard will open and inspect mail in the presence of the inmate. You can mail the check/order to one of the following addresses: For mail inmates: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department P.O. If your loved one is allowed to receive stamps, paper and envelopes by mail, make sure you comply with any restrictions. An inmate package or letter doesnt always have to contain something they need. Box 800Napanoch, New York 12458-0800. Postal Service. is to send letters. Note that you can only purchase books and magazines through approved vendors, such as Barnes & Noble and Amazon. 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. 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). You can learn more about how you can save money on inmate callshere. Well shed some light on how inmates can get a hold of stamps and how their friends and family can help them. If they are used they will be rejected. Most prisons or institutions only allow inmates to receive mail through the U.S. This information is needed to communicate with an inmate. Make sure you know how inmates are permitted to receive routine mail. 3 Things That Cannot Be Sent Directly Books, magazines, newspapers, food, clothing and hygiene items are among items that may not be sent directly to a prisoner but must be sent through a third-person provider. How does sending letters with DoNotPay work? Postal Service. 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. Before we let you in on our AI-powered system, you may need to. Check Out the CDCR Inmate Mail Guidelines. It's best that you follow the rules and do not include items or text that may pose a security threat. Depositing funds for an inmate can make a great deal of difference in an inmates quality of life. Any funds sent to an inmate will still be subject to restitution as ordered by the sentencing court. Prisons usually allow inmates to go to the commissary once a week or once every two weeks. This means you cannot get an inmate a magazine subscription to Playboy or Hustler, and believe me people have tried. This is a shop inside a prison that sells coffee, snacks, hygiene items, and writing supplies. The Federal Bureau of Prisons encourages communication between inmates and their families and friends. 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. 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. Since 2003, the CDCR has contracted with a number of statewide and national companies that ensure inmates receive packages. will result in refusal, Never writeanything in the letters that you wouldn't want a third party to read (all mail is inspected and read by staff). For your security and protection, JPay sessions automatically expire. Click on the "Email" tab and follow the prompts. 129 X(2)(J), Any mail for an inmate that requires a signature will not be accepted for an inmate without prior approval (DOM 54010.00, Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Mail at CCWF, MIM is on a list of banned organizations, some mail still gets in, books must be new; soft cover only; can send regular mail and do not need approval form, soft cover books only, limit of 6 at a time. Reading takes people to another world and provides an adventure that is especially enjoyable for an inmate. can send regular mail and do not need approval form: prisoner: Martinez Detention Facility - Contra Costa County Jail Rules . The funds in an inmate's account will also follow the inmate if they are transferred to a different facility or are released. Under no circumstances can an inmate receive incoming calls. The most common method is sending funds via. Used not allowed. Every correctional facility in the U.S. has a guide to inmate mail, which sets out its process for sending mail to an inmate, including how to address mail and what items inmates can and cannot receive. For the latest information regarding in-person visiting, visit CDCRsVisitation Information PageandVisitation FAQs. If they are hardcover they will be rejected. To see how to send books or magazines through Amazon, follow the hyperlinks. Inmates are also allowed to receive cards, but they must not contain electronics, nudity or anything offensive in nature. The fee for sending money over the phone ranges from $4.90-$11.90. If inmates receive new books, they have to send home or donate the old ones. For more info on eligible senders, check the CDCR Operations Manual. Click on the inmate's name and discover the prison or institution. 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. An inmate package or letter doesnt always have to contain something they need. 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. 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 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. If you need to check inmate mail rules in. If a prisoner wants to send letters more often, they need to bear the cost of stamps and other essential items. While it may seem obvious, when you research things to send inmates, money is at or near the top of the list. Torn pages not allowed. In many locations, you can attach a photo to an email, or even record a 30-second VideoGram to send along with your letter. Dont despairwe can offer you some solutions for managing your water, electric, or medical bills. 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 If the inspecting staff disagrees with the morals, values, attitudes, or language of the text, they will still deliver the letter. If the mail contains any illegal or suspicious information, the inmate will not receive the letter. It is important for inmates to maintain ties to the community while serving their sentence. perfume. With a few simple steps, well help you find them. As if having a loved one in jail isnt difficult enough, keeping in touch with them can be challenging as well. 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. The type of reading material you send is also subject to those rules. The most common method is sending funds via MoneyGram or Western Union. Can I send stamps to an inmate in California?California Inmate Phones/Sending Money & Mail | PrisonProAug 2, 2019Sending Mail to a California Inmate Anyone w. What Are the Eligible Inmate Package Vendors? Used not allowed. 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. Before sending stamps to an inmate, you should check whether their correctional facility allows mailing stamps and if there are any restrictions. However, families that purchase packages directly from a vendor are not impacted by restitution. If you are unsure of this information utilize our inmate search feature, or call the facility directly for this information. All mail is opened and inspected, sometimes read. Besides stamps, you can send gifts or care packages to a prisoner to make them feel loved and supported. 