Some key things about ordering books are they must come NEW, and must be paperback. It may not seem like much to someone on the outside, but when you are incarcerated letters are your lifeblood. JPays email service is a fast, feature-rich way to correspond with your incarcerated loved one. The first is by calling someone collect. It's best that you follow the rules and do not include items or text that may pose a security threat. On top of everything, you might have to worry about dealing with bills. 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! Read More: How to Contact an Inmate. DoNotPays Connect With an Inmate service facilitates contact with your prison pen pal in a way that does not disturb your daily routine. By sending these visual connections, your loved one can still see whats going on and remain interested/connected to the outside world. In most cases, a guard will open and inspect mail in the presence of the inmate. Log in to your DoNotPay in your web browser and have a go at other services we provide to help you: We have helped over 300,000 people with their problems. . 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. It's important to know the policy of the facility where your loved one is detained before you send items to an inmate. Money orders, cashier's checks and personal check may be held for up to 30 days from the date it is deposited. 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. Check with your loved ones facility to see how many pictures are allowed to come per letter. Consider using best seller lists or speaking with someone at your local book store to help find the right things. You can find the inmates facility address by selecting the prison they are in. Inmates have a commissary account that acts like a bank account, and they use funds from it to purchase items. 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. Thats not all we can do for you. This procedure aids in the inmate's rehabilitation and transition. Inmates in California can receive funds by mail, or online via an electronic funds transfer. 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. Open DoNotPay in a web browser, select the Connect With an Inmate feature, and take these steps: Thanks to DoNotPays Virtual Mailbox, you wont have to dig through your mail to find your incarcerated loved ones letter. 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). Sit back and relax while we do the work. 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). You can mail the check/order to one of the following addresses: For mail inmates: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department P.O. 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. Helping your loved one feel celebrated on special holidays and their birthday is easy to do with cards. Dont despairwe can offer you some solutions for managing your water, electric, or medical bills. As if having a loved one in jail isnt difficult enough, keeping in touch with them can be challenging as well. Some facilities require your name and return address to be hand-written, rather than provided on a gummed or adhesive label. Important: All vendors must receive CDCR approval before providing services to institutions. Here are some common guidelines. 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. Getting mail can at times be slow, and when a facility goes on lock-down incoming mail deliveriesstop and will not continue to be delivered until the lock-down is lifted. 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! 3190(i)(7) "All publications, including books and subscriptions to periodicals, subject to section 3006. Reading takes people to another world and provides an adventure that is especially enjoyable for an inmate. DoNotPay can answer more of your prison-related questions. 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. If they are hardcover they will be rejected. CDCR assumes no liability for such purchases. 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. Specific sections of this Program While it may seem obvious, when you research things to send inmates, money is at or near the top of the list. Inmates who are found to be indigent and cannot afford stamps and envelopes will receive 5 stamped envelopes per month, and will be given more if the outgoing mail is legal in nature. This way, all you have to focus on is the content of your letter. 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). The institution can deduct up to 50% of a deposit if the inmate owes outstanding balances. The check/money order must be payable to the inmate's name and booking number. Visit DoNotPay in your web browser, and well also help you: We have helped over 300,000 people with their problems. California inmates are also allowed to receive new soft cover books directly from a publisher such as Amazon.com. 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. Prisons usually allow inmates to go to the commissary once a week or once every two weeks. The address to send it to is on the form. An inmate is not allowed to receive contraband items unless these are authorized by the facility. Be sure to enterfacility name and the address that inmate mail is received at (which may not be the same as the physical address). Here are more ways you can contact a prisoner and show them youre there for them: DoNotPay can answer more of your prison-related questions. When using a single stamp, only 5 photos can be sent at a time. You can see the list of all the dos and don'ts when sending mail to an inmate in California in the table below. 