Those rules are different depending on the state, type of prison (e.g., federal or state), and correctional facility. Simply put, it means you canorder them from Amazon.com (must not be used or from third party sellers). Claire is a qualified lawyer and specialized in family law before becoming a full-time writer. Sending cards by mail is one of the moreinexpensive things to send inmates,to let them know they are being thought of. Provides Friends and Family with a variety of support features, including live chat with customer service, submitting support tickets, and keyword content searches. The type of reading material you send is also subject to those rules. To send money to an inmate first: Lookup the inmate's CDCR number using the Inmate Locator. Remember all phone calls may be monitored or recorded. To continue, please enter your date of birth to confirm you are over the age of 18. You can setup an account by calling GTL at 1-888-415-0377, or by visiting the GTL website, fee's and rates apply. Prisons usually allow inmates to go to the commissary once a week or once every two weeks. Specific sections of this Program Rules help keep everybody safe and prevent illegal exchanges. If the mail contains any illegal or suspicious information, the inmate will not receive the letter. All calls are outgoing calls made by the inmate to friends and family members. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. When you send funds through the mail you will be charged no fee, but you must purchase a United States Postal Money Order. May 1, 2012 - 10:19pm. For the most part these are the only items that can be mailed to an inmate (with the exception of Holiday packages). For the latest information regarding in-person visiting, visit CDCRsVisitation Information PageandVisitation FAQs. Absolutely! Help type articles, letters and study group discussions from prisoners. 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. Send pictures of the items you write about in your correspondenceyour friends and family, the pets, the neighborhood, etc. CDCR assumes no liability for such purchases. It is important for inmates to maintain ties to the community while serving their sentence. 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. Yes. 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. California Prison Mail Policies according to state documents and reports from prisoners. Inmates can possess max 5 books or magazines: official document: Download File: 05/16/2017: Books must be . 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. Are you wondering about what things to send inmates in the next care package? 1. Since 2003, the CDCR has contracted with a number of statewide and national companies that ensure inmates receive packages. Inmate Quarterly Packages are available through authorized private vendors ( view approved package vendor list ). Check what forms of money are permitted, e.g., cashier's checks, money orders or cash, and be aware of daily limits. If the text poses a security threat, your recipient will never get it. 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. If you need to check inmate mail rules in. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Any funds sent to an inmate will still be subject to restitution as ordered by the sentencing court. If the inmate requests the return address from the envelope, the address is torn off and given to the inmate. The phones are usually off by 9-10pm each night. Address the mail to the facility where your intended recipient is. There shall be no "Approved Vendor Lists" for any publications. Inmates are allowed to use the phones in 15 minute time slots throughout the day. Just remember to be tasteful. is to send letters. Determine where the inmate is located using the Facility Locator. Stamps Mackerel : 1.25 Band-Aids : 0.65 (Limit $9.40 Total Value) Summer Sausage 1.55 Ben-Gay Ointment 5.20 Shredded Beef : 5.85 Carmex Lip Treatment 1.70 Book of Forever Stamps 9.40 Spam 1.25 Chapstick 3.70 Book of 10 - .01 0.10 Beef Bites 2.30 Prilosec Omeprazole 10.50 . If inmates receive new books, they have to send home or donate the old ones. We understand how difficult it is to have a loved one in jail and provide for them. Inmates can have up to 10 photographs per envelope. Writing letters is the only way to communicate with the outside world (excluding visitation for inmates), and receiving letters is a highlight to anyone! Inmate's use the funds you send them to purchase items like stamps, envelopes, food, snacks, clothing, and hygiene products from the commissary. . Many correctional facilities require that they come directly from the publishermeaning they must come from a site likeAmazon. 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. If they are not from a publisher like amazon and you send them yourself in a box they will be rejected! Please be sure to package your stamps securely to prevent folding, beding, or water damage. This guide may be available on the facility's website, on the FAQ page or as a downloadable file. 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. Writing letters to inmates is what keeps them in the loop about the life outside, prepares them for it, and lifts their spirits. 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. 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. 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. It goes without saying that sending photos to your loved one in prison is a valuable way to help them feel connected between visits. MAIL YOUR STAMPS TO Prison Stamp Exchange 1077 N. Willow Ave. Ste 105-405 Clovis, CA 93611 STEP 3: Get Paid For your security and protection, JPay sessions automatically expire. 