Federal prisoners are permitted to receive mail during their incarceration. This mail can be sent from virtually anyone outside of prison (e.g., friends, family, businesses, etc.).
Prisoners are generally prohibited from communicating with prisoners in other facilities unless they are either co-defendants or immediate family members. Due to contraband regulations, prisoners must sign an agreement with the Federal Bureau of Prisons to permit prison employees to open and inspect all incoming mail for contraband prior to delivery.
While incoming mail is searched by prison staffers and delivered every weekday, outbound mail is handled differently depending on the security level of the prison. Prisoners housed at medium- and high-security federal prisons are not permitted to seal their mail prior to dropping it in the mailbox in the housing unit. Instead, prison staff inspects all letters for contraband and other rule infractions prior to sealing it. Those housed at low- and minimum-security federal prisons are permitted to seal their own outbound mail.
Writing to an Inmate
There are no limits to the number of letters prisoners can send or receive, but there are regulations that do apply. For example, while you can’t receive anything other than books that weigh over 16 ounces, you also have to receive prior authorization to mail an envelope or package that weighs over 16 ounces. Also, as it concerns outgoing mail, you need to add each contact to your TRULINCS computer contact list and then print a mailing label to go on each envelope.
Toaddress letters to incarcerated loved ones, you need to include their full legalname and eight-digit registration number, along with the general routing information (e.g., P.O. Box number, city, state, and zip code). Sometimes it can be helpful to also include the name of the prison, but this, along with housing unit and bunk assignment, are not required.
In addition to letters, federal prisoners are permitted to receive hardcover and softcover books, magazines, photos, and newspapers. Generally speaking, paper-based products are permitted. A good rule of thumb, since policies differ at varying security levels and even individual prisons are for books, magazines, and newspapers to come directly from a publisher or bookseller.
Photos cannot contain nudity, and books may not be explicitly graphic or provide instruction on martial arts. Also, with the exception of boxes or envelopes containing books, there is a 16-ounce weight limit applied to all inbound mail. If an envelope weighs over a pound and is not clearly identified as coming from a publisher or bookseller, then it will be returned to the sender.
Most prisoners don’t receive much, but typically, some of the most common thingsprisoners receive in the mail are newspaper and magazine subscriptions, books, and letters.You are only permitted to possess five books at a time, so it’s best toavoid issues and stick to this limit, but there is no limit for newspapers and magazines. These items are essential to keeping prisoners connected with the real world.Letters help prisonersrealize theyare not forgotten, and publications will help keep theminformed of what is transpiring in the world outside of prison.
A good, general newspaper such asUSA Today or the New York Timesis a great item to mail a prisoner.As for magazines, Prison Legal News is terrific. Many prisoners seem to enjoy the tabloids (e.g., Star Magazine, OK Magazine, US Weekly, People, etc.). The Economist is another great one. The idea is to stay connected with the outside world but to also provide yourself with healthy, pro-social readings. This helps more than you think when it comes to reentering society.
All communications are subject to monitoring. This includes mail, telephone, email, and visitation. A good rule of thumb is to not discuss rule infractions or other illegal activities with prisoners. If you need to discuss something quietly, come up with a shorthand approach so that prison security officials have a harder time following along and connecting the dots.
While notevery piece of is mail read or every telephone call is listened to,every communication has the capability of being reviewed. For example, every telephone call and email is saved and prison staff has the capability of listening to each call and reading each email. Likewise, prison mailroom staff have the ability to read every incoming piece of mail. While they do search every piece of mail for contraband, they don’t read every letter. There simply isn’t enough time in the day for that.
For more information on U.S. mail in prison or other aspects of prison life,Contact us.
How to Prepare for Prison
- How to Prepare for Prison
First Day in Federal Prison
- First Day in Federal Prison
- Admissions and Orientation
- How to Greet Cellmates
- How to Talk to Prison Guards
Prison Life
- What Do You Eat in Prison
- Prison Showers and Toilets
- Laundry, Clothing, and Bedding
- Prison Commissary
- Religion in Prison
- Searches and Shakedowns for Contraband
- Inmate Counts
- Smoking in Prison
- Inmate Work Assignments
- Education in Prison
- Recreation in Prison
- Radios and MP3 Players in Prison
- Electronic Law Library
- The Black Market in Prison
- Alcohol and Drugs in Prison
- Violence and Sexual Assault in Prison
Communicating with the Outside World
- Communicating with the Outside World
- Postal Mail
- Legal Correspondence
- Inmate Telephones
- Corrlinks.com Inmate Email
- Inmate Visitation
- How to Send Money to Inmates
Health and Wellness
- Health and Wellness in Prison
- Medical and Dental Care in Prison
- Psychology Services in Prison
Special Prison Survival Tactics
- Special Prison Survival Tactics
- LGBT Inmates Survival Tactics
- Female Prisoners
- Sex Offender Survival Tactics
For more information about prison life and how to prepare for prison, please email[emailprotected]or call 843-620-1100. Our team of experienced prison consultants stand ready to assist you in your time of need.
Published Apr 7, 2016 by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA | Last Updated by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA on Jun 9, 2023 at 2:23 am