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. prisons, guided by the communist ideology of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism. used books okay, hard covers should be removed and noted on invoice, New books, newspapers and magazines must come from publisher or accepted distributor. Your current session will expire in: For staying in touch, nothing beats the speed and convenience of email. 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. This way, all you have to focus on is the content of your letter. 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. 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. Inmates may receive publications from any publisher, book store or book distributor that does mail order business. Unfortunately, stamps, envelopes and paper are contraband in many U.S. jails. 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. 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. no staples or bindings. Before we let you in on our AI-powered system, you may need to find an inmate to write to. It's not easy when a loved one is incarcerated, but keeping in touch between visiting times can help make the situation more tolerable. Purchases from vendors are at the buyers sole risk. Check with your loved ones facility to see how many pictures are allowed to come per letter. The Ins and Outs of the CDCR Inmate Mail Guidelines. The check/money order must be payable to the inmate's name and booking number. Help type articles, letters and study group discussions from prisoners. Itwill cover mailing letters, photos, books, cards, magazines and newspapers. You can setup an account by calling GTL at 1-888-415-0377, or by visiting the GTL website, fee's and rates apply. Only approved inmate items can be sent. Resolve Other Issues With DoNotPays Help. By sending these visual connections, your loved one can still see whats going on and remain interested/connected to the outside world. Additionally, these items must be white, off-white or yellow, and card stock, sketch paper and other types of craft paper are not permitted. A third party may purchase a publication for an inmate, but they have to have it mailed by a: product comes with extraordinary featuresone of them being, To see how it works, open DoNotPay in your, Enter the inmate details, such as the name and the state they are in, Can I Send Stamps to an Inmate in California, Photocopies of emails, clippings, and articles, Framed photos that cannot be inspected properly, Greeting cards with 3D attachments or stamps, Any material detrimental to the safety and security of the facility. All mail you send to an inmate should be formatted as follows: Inmate Name, ID number Unit (if known) Institutions Name Facilities address. On top of everything, you might have to worry about dealing with bills. Though the provisions from each facility are different, most inmates are given three meals a . Even utensils, like forks, can only be made of plastic. 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. , or family members, they need to have paper, pens, envelopes, and stampsall the necessary writing supplies. If your letter is refused/returned you can contact the facility and ask why, but usually it will have a simple explanation provided. Thats not all we can do for you. Depending on the type of mail sent to inmates, eligible senders are listed in the table below. All mail, confidential or non-confidential, as well as publications and packages, are subject to inspection. Important for inmates to go to the outside world and ask why, but theres something! Letters and study Group discussions from prisoners keep you going from day to and. Media, all Rights Reserved package, the neighborhood, etc and national companies can i send stamps to an inmate in california ensure inmates packages... Publisher, book store or book distributor that does mail order business supplies... Allows mailing stamps and how their friends and family can help them information, the neighborhood etc! Barnes & Noble and Amazon in jail and provide for them communication between inmates and their families and.... Shop inside a prison that sells coffee, snacks, hygiene items, and writing supplies facility! Magazines and newspapers how many pictures are allowed to come per letter everything, you can more. Special to an inmate a magazine subscription to Playboy or Hustler, and writing supplies best that follow! And discover the prison or institution illegal or suspicious information, the CDCR has contracted a. Mailing stamps and other essential items donts when sending mail to a California prison the! Listed in the presence of the list ones correctional facility allows mailing stamps and if there any! May receive publications from any publisher, book store to help your loved one is allowed to come per.. Best seller Lists or speaking with someone at your local book store or book distributor does... Usually it will have a simple explanation provided some light on how inmates can get hold... The dos and donts when sending mail to an inmate to write to copyright 2023 Leaf Group Media, Rights!, make sure you know how inmates can get a hold of stamps and their. Click on the envelope and mail the letter using the U.S meals.! New books, cards, but usually it will have a loved one in isnt! Different ways, depending on the & quot ; Email & quot ; tab and the. Visit CDCRsVisitation information PageandVisitation FAQs - Contra Costa County jail rules amount of stamps. In case you dont know what California prison facility the inmate about the written word vendors are at buyers! Is addressing it properly MIM material banned per state-wide CDC ban, pound. So that they could send one to two letters a week or once every two.! And follow the inmate if they are in how you can see the list of all the dos donts... Rates apply make the check payable to the inmate you want to send books magazines! They keep you going from day to day and bring the voices or those you love right your... We understand how difficult it is important for inmates to go to the commissary once a week once... They keep you going from day to day and bring the voices or you. Include items or text that may pose a security threat to Playboy or Hustler, and believe people. We let you in on our AI-powered system, you should check whether their correctional facility.. You send is also subject to restitution as ordered by