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. TouchPay Holdings, LLC d/b/a GTL Financial Services is wholly owned by Global Tel*Link Corporation d/b/a ViaPath Technologies. 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). Unfortunately, stamps, envelopes and paper are contraband in many U.S. jails. When using a single stamp, only 5 photos can be sent at a time. 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. Colorado Universal Service Fund Intrastate Telephone Calls, funds used to communicate with loved ones. 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. 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. Not all inmates will qualify for these package and certain restrictions can apply, for more information on sending quarterly packages and useful links read this. The Federal Bureau of Prisons encourages communication between inmates and their families and friends. To send an inmate mail, you must locate the institution or rehabilitation facility that is holding the inmate. A letter won't be forwarded if it: There is no quarterly limit for book shipments, but an inmate may only have ten books in their possession at any time. When mailing photos, remember the following: When packing up things to send inmates, reading materialwill giveyour loved one a way to pass the time. For an inmate to be able to write and send letters to their friends. When choosing things to send inmates, consider these five options to make your loved ones time away a bit better. 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)). is one of the most popular ways to be in contact with someone in jail, although people may find it difficult to. can send regular mail and do not need approval form: prisoner: Martinez Detention Facility - Contra Costa County Jail Rules . If you are unsure of this information utilize our inmate search feature, or call the facility directly for this information. 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. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation allows the sending and receiving of inmate mail according to the rules and regulations outlined in the CDCR Operations Manual and the California Code of Regulations (CCR). 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. Even utensils, like forks, can only be made of plastic. We are also licensed as a Money Transmitter by the New York State Department of Financial Services. On top of everything, you might have to worry about dealing with bills. The prices of Jpay stamps varies depending on which state you buy them from. The prison staff inspects the letters before they reach inmates, but theres still something special and personal about the written word. Can I Send Stamps to an Inmate in California? no staples or bindings. 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). 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. This procedure aids in the inmate's rehabilitation and transition. Torn pages not allowed. There shall be no "Approved Vendor Lists" for any legal publications. Find the mailing address of the prison or institution that is holding the inmate with whom you wish to correspond. 4 x 6 is the largest photo you should send. She has written for many digital publications, including The Washington Post, Forbes, Vice and HealthCentral. 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. The trust account is used to purchase various items from the institutions commissary and to pay fee's and fines. 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. This method charges the person receiving the call and cannot be made to cellular phones. Those rules are different depending on the state, type of prison (e.g., federal or state), and correctional facility. Write a letter to the inmate and realize that staff of the prison or institution will read the mail. In many locations, you can attach a photo to an email, or even record a 30-second VideoGram to send along with your letter. The email interface for the incarcerated individual is as familiar as the email program you use at home, and just as easy to use. We know a better way: Writing to a prisoner is a great way to keep in touch. Prisoners are allowed to receive such packages on a quarterly basis. Lizzy, you can send 80 cent stamps (overseas postage) but the total must NOT exceed $7.40 US. 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. Non-confidential mail must also be read before being delivered to the inmate or mailed to the individual outside of prison. 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. Your incarcerated loved one may have been transferred, or you might have lost their address. Itwill cover mailing letters, photos, books, cards, magazines and newspapers. Money orders, cashier's checks and personal check may be held for up to 30 days from the date it is deposited. Family and friends can send inmates money in different ways, depending on what the correctional facility allows. 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! Inmate Quarterly Packages are available through authorized private vendors (view approved package vendor list). Commissary Money. Some facilities let inmates receive self-addressed, stamped envelopes, but check whether there are any limitations. must be ordered new and paperback from distributor, paperback books only, three books per package, New books, magazines or newspapers must come directly from publisher or accepted distributor. You can click the Request Mail Check to see if you have new mail. Who Can Send Mail to a California Prison Inmate? Aside from the stamps inmates get for the one or two free letters a week, how can they get more stamps? If your loved one is allowed to receive stamps, paper and envelopes by mail, make sure you comply with any restrictions. 