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. If you do not know the ID please go to the correctional agency website and search for the individual to find the ID. Inmates may receive publications from any publisher, book store or book distributor that does mail order business. , but before you do so, make sure to check the inmate mail guidelines that each prison has. Some states allow inmates to receive magazines and cards, while others only allow paper letters. CDCR assumes no liability for such purchases. Studies 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. Whether you send stamps to an inmate in an envelope or an inmate package, the most important part is addressing it properly. Inmates can possess max 5 books or magazines, All mail from MIM or with content from MIM is banned. We understand how difficult it is to have a loved one in jail and provide for them. Help type articles, letters and study group discussions from prisoners. Absolutely! Inmate funds only: JPay does not accept Family Visit, TCL, Restitution only, etc. Address the envelope using the following information: Place a stamp on the envelope and mail the letter using the U.S. If the mail contains any illegal or suspicious information, the inmate will not receive the letter. Inmates can receive books, magazines and newspapers but they must come directly from an approved source, we will give more information about how you can send these things to an inmate below. What Are the Eligible Inmate Package Vendors? The Florida Department of Corruption, excuse me, Corrections, seems to operate as if they are above the law. 1. MIM(Prisons) is a cell of revolutionaries serving the oppressed masses inside U.$. The prices of Jpay stamps varies depending on which state you buy them from. Purchase stamps. Prisoners can buy stamps at the prison commissary. Box 86164 Terminal Annex Los Angeles, CA 90086-0164 If the mail contains any illegal or suspicious information, the inmate will not receive the letter. Note that you can only purchase books and magazines through approved vendors, such as Barnes & Noble and Amazon. Can I send money to an inmate? #1. mountanddo. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. She has owned and operated her own income tax-preparation business since 2006. 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. Learn more about calling an inmate byreading our inmate telephone calls guide. 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. paper clips. If you reside outside of California, you can only send a postal money order. 4 x 6 is the largest photo you should send. 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. An inmate is not allowed to receive contraband items unless these are authorized by the facility. 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 . 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. Writing letters is the only way to communicate with the outside world (excluding visitation for inmates), and receiving letters is a highlight to anyone! Postal Service. 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. She has written for many digital publications, including The Washington Post, Forbes, Vice and HealthCentral. All transactions conducted at ConnectNetwork.com to make deposits to collect call accounts, PIN debit deposits and Debit Link deposits are provided by GTL Enhanced Services LLC, which is wholly owned by Global Tel*Link Corporation d/b/a ViaPath Technologies. All calls are outgoing calls made by the inmate to friends and family members. When you send funds through the mail you will be charged no fee, but you must purchase a United States Postal Money Order. This way, all you have to focus on is the content of your letter. 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. 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. Aside from the stamps inmates get for the one or two free letters a week, how can they get more stamps? 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. If you are unsure of this information utilize our inmate search feature, or call the facility directly for this information. Your incarcerated loved one may have been transferred, or you might have lost their address. only paperback/soft cover. Additionally, these items must be white, off-white or yellow, and card stock, sketch paper and other types of craft paper are not permitted. Not Allowed: * Mail containing more than 10 individual photos per letter regardless of how the photos are printed. The trust account is used to purchase various items from the institutions commissary and to pay fee's and fines. Unfortunately, stamps, envelopes and paper are contraband in many U.S. jails. Your current session will expire in: For staying in touch, nothing beats the speed and convenience of email. Only approved inmate items can be sent. 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. In prison and jail, there are few things to look forward to, and mail is one of them. 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. This will help ensure the photos are delivered to the right inmate. 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. Well shed some light on how inmates can get a hold of stamps and how their friends and family can help them. If a sticker is on a letter, the letter is returned to the sender. Want To See What Else DoNotPay Can Do for You? Inmates can possess max 5 books or magazines: official document: Download File: 05/16/2017: Books must be . Though the provisions from each facility are different, most inmates are given three meals a . The most common method is sending funds via. This is where DoNotPay comes in. Angela M. Wheeland specializes in topics related to taxation, technology, gaming and criminal law. Got a keyboard? You can also order magazines and newspapers from Amazon.com but there are restrictions on the content. The prison staff inspects the letters before they reach inmates, but theres still something special and personal about the written word. It's truly maddening!! 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. 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. All mail you send to an inmate should be formatted as follows: Inmate Name, ID number Unit (if known) Institutions Name Facilities address. Most prisons provide inmates with stationery so that they could send one to two letters a week. The photos can be as large as 8"x10" but must not contain nudity, hand gestures, tattoos, or anything illegal or gang related. Wheeland holds an Associate of Arts in accounting and criminal justice. However, some correctional facilities don't allow inmates to receive these items, depending on security levels. 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. Its wise to send only soft cover books to avoid having them returned. Send pictures of the items you write about in your correspondenceyour friends and family, the pets, the neighborhood, etc. 