PRISON MAIL RULES
Prison mail rules vary depending on the institution and its policies, but there are some common guidelines and restrictions typically enforced:
Prison mail rules vary depending on the institution and its policies, but there are some common guidelines and restrictions typically enforced:
Content Restrictions: Most prisons prohibit certain types of content in mail, such as depictions of violence, sexually explicit material, hate speech, gang-related content, or anything that could incite violence or unrest within the facility.
Contraband Prohibition: Inmates are usually not allowed to receive items considered contraband, including drugs, weapons, alcohol, or anything else that poses a security risk.
Limitations on Correspondents: Prisoners may have restrictions on who they can correspond with via mail. For example, some prisons may require prior approval for pen pals or limit the number of individuals a prisoner can communicate with.
Security Checks: All incoming and outgoing prison mail is typically subject to inspection by prison staff. This is done to ensure compliance with rules and to prevent the smuggling of contraband. Some prisons scan the letters and throw away the envelopes, so always make sure to add your full contact information in the letter the first time you write to an inmate.
Language and Tone: Correspondence must often adhere to certain standards of language and tone. Disrespectful, threatening, or inflammatory language may result in the rejection of the mail or disciplinary action against the sender.
Addressing Requirements: Mail must be properly addressed with the inmate’s full name, identification number, and the correct address of the facility. Failure to provide accurate information may result in delays or rejection of the mail.
Mail Monitoring: Some prisons may monitor or censor incoming and outgoing mail for security purposes. This means that the content of letters may be read or scanned before being delivered.
Legal Correspondence: Inmates typically have the right to receive and send mail related to legal matters, including communication with attorneys, courts, and legal organizations. This type of correspondence may have additional protections under the law.
Avoid breaking the prison mail rules: For the reasons named above, you should always use a white sheet of paper and normal ink the first time you write, to avoid your letter being discarded by the prison. Don’t put any stickers, tape, perfume, lipstick or anything else extra in the letter to avoid breaking the regulations of the prison. Some prisons don’t even allow you to send pictures.
It’s important for both inmates and their correspondents to familiarize themselves with the specific prison mail rules and regulations of the facility to ensure compliance and avoid any issues or delays in communication. Write in English so the mailroom staff will understand what you’re writing, otherwise it might be deemed a threat to security.
If you want to know more about how to write to a prisoner, you can visit our How to write to a prisoner page. If you want to learn more about different regulations, you can visit our State & Federal information page.
For people who don’t want to give out their addresses there’s a few other options to choose from. You can either sign up with a company like https://jmail.cc/, which will act as a middle hand between you and your penpal. They can be a great option for people who live abroad.
Most prisons also use alternatives like different email systems. If you decide you want to send an email instead of writing a letter and want more information about how it works, you should check out our PRISON EMAIL page.