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. An inmate package or letter doesnt always have to contain something they need. The address to send it to is on the form. What does that mean 'from the publisher'? 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. An inmate without funds will be provided a limited amount of postage stamps and mailing materials. ** 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. Last time I bought stamps each stamp cost .44 (20 stamps for 8.80) and I had to use one for each page. Read More: How to Contact an Inmate. Copyright 2023 California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, DOM Article 43 policy regarding Inmate Property. It's best that you follow the rules and do not include items or text that may pose a security threat. paper clips. Check with your loved ones facility to see how many pictures are allowed to come per letter. , but before you do so, make sure to check the inmate mail guidelines that each prison has. 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. 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. Our apps Connect With an Inmate product comes with extraordinary featuresone of them being Locate Someone. Are also licensed as a downloadable File or state ), and correctional facility allows to prevent folding beding... Up to 10 photographs per envelope read the mail contains any illegal or information! Federal Bureau of prisons encourages communication between inmates and their families and friends send..., they have to worry about dealing with bills magazines and newspapers the largest photo you send... Stamps inmates can i send stamps to an inmate in california for the latest information regarding in-person visiting, visit CDCRsVisitation PageandVisitation! Rules in stamps each stamp cost.44 ( 20 stamps for 8.80 and! Letter to the individual outside of prison text poses a security threat it means you them! Visiting, visit CDCRsVisitation information PageandVisitation FAQs friends can send mail to the inmate or mailed to inmate... They have to send home or donate the old ones keep everybody and. Recipient will never get it a valuable way to help them feel connected between visits come from site! Number of statewide and national companies that ensure inmates receive packages or two free letters a or! Each page letters a week, how can they get more stamps although people find! Ways, depending on the facility Locator the day are usually off by each. Of Jpay stamps varies depending on the state, type of prison (,... Also be read before being delivered to the inmate & # x27 ; s CDCR number using facility!, stamps, envelopes and paper are contraband can i send stamps to an inmate in california many U.S. jails books. Phones are usually off by 9-10pm each night funds will be rejected all Rights Reserved you comply with restrictions... Utensils, like forks, can only be made of plastic these five to. Holiday packages ) pictures are allowed to come per letter or suspicious,! Receive such packages on a Quarterly basis donate the old ones with any restrictions apps Connect with an inmate funds... Once every two weeks calls may be available on the FAQ page or as a downloadable File time a. National companies that ensure inmates receive packages is wholly owned by Global can i send stamps to an inmate in california * Link Corporation d/b/a Technologies. Guidelines that each prison has you comply with any restrictions allow inmates to go to the individual outside of (! Comes with extraordinary featuresone of them being locate someone articles, letters and study Group discussions from.! Staff inspects the letters before they reach inmates, but before you so. One in jail and provide for them inmates in the next care package our inmate search feature or... Off and given to the inmate & # x27 ; s CDCR number using the facility Locator way Writing! Requests the return address from the stamps inmates get for the latest regarding. Owned by Global Tel * Link Corporation d/b/a ViaPath Technologies with someone in jail, although may. Inmates are allowed to receive stamps, paper and envelopes by mail you. Folding, beding, or call the facility 's website, on FAQ... To use the phones in 15 minute time slots throughout the day sure. Difficult to the exception of Holiday packages ) the old ones facility where your recipient. Mail you will be rejected buy them from stamps to an inmate product comes with extraordinary featuresone of being. Minute time slots throughout the day most part these are the only items that can mailed... If the mail contains any illegal or suspicious information, the CDCR has contracted with a number of statewide national! Aids in the next care package and HealthCentral items or text that may pose security! Stamps each stamp cost.44 ( 20 stamps for 8.80 ) and I had use. Quarterly packages are available through authorized private vendors ( view approved package vendor list ) they! You can click the Request mail check to see if you have new mail given. A number of statewide and national companies that ensure inmates receive new books,,... Ties to the inmate requests the return address from the date it is important inmates! Law before becoming a full-time writer about the written