Inmate Quarterly Packages are available through authorized private vendors ( view approved package vendor list ). These two combine in a way that you and your correspondent have a unique experienceyou will be sending and receiving emails, whereas they will be handling printed and written letters. 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. Keep in mind that rules are in place to ensure that the items sent from outside are not contraband. There were many reports on drug smuggling in envelopes and under postage stamps, which is why some prisons dont accept mailed stamps. Are you wondering about what things to send inmates in the next care package? Inmates can possess max 5 books or magazines: official document: Download File: 05/16/2017: Books must be . Include the inmates booking number on the check or money order, and make it payable to the inmate. Can I Send and Receive Letters via DoNotPay? At no time should you attempt to mail an inmate anything else, such as jewelery, personal items etc, as they will likely be confiscated as contraband. 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. prisons, guided by the communist ideology of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism. is one of the most popular ways to be in contact with someone in jail, although people may find it difficult to. In case you dont know what California prison facility the inmate you want to send mail to is located, DoNotPay can. Visit the Visitation page for instructions and information. 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. The institution can deduct up to 50% of a deposit if the inmate owes outstanding balances. Inmates may receive private correspondence, confidential mail, periodicals, and packages, All outgoing and incoming mail must be opened and inspected (non-confidential mail is read as well), If you are not sure what the precise inmate mail address is, you can refer to the. Remember, when sending items to an inmate it is best to send a letter first. Check with your loved ones facility to see how many pictures are allowed to come per letter. If you reside outside of California, you can only send a postal money order. TouchPay Holdings, LLC d/b/a GTL Financial Services is wholly owned by Global Tel*Link Corporation d/b/a ViaPath Technologies. If a sticker is on a letter, the letter is returned to the sender. What Are the Eligible Inmate Package Vendors? Here are some common guidelines. It may not seem like much to someone on the outside, but when you are incarcerated letters are your lifeblood. Please note the CDCRNumber is the California Department of Corrections Number. If inmates receive new books, they have to send home or donate the old ones. Write a letter to the inmate and realize that staff of the prison or institution will read the mail. 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. 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. Please be sure to package your stamps securely to prevent folding, beding, or water damage. Money orders, cashier's checks and personal check may be held for up to 30 days from the date it is deposited. Only 1 book shipment per month of 10 or less books. 3190(i)(2) "Legal Material, including legal reference material, books, and legal pads not available in the institution canteen, pursuant to section 3161. You will need to make the check payable to the inmates full name and ID number and include your complete name and return address. Since 2003, the CDCR has contracted with a number of statewide and national companies that ensure inmates receive packages. Those rules are different depending on the state, type of prison (e.g., federal or state), and correctional facility. 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. The funds will be released to the inmate the fastest if the funds are sent via certified check. Purchases from vendors are at the buyers sole risk. Adding a personal touch with holiday and special occasions templates, DoNotPay is convenient to use with only a few simple steps to follow before we mail your letter. 4 x 6 is the largest photo you should send. Used not allowed. Check Out the CDCR Inmate Mail Guidelines. 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. 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 You can also order magazines and newspapers from Amazon.com but there are restrictions on the content. This is where DoNotPay comes in. Provides Friends and Family with a variety of support features, including live chat with customer service, submitting support tickets, and keyword content searches. To see how to send books or magazines through Amazon, follow the hyperlinks. The inmates first and last name and their Inmate ID number, Stamps could be considered contraband in some jurisdictions, such as. This way, all you have to focus on is the content of your letter. Inmates are also allowed to receive cards, but they must not contain electronics, nudity or anything offensive in nature. State laws differ regarding the materials inmates can receive through the mail. 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. 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. It's truly maddening!! Pictures must not contain nudity, violent acts and/or gang-related signs or activities. If you can afford to do so, sending your loved one even $20 a month can dramatically improve their time while incarcerated. 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. The Federal Bureau of Prisons encourages communication between inmates and their families and friends. 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. You can send: Both options cannot weigh more than one ounce or exceed the value of twenty first-class stamps. 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. 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 method charges the person receiving the call and cannot be made to cellular phones. The trust account is used to purchase various items from the institutions commissary and to pay fee's and fines. Reading takes people to another world and provides an adventure that is especially enjoyable for an inmate. Address the mail to the facility where your intended recipient is. An inmate is not allowed to receive contraband items unless these are authorized by the facility. If the inmate requests the return address from the envelope, the address is torn off and given to the inmate. CDCR vendor approval is limited to minimum security requirements and general business intent. 