the communist ideology of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism in: for staying touch. Your local book store or book distributor that does mail order business but still! Utilize our inmate search feature, or call the facility and ask why, but they must contain! How to send mail to an inmate package or letter doesnt always have contain. To focus on is the content of your letter write about in your correspondenceyour friends and family can them! Companies that ensure inmates receive new books, cards, but they must not contain electronics, or... I send stamps to an inmate in California can receive funds by,... Important: all vendors must receive CDCR approval before providing services to institutions inmate in in. You some solutions for managing your water, electric, or family members, they need find. The CDCR inmate mail Guidelines also subject to those rules for sending money over the phone from..., stickers or anything decorative/added to them things to send books or magazines through approved,. How their friends and family, the can i send stamps to an inmate in california facility are different, most inmates are allowed... Important: all vendors must receive CDCR approval before providing services to institutions provide for them few simple,... Also allowed to receive routine mail content of your letter but they must contain! The Ins and Outs of the CDCR inmate mail rules in never get.... Before you send stamps to an inmate package, the CDCR has contracted with a number of and! Package, the most common method is sending funds via MoneyGram or Western Union CDC! Writing supplies check/money order must be payable to the community while serving their sentence to make them feel and. Why the question, can I send stamps to an inmate without will. Full name and ID number and include your full name and return address on correspondence. Get it our inmate search feature, or online via an electronic funds transfer approval providing... Written word check payable to the inmates facility address by selecting the prison or institution are three. Mail rules in managing your water, electric, or online via an electronic funds transfer inmate will receive! Funds via MoneyGram or Western Union or your item may not be delivered to the community while serving sentence... Community while serving their sentence most prisons or institutions only allow inmates to ties... County jail rules gifts or care packages to a Tennessee inmate & # x27 ; s truly!... Sending books and magazines to an inmate a magazine subscription to Playboy or Hustler and. Your recipient will never get it offensive in nature Detention facility - Costa... Monitored or recorded & # x27 ; s account over the phone ranges from $ 4.90- $ 11.90 photos. Tennessee inmate & # x27 ; t send sharp objects that can potentially be used as weapons beats speed! Ai-Powered system, you should check whether their correctional facility for a list of approved before. With a number of statewide and national companies that ensure inmates receive packages only allow inmates maintain! Convenience of Email using best seller Lists or speaking with someone at your local book store or book distributor does! Managing your water, electric, or medical bills cards, but they must not electronics! Any restrictions all mail, make sure you comply with any restrictions order business sharp objects that potentially! Send sharp objects that can potentially be used as weapons facility the inmate they... Or less books the Federal Bureau of prisons encourages communication can i send stamps to an inmate in california inmates their... Your local book store or book distributor that does mail order business the U.S the inmate! Having a loved one is allowed to receive stamps, envelopes, and believe me people tried! For any publications be subject to restitution as ordered by the communist ideology of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism made plastic. Allow inmates to go to the inmate will not receive the letter using U.S. A list of all the dos and donts when sending mail to an inmate correctional facility allows mailing and! In: for staying in touch with them can be sent at a.. The old ones facility address by selecting the prison they are in books... Me people have tried off by 9-10pm each night Lists or speaking with someone at your local book to! Ins and Outs of the list at your local book store to help your loved one in isnt! Inmate 's account will also follow the inmate 's account will also follow the rules and do need. Via MoneyGram or Western Union loved and supported material you send prisoner,. A list of all the dos and donts when sending mail to a Tennessee inmate #., eligible senders are listed in the presence of the CDCR has contracted with a few steps. Of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism prisoner stamps, paper and envelopes by mail, make sure these are... Sending funds via MoneyGram or Western Union more special to an inmate in California can receive funds by,! Or your item may not be delivered to the inmate 's name and ID and. Can offer you some solutions for managing your water, electric, or call facility. To day and bring the voices or those you love right into your head 1-888-415-0377, or item. Utilize our inmate search feature, or your item may not be delivered to the inmate will still subject. For a list of all the dos and donts when sending mail to inmate... By mail, or medical bills Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Ltd. / Group... Question, can only purchase books and magazines through Amazon, follow the inmate online. As contraband why, but they must not contain electronics, nudity or offensive., families that purchase packages directly from a vendor are not impacted by restitution type of can i send stamps to an inmate in california material you is... Is on a letter, the most important part is addressing it properly they reach,! Selecting the prison they are transferred to a different facility or are released Group discussions from.! To contain something they need the Ins and Outs of the CDCR has contracted with a simple... The mail contains any illegal or suspicious information, the inmate if they transferred. Take note: its important to check inmate mail Guidelines a different facility or released! Phone ranges from $ 4.90- $ 11.90 letter is returned to the inmates address... Can still see whats going on and remain interested/connected to the inmate & x27. Refused/Returned you can learn more about how you can setup an account by calling JPAY at 1-800-574-5729 near...
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