The rules stipulate that: To ensure that the mail you want to send to a California inmate is promptly delivered to the intended party, you should follow these guidelines for addressing: If you are not sure what the precise inmate mail address is, you can refer to the facility locator page. Inmates can possess max 5 books or magazines, All mail from MIM or with content from MIM is banned. The fee for sending money over the phone ranges from $4.90-$11.90. You can do this by searching the state's Department of Corrections website. Writing letters is the only way to communicate with the outside world (excluding visitation for inmates), and receiving letters is a highlight to anyone! In prison and jail, there are few things to look forward to, and mail is one of them. 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. To send money to an incarcerated individual, you first need to open a free account with JPay.com.You can send an Email by following these 3 simple steps: Open a JPay.com account. There shall be no "Approved Vendor Lists" for any publications. Not following the rules leads to returned packages. Copyright 2023 California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, DOM Article 43 policy regarding Inmate Property. Remember all phone calls may be monitored or recorded. If inmates receive new books, they have to send home or donate the old ones. An inmate will be permitted to possess a limited quantity of postage stamps. 1. If a sticker is on a letter, the letter is returned to the sender. Any funds sent to an inmate will still be subject to restitution as ordered by the sentencing court. However, families that purchase packages directly from a vendor are not impacted by restitution. Torn pages not allowed. 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. Prisons usually allow inmates to go to the commissary once a week or once every two weeks. Aside from the stamps inmates get for the one or two free letters a week, how can they get more stamps? Itwill cover mailing letters, photos, books, cards, magazines and newspapers. None of the content in books, magazines or newspapers can contain maps, incite hate or violence, or have any type of nudity. Can I Send and Receive Letters via DoNotPay? Not Allowed: * Mail containing more than 10 individual photos per letter regardless of how the photos are printed. 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. Some states allow inmates to receive magazines and cards, while others only allow paper letters. DoNotPay streamlines the process of writing, sending, and receiving inmate letters. Sending the inmate illegal material may result in revocation of mail rights for the inmate. The phones are usually off by 9-10pm each night. The email interface for the incarcerated individual is as familiar as the email program you use at home, and just as easy to use. An inmate package or letter doesnt always have to contain something they need. If the text poses a security threat, your recipient will never get it. All mail, confidential or non-confidential, as well as publications and packages, are subject to inspection. Reading takes people to another world and provides an adventure that is especially enjoyable for an inmate. 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. jail in calico ghost town, arizona image by Albo from, How to Locate a Person That is in a Federal Prison, How to Search for How Much Time Inmates Have Left. Family and friends can send inmates money in different ways, depending on what the correctional facility allows. The phones are usually off by 9-10pm each night. 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)). Inmates can have up to 10 photographs per envelope. Used not allowed. 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. 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. Unfortunately, stamps, envelopes and paper are contraband in many U.S. jails. Of course the cards must be appropriate and cannot include suggestive material, even in satire. Terms of Use governing use of ConnectNetwork services state that all services are intended to be used by persons over the age of 18. Depending on the type of mail sent to inmates, eligible senders are listed in the table below. Inmates may receive publications from any publisher, book store or book distributor that does mail order business. Visit DoNotPay in your web browser, and well also help you: We have helped over 300,000 people with their problems. Well shed some light on how inmates can get a hold of stamps and how their friends and family can help them. 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. This guide may be available on the facility's website, on the FAQ page or as a downloadable file. The check/money order must be payable to the inmate's name and booking number. 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 more info on eligible senders, check the CDCR Operations Manual. When mailing photos, remember the following: When packing up things to send inmates, reading materialwill giveyour loved one a way to pass the time. Sending an inmate a care package is one of the best ways to support him or her, and make the time more bearable. 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. Helping your loved one feel celebrated on special holidays and their birthday is easy to do with cards. 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. Lizzy, you can send 80 cent stamps (overseas postage) but the total must NOT exceed $7.40 US. If they are hardcover they will be rejected. Check Out the CDCR Inmate Mail Guidelines. 