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Sending mail to someone incarcerated involves more rules than a normal letter — facilities restrict certain items for security reasons, and mail that breaks the rules is often returned, destroyed, or held. This is general guidance based on common facility policies; always confirm the specific rules for the exact facility before sending anything, since they vary by state, county, and even individual institution.
📬 Rules vary by facility. When you unlock a profile on Inmate Connection, we give you the current facility and mailing address so you know exactly where mail is going — but the specific dos and don'ts should always be confirmed with that facility directly, since policies change and vary widely.
Generally Allowed vs. Generally Prohibited
✓ Usually Allowed
- Letters and greeting cards (plain paper, no glitter or stickers)
- A limited number of photos (often printed, not Polaroid)
- Books and magazines — but almost always only shipped directly from the publisher or an approved vendor, not mailed by you personally
- Money, sent through the facility's approved system (like JPay or a money order — never cash in an envelope)
- Stamps, in some facilities — though many now scan mail digitally and don't allow physical stamps at all
✗ Usually Prohibited
- Cash or checks mailed directly in an envelope
- Stickers, glitter, perfume, or scented paper
- Polaroid photos or photos with certain content, at many facilities
- Hardcover books or anything not from an approved vendor
- Anything metallic, sharp, or that could be considered contraband
How to Confirm the Rules for a Specific Facility
- Check the facility or department of corrections website. Most state DOC systems publish a mail policy page with exact rules.
- Look for a central mail scanning notice. Many facilities now scan all incoming mail at an outside processing center rather than the facility itself — meaning original letters and photos may not reach the person directly, only a printed copy.
- Use approved vendors for books and packages. Nearly every facility requires books, magazines, and commissary-style packages to come from a pre-approved vendor, not sent personally.
- When in doubt, keep it simple. Plain paper letters and a few printed photos are accepted almost everywhere and are the safest way to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send money to an inmate?
Usually yes, but almost always only through an approved system like JPay, Access Corrections, or a money order — never cash mailed directly, which is prohibited nearly everywhere and can result in your mail being rejected entirely.
Can I send books to an inmate?
Most facilities allow books, but require them to be shipped directly from the publisher or an approved retailer like Amazon — books you personally mail are typically rejected as a security precaution.
Why was my letter returned?
Common reasons include a missing or incorrect inmate ID number, prohibited materials (stickers, perfume, certain paper types), or a missing return address. Facility-specific rules also change periodically, so a letter that was fine last year might not be now.
Do all facilities scan mail digitally now?
Not all, but it's an increasingly common practice — some facilities scan incoming mail at an outside processing center and deliver only a printed copy, meaning the original letter or photo doesn't reach the person directly.
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