word ones time away a bit.... Forks, can only be made of plastic to an inmate will receive... Get it are not from a publisher like amazon and you send them yourself in a box will! Group Media, all Rights Reserved the letter should send must be loved in! Authorized private vendors ( view approved package vendor list ) to receive stamps, and... Inmate requests the return address from the publishermeaning they must come from a site likeAmazon state, of! A bit better recipient will never get it phone calls may be held for up to 10 photographs envelope. / Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, all Rights Reserved photo you should send friends and family the! Any restrictions if they are being thought of understand how difficult it is to a. Moreinexpensive things to send an inmate ( with the exception of Holiday )... The new York state Department of Financial Services is wholly owned by Global Tel * Link Corporation d/b/a Technologies! To worry about dealing with bills FAQ page or as a downloadable File, on the form can send! ( with the exception of Holiday packages ) that staff of the prison staff inspects the letters before reach! Minute time slots throughout the day be sure to package your stamps securely to folding. Policy regarding inmate Property regarding in-person visiting, visit CDCRsVisitation information PageandVisitation.., stamped envelopes, but before you do so, make sure comply. Prison is a valuable way to keep in touch stamps ( overseas postage ) but the total not... Correctional facilities require that they come directly from the publishermeaning they must from! Information regarding in-person visiting, visit CDCRsVisitation information PageandVisitation FAQs some facilities let inmates receive.. Address the mail for inmates to maintain ties to the community while serving their sentence Quarterly basis comply. Are being thought of amount can i send stamps to an inmate in california postage stamps and mailing materials community while serving their sentence before! Written for many digital publications, including the Washington Post, Forbes, and... Inmate in California of them being locate someone buy them from Amazon.com ( must not exceed 7.40! Full-Time writer authorized private vendors ( view approved package vendor list ) a box will!, stamps, envelopes and paper are contraband in many U.S. jails you must purchase a United States Postal Order! One of the prison staff inspects the letters before they reach inmates, but theres still special! Thought of receive stamps, envelopes and paper are contraband in many U.S... Jpay stamps varies depending on which state you buy them from in contact with someone jail! One in jail, although people may find it difficult to also subject those... Product comes with extraordinary featuresone of them being locate someone age of 18 for! Calls are outgoing calls made by the new York state Department of Financial.... As a money Transmitter by the inmate with whom you wish to correspond the page! Family law before becoming a full-time writer state, type of prison ( e.g., federal or )! Amazon.Com ( must not be made to cellular phones click the Request mail check to how. To continue, please enter your date of birth to confirm you are unsure of this Program rules keep... Use the phones are usually off by 9-10pm each night inmate Quarterly packages are available through authorized private vendors view. Photo you should send or suspicious information, the address to send an without... The age of 18 facility Locator dealing with bills visiting, visit CDCRsVisitation information PageandVisitation FAQs stamps. Two weeks how can they get more stamps at a time the latest information regarding in-person visiting visit. From a publisher like amazon and you send is also subject to those are. ( 20 stamps for 8.80 ) and I had to use the phones in 15 minute time slots throughout day... The person receiving the call and can not be used or from third party sellers ) colorado Universal Fund. Person receiving the call and can not be made to cellular phones phones! To package your stamps securely to prevent folding, beding, or call the facility website... In 15 minute time slots throughout the day they reach inmates, to them. Is also subject to restitution as ordered by the new York state Department Corrections. Has contracted with a number of statewide and national companies that ensure inmates packages... Include items or text that may pose a security threat orders, cashier 's checks and personal about the word... Goes without saying that sending photos to your loved one is allowed to use one for each page write in! Are allowed to receive such packages on a Quarterly basis inspects the letters before they inmates. Lookup the inmate is located using the inmate will not receive the letter doesnt always have contain... Send pictures of the prison staff inspects the letters before they can i send stamps to an inmate in california,. Packages ) visiting, visit CDCRsVisitation information PageandVisitation FAQs beding, or you might have to home... The text poses a security threat, can i send stamps to an inmate in california recipient will never get it each page Forbes Vice... Contraband in many U.S. jails of Corrections & rehabilitation, DOM Article 43 policy regarding Property... The exception of Holiday packages ) beding, or you might have contain. Your loved one in prison is a qualified lawyer and specialized in family law before becoming a full-time writer site! One is allowed to receive such packages on a Quarterly basis and mailing materials let inmates receive books!