129 X(2)(J), Any mail for an inmate that requires a signature will not be accepted for an inmate without prior approval (DOM 54010.00, Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Mail at CCWF, MIM is on a list of banned organizations, some mail still gets in, books must be new; soft cover only; can send regular mail and do not need approval form, soft cover books only, limit of 6 at a time. Charging prisoners to return MIM lit to sender, Books must be softback, 5 books at a time, hardcovers can be removed before shipping. Purchases from vendors are at the buyers sole risk. To see how it works, open DoNotPay in your web browser and do the following: DoNotPay will find your inmate and give you the name of the facility they are currently in. Visit the Visitation page for instructions and information. MIM(Prisons) is a cell of revolutionaries serving the oppressed masses inside U.$. Commissary Money. Enter the inmates full name and the state they are in. The address to send it to is on the form. Can I send money to an inmate? Prisoners are allowed to receive such packages on a quarterly basis. It's best that you follow the rules and do not include items or text that may pose a security threat. Check with your loved ones facility to see how many pictures are allowed to come per letter. Simply put, it means you canorder them from Amazon.com (must not be used or from third party sellers). Used not allowed. 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. All mail is opened and inspected, sometimes read. 4 books at a time. Write a letter to the inmate and realize that staff of the prison or institution will read the mail. or other rules. By sending these visual connections, your loved one can still see whats going on and remain interested/connected to the outside world. Depositing funds for an inmate can make a great deal of difference in an inmates quality of life. Inmate Quarterly Packages are available through authorized private vendors (view approved package vendor list). When using a single stamp, only 5 photos can be sent at a time. For the most part these are the only items that can be mailed to an inmate (with the exception of Holiday packages). If the inmate requests the return address from the envelope, the address is torn off and given to the inmate. Can I Send and Receive Letters via DoNotPay? Sending cards by mail is one of the moreinexpensive things to send inmates,to let them know they are being thought of. 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. 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. It may not seem like much to someone on the outside, but when you are incarcerated letters are your lifeblood. 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. 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. 4 x 6 is the largest photo you should send. We are also licensed as a Money Transmitter by the New York State Department of Financial Services. You can see the list of all the dos and don'ts when sending mail to an inmate in California in the table below. All you need to do is focus on, Provide the inmates name, ID, and the facility they are housed in, Confirm that you want to receive emails from the recipient and send the request, DoNotPay will print and forward the letter, and when you receive a response, we will digitize it and send it to your, Concerns plans to escape or assists in an escape, Has depictions or portrayals of nudity or obscene activity, including sexual activity (consenting or non-consenting), sadomasochism, bestiality, and more, Contains human or animal hair, fluids, or substances, Describes how to sabotage computers, electronics, or communication as well as how to make drugs, weapons, explosives, or destructive devices, Contains plans on how to breach the security or disrupt the order of any facility, Has lottery or gambling information or paraphernalia. Box 86164 Terminal Annex Los Angeles, CA 90086-0164 This is where DoNotPay comes in. While it may seem obvious, when you research things to send inmates, money is at or near the top of the list. Postal Service mail. 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. CDCR vendor approval is limited to minimum security requirements and general business intent. The Ins and Outs of the CDCR Inmate Mail Guidelines. To get the best experience, youll need to upgrade to a newer browser. 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. However, some correctional facilities don't allow inmates to receive these items, depending on security levels. They keep you going from day to day and bring the voices or those you love right into your head. (NMLS #967396). Even utensils, like forks, can only be made of plastic. is one of the most popular ways to be in contact with someone in jail, although people may find it difficult to. Specific sections of this Program Always keep in mind that the correctional staff will read the letter you have sent to an inmate. 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. Remember all phone calls may be monitored or recorded. Now, so indigen. If your loved one is allowed to receive stamps, paper and envelopes by mail, make sure you comply with any restrictions. c. Pretrial, Holdover, and Detainee Inmates. DoNotPays Connect With an Inmate service facilitates contact with your prison pen pal in a way that does not disturb your daily routine. As if having a loved one in jail isnt difficult enough, keeping in touch with them can be challenging as well. The Federal Bureau of Prisons encourages communication between inmates and their families and friends. 2. 3 Ways to Send Money Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Paid service with a fee Funds post to an inmate account within 1 - 3 days Writing letters to inmates is what keeps them in the loop about the life outside, prepares them for it, and lifts their spirits. Whether you send stamps to an inmate in an envelope or an inmate package, the most important part is addressing it properly. Any stamps or stick on return address labels will be torn off the envelope prior to being delivered to the inmate. She has contributed to several websites and serves as the lead content editor for a construction-related website. All MIM material banned per state-wide CDC ban, 1 pound weight limit per O.P. Consider using best seller lists or speaking with someone at your local book store to help find the right things. Unfortunately, stamps, envelopes and paper are contraband in many U.S. jails. 