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. 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. Address the envelope using the following information: Place a stamp on the envelope and mail the letter using the U.S. Depending on the type of mail sent to inmates, eligible senders are listed in the table below. Dont despairwe can offer you some solutions for managing your water, electric, or medical bills. Sending books and magazines to an inmate is fairly simple. 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. In other words, if an offender has too many books they will need to either donate/give some away or they will not be allowed to have any additional. 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)). On top of everything, you might have to worry about dealing with bills. Inmates are allowed to use the phones in 15 minute time slots throughout the day. As if having a loved one in jail isnt difficult enough, keeping in touch with them can be challenging as well. We understand how difficult it is to have a loved one in jail and provide for them. Visit DoNotPay in your web browser, and well also help you: We have helped over 300,000 people with their problems. Postal Service. Of course the cards must be appropriate and cannot include suggestive material, even in satire. JPays email service is a fast, feature-rich way to correspond with your incarcerated loved one. Your current session will expire in: For staying in touch, nothing beats the speed and convenience of email. 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. Postal Service. In prison and jail, there are few things to look forward to, and mail is one of them. Unfortunately, photos are another area that some online companies exploit. Important: All vendors must receive CDCR approval before providing services to institutions. Inmates are allowed to use the phones in 15 minute time slots throughout the day. 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. If a sticker is on an envelope, the inmate is given the letter inside, but not the envelope. Absolutely! Sending the inmate illegal material may result in revocation of mail rights for the inmate. or other rules. You can do this by searching the state's Department of Corrections website. If your loved one is allowed to receive stamps, paper and envelopes by mail, make sure you comply with any restrictions. The phones are usually off by 9-10pm each night. CDCR vendor approval is limited to minimum security requirements and general business intent. For the most part these are the only items that can be mailed to an inmate (with the exception of Holiday packages). Important: All vendors must receive CDCR approval before providing services to institutions. If a prisoner wants to send letters more often, they need to bear the cost of stamps and other essential items. Purchase stamps. Copyright 2023 California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, DOM Article 43 policy regarding Inmate Property. You can find the inmates facility address by selecting the prison they are in. Some important things to remember when sending books, magazines or newspapers to an inmate: You can send holiday and birthday cards to an inmate but they must not have any electronics or popup/out content. For your security and protection, JPay sessions automatically expire. DoNotPays Connect With an Inmate service facilitates contact with your prison pen pal in a way that does not disturb your daily routine. The photos can be as large as 8"x10" but must not contain nudity, hand gestures, tattoos, or anything illegal or gang related. The funds in an inmate's account will also follow the inmate if they are transferred to a different facility or are released. 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. Inmates have a commissary account that acts like a bank account, and they use funds from it to purchase items. 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. Sending an inmate a care package is one of the best ways to support him or her, and make the time more bearable. You can setup an account by calling GTL at 1-888-415-0377, or by visiting the GTL website, fee's and rates apply. Who Can Send Mail to a California Prison Inmate? Sending physical mail can often be even more special to an inmate. This is a general guide about how to send items toan inmate. CDCR assumes no liability for such purchases. Inmates incarcerated in California may receive allowable items from anyone who is not currently incarcerated, or anyone who has not been released within the past year. 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. Your current session is about to expire. Only approved inmate items can be sent. By sending these visual connections, your loved one can still see whats going on and remain interested/connected to the outside world. What does that mean 'from the publisher'? Unfortunately, stamps, envelopes and paper are contraband in many U.S. jails. 1. 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. You can find the inmates facility address by selecting the prison they are in. California inmates are also allowed to receive new soft cover books directly from a publisher such as Amazon.com. To continue, please enter your date of birth to confirm you are over the age of 18. The phones are usually off by 9-10pm each night. 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. Prisons usually allow inmates to go to the commissary once a week or once every two weeks. Inmates may receive up to 10 pages at a time, the pages can be drawings, a child's school work, articles cut from a newspaper or magazine, but may not contain glue, stickers, glitter or any other embellishments such as lipstick perfume etc. Place a stamp on the envelope and mail the letter using the U.S. Before we let you in on our AI-powered system, you may need to find an inmate to write to. 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