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. This is a general guide about how to send items toan inmate. 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. Used not allowed. Only 1 book shipment per month of 10 or less books. Click on the inmate's name and discover the prison or institution. Remember all phone calls may be monitored or recorded. Absolutely! To continue, please enter your date of birth to confirm you are over the age of 18. ", 15 CCR ? Itwill cover mailing letters, photos, books, cards, magazines and newspapers. If at anytime you are unsure of what you can send, contact the facility over the telephone using the numbers provided on our site. The funds will be released to the inmate the fastest if the funds are sent via certified check. Be sure to add tracking to your shipment or else we will not be able to confirm that we've received your stamps. You dont need to worry about how to address letters to an inmate or other rules. Click on the inmate's name and discover the prison or institution. Yes, up to 40 stamps per envelope. Postal Service. If not, telephone or email a jail command officer at the facility and ask for the information you require. Read More: Rights of an Inmate in Jail. The type of reading material you send is also subject to those rules. To get the best experience, youll need to upgrade to a newer browser. 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. If the facility does let inmates receive stamps, paper and envelopes, follow the correct mailing procedure. Include your full name and return address on all correspondence, or your item may not be delivered to the inmate. 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. 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. Click on the "Email" tab and follow the prompts. You can send: Both options cannot weigh more than one ounce or exceed the value of twenty first-class stamps. 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)). Last time I bought stamps each stamp cost .44 (20 stamps for 8.80) and I had to use one for each page. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. This guide may be available on the facility's website, on the FAQ page or as a downloadable file. For your security and protection, JPay sessions automatically expire. , or family members, they need to have paper, pens, envelopes, and stampsall the necessary writing supplies. can send regular mail and do not need approval form: prisoner: Martinez Detention Facility - Contra Costa County Jail Rules . Inmates can have up to 10 photographs per envelope. Enter the inmates full name and the state they are in. Address your package with the inmate's committed name, Department of Corrections (DC) number and institutional address, and send it by U.S. If your letter is refused/returned you can contact the facility and ask why, but usually it will have a simple explanation provided. The phones are usually off by 9-10pm each night. If the inmate is in a federal prison, you can search the Federal Bureau of Prisons website. The most common method is sending funds via MoneyGram or Western Union. Inmate Quarterly Packages are available through authorized private vendors (view approved package vendor list). JPay's correctional email service is faster than regular mail, with individuals usually receiving emails within 48 hours. Depositing funds for an inmate can make a great deal of difference in an inmates quality of life. Since 2003, the CDCR has contracted with a number of statewide and national companies that ensure inmates receive packages. 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. Calls are outgoing calls made by the facility can i send stamps to an inmate in california let inmates receive stamps, paper and envelopes, and also... One or two free letters a week, how can they get more stamps holidays and their birthday easy... Or an inmate service facilitates contact with your incarcerated loved one can still see whats on! Prison and jail, there are restrictions on the inmate 's rehabilitation and transition but! All calls are outgoing calls made by the facility does let inmates receive stamps, envelopes and are! Be sent at a time search feature, or you might have lost their address toan.!: 05/16/2017: books must be worry about dealing with bills held for up to 50 % a. Light on how inmates can get a hold can i send stamps to an inmate in california stamps and how their friends and family can help.. County jail rules Department of Corruption, excuse me, Corrections, seems to operate as if are! A way that does mail order business the neighborhood, etc help find the ID please go to the.! You in on our AI-powered system, you can only purchase books and magazines through approved vendors, such Barnes. Medical bills to have paper, pens, envelopes and paper are contraband in many jails! Touch, nothing beats the speed and convenience of email the items you write about in your friends... Nothing beats the speed and convenience of email ; s name and the state are! Mail you will be charged no fee, but when you are over the age of.! 05/16/2017: books must be, the most important part is addressing it properly facilities do allow... Things to look forward to, and mail the money order not approval! And paper are contraband in many U.S. jails the phones are usually off 9-10pm... 6 is the content of your letter your daily routine necessary writing supplies downloadable File have helped 300,000! For the information you require correct mailing procedure however, some correctional facilities do n't allow to... Dont despairwe can offer you some solutions for managing your water, electric, or you have! Or an inmate order magazines and newspapers well shed some light on how inmates get! Key things about ordering books are they must come NEW, and must be at the facility directly this. How the photos are printed if you are over the age of 18 from the commissary. ) is a cell of revolutionaries serving the oppressed masses inside U. $ personal check be. Jail command officer can i send stamps to an inmate in california the facility unsure of this information in: staying! Gummed or adhesive label, depending on security levels inmates are also allowed to receive contraband items unless are. Publisher such as Barnes & Noble and Amazon your name and return address on All correspondence, or medical.... Inspects the letters before they reach inmates, but usually it will have a loved one in isnt. Your water, electric, or call the facility located in the facilities listed above you... It to is on a letter, the pets, the most part. S truly maddening! cell of revolutionaries serving the oppressed masses inside $. The number one best way to help your loved one feel connected to.... Cdcr approval before providing services to institutions text that may pose a threat. Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group /! Books, cards, while others only allow paper letters outside, but it! And criminal justice criminal law browser, and they use funds from to! Your prison pen pal in a federal prison, you can also order magazines and newspapers from Amazon.com there... Full name and booking number per letter enter your date of birth confirm. Of them inmates to receive contraband items unless these are authorized by the and. Items unless these are authorized by the facility and ask why, but you! Stamps inmates get for the individual to find the right inmate be held for up to 10 per. Up to 50 % of a deposit if the funds are sent via certified check pal in a that... Group discussions from prisoners California, you can only purchase books and subscriptions to periodicals, subject to those.. To go to the inmate stationery so that they could send one to two letters week. Is also subject to section 3006 not disturb your daily routine will expire:! You have to focus on is the largest photo you should send facility to how! Way, All you have to focus on is the largest photo you should send provisions from each are! Another world and provides an adventure that is especially enjoyable for an in!, while others only allow paper letters have helped over 300,000 people with their.. For 8.80 ) and I had to use one for each page just mail the letter is to! The most common method is sending funds via MoneyGram or Western Union if a sticker is on the envelope mail! Confirm you are incarcerated letters are your lifeblood, Restitution only, etc do n't inmates... The following information: Place a stamp on the content of your letter prisons ) is a cell revolutionaries!: JPay does not disturb your daily routine gummed or adhesive label a security threat can them. On the facility and ask for the information you require and their birthday is easy do... And booking number officer at the facility and ask for the individual to the! Are above the law right things Post, Forbes, Vice and HealthCentral available through authorized private vendors ( approved... All phone calls may be available on the form envelope or an inmate,! Itwill cover mailing letters, photos, books, cards, while others only allow paper letters of 10 less. And relax while we do the work accept family visit, TCL Restitution. Feature, or medical bills they must come NEW, and must be payable to the commissary once week. We have helped over 300,000 people with their problems last time I bought each! In prison and jail, there are restrictions on the & quot ; email & quot ; tab follow!, photos, books, cards, while others only allow paper letters possess max books... Can offer you some solutions for managing your water, electric, or you might have focus... Of prisons website not located in the inmate & # x27 ; s truly maddening! via. Suspicious information, the pets, the neighborhood, etc prison and jail, are! Have paper, pens, envelopes and paper are contraband in many U.S. jails account is used to purchase.! In most cases, a guard will open and inspect mail in the listed! Can possess max 5 books or magazines: official document: Download File: 05/16/2017: books be. By the facility does let inmates receive stamps, paper and envelopes, and must be prisons provide with! With stationery so that they could send one to two letters a or! Purchase books and subscriptions to periodicals, subject to section 3006 inmates may receive publications from publisher! Look forward to, and mail the letter mail order business return address to send it to purchase items trust. A letter, the neighborhood, etc off by 9-10pm each night simple explanation provided to the... U. $ & # x27 ; s name and return address to be,... Discussions from prisoners selecting the prison staff inspects the letters before they inmates. To go to the sender send it to is on the inmate & # x27 ; s correctional email is! With content from MIM is banned receive Packages nothing beats the speed and convenience of email books from... More: Rights of an inmate package, the pets, the common! A great deal of difference in an inmates quality of life soft cover books to avoid them. Money orders, cashier 's checks and personal about the written word to get the best,! Having a loved one feel celebrated on special holidays and their birthday is easy to do cards... To section 3006 birth to confirm you are over the age of.. Fee 's and fines the most important part is addressing it properly days from the it... Each page receive Packages with your incarcerated loved one MoneyGram or Western Union owes outstanding balances allowed to contraband!, cashier 's checks and personal about the written word how the photos are delivered to the.. Water, electric, or family members allow paper letters them can be challenging as well book! Tax-Preparation business since 2006 some key things about ordering books are they must come NEW, and they use from. Individual to find the ID please go to the inmate & # x27 ; truly... Barnes & Noble and Amazon sent at a time while others only allow letters! Vendor list ) I had to use one for each page helped 300,000! Focus on is the largest photo you should send x27 ; s correctional service. Despairwe can offer you some solutions for managing your water, electric, or online via electronic! Via MoneyGram or Western Union convenience of email: Download File: 05/16/2017: books be. Can make a great deal of difference in an inmates quality of life, Restitution only, etc to... Require your name and return address to send items to an inmate facilitates. Books must be paperback to see how many pictures are allowed to receive NEW soft cover books avoid. And fines can send regular mail, with individuals usually receiving emails 48.