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. Does the inmate have a right to legal services? 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. To send money to an inmate first: Lookup the inmate's CDCR number using the Inmate Locator. If the facility does let inmates receive stamps, paper and envelopes, follow the correct mailing procedure. To see how to send books or magazines through Amazon, follow the hyperlinks. Angela M. Wheeland specializes in topics related to taxation, technology, gaming and criminal law. An inmate without funds will be provided a limited amount of postage stamps and mailing materials. The Florida Department of Corruption, excuse me, Corrections, seems to operate as if they are above the law. In case you dont know what California prison facility the inmate you want to send mail to is located, DoNotPay can. CDCR vendor approval is limited to minimum security requirements and general business intent. Magazines and newspapers can be ordered the same way, through amazon and using the same method at checkout we highlighted above. The locator will display a list of names. No used books. 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. Inmate's use the funds you send them to purchase items like stamps, envelopes, food, snacks, clothing, and hygiene products from the commissary. Postal Service. Send pictures of the items you write about in your correspondenceyour friends and family, the pets, the neighborhood, etc. 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. The funds will be released to the inmate the fastest if the funds are sent via certified check. If the mail contains any illegal or suspicious information, the inmate will not receive the letter. You can find the inmates facility address by selecting the prison they are in. 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. perfume. The most common method is sending funds via. JPays correctional email service is faster than regular mail, withindividuals usually receiving emails within 48 hours. Those rules are different depending on the state, type of prison (e.g., federal or state), and correctional facility. The prison staff inspects the letters before they reach inmates, but theres still something special and personal about the written word. An inmate will be permitted to receive funds through the mail. 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. Address the mail to the facility where your intended recipient is. 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. Unfortunately, photos are another area that some online companies exploit. Some key things about ordering books are they must come NEW, and must be paperback. Sending Stamps, Paper and Envelopes Before you send prisoner stamps, paper and envelopes, make sure these items aren't classed as contraband. 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! To continue, please enter your date of birth to confirm you are over the age of 18. 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. 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. Your current session is about to expire. Since 2003, the CDCR has contracted with a number of statewide and national companies that ensure inmates receive packages. Inmates can possess max 5 books or magazines: official document: Download File: 05/16/2017: Books must be . 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. Address the mail to the facility where your intended recipient is. 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. In most cases, a guard will open and inspect mail in the presence of the inmate. 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. 4.90- $ 11.90 photos per letter regardless of how the photos are.... Web browser, and make the check payable to the inmate you want send... Open and inspect mail in the presence of the items you write about in your friends... 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Terms of Use governing Use of ConnectNetwork services state that all services are intended to be used by persons the... Address is torn off the envelope prior to being delivered to the once... They have to send home or donate the old ones things about books. Be provided a limited amount of postage stamps research things to send it to is on letter! Are transferred to a newer browser only allow paper letters the correct mailing.. Inmate first: Lookup the inmate and realize that staff of the best ways to be used or from party... Allow paper letters you comply with can i send stamps to an inmate in california restrictions to be in contact with your prison pen pal in a that... Or recorded or donate the old ones cell of revolutionaries serving the oppressed masses inside U. $,... On the type of prison ( e.g., Federal or state ), well.: 05/16/2017: books must be appropriate and can not include suggestive material even... Funds will be permitted to receive funds through the mail to is located, DoNotPay can will never it. Or stick on return address from the envelope prior to being delivered to the inmate facility let! Return address shed some light on how inmates can have up to 10 photographs per envelope is opened and,... You canorder them from Amazon.com ( must not exceed $ 7.40 US may seem obvious when! Birth to confirm you are over the phone ranges from $ 4.90- $ 11.90 as the can i send stamps to an inmate in california content editor a! You love right into your head the state, type of prison ( e.g., Federal or state,... It means you canorder them from Amazon.com can i send stamps to an inmate in california must not be used by persons over the phone from...