How to Write to an Inmate
Once an inmate is incarcerated, physical interactions with the outside world may be limited. However, most facilities allow inmates to receive unlimited mail from their friends and family members as a way of communication. If you would love to send mail to an incarcerated inmate, you will need to find the offender’s mailing address and booking number on the prison or jail website. However, before reaching the intended inmate, you should remember that any incoming mail will be opened, read, and thoroughly inspected.
Before writing an inmate any mail, it may be necessary to do the following:
Locate an Inmate
Most jails accommodate inmates awaiting trial or those serving sentences of no more than one year. On the other hand, prisons house inmates serving a longer sentences. Therefore, if you send mail to a specific inmate, you need to find out which facility they are incarcerated. You can find through city and county jail lists first. After finding out the facility they are in, you can visit the facility’s website and obtain the inmate’s details. If the facility does not have a prisoner tracking locator, you can look at the state’s Department of Corrections.
Moreover, the Bureau of Federal Prisons has an inmate locator for its inmates. If you cannot find an inmate, you can visit a private company for an inmate search. Alternatively, you can sign up with a service that links you to a random pen pal. Most facilities will require you to offer the exact inmate’s I.D. and their full legal name and address.
Look up the Offender’s Booking Number
Some facilities require you to include the offender’s name and booking number with the address on the envelope. You can locate the inmate’s booking number using the offender’s database or contact the facility and request the inmate’s booking number.
Address the Envelope
You should write the address in the center on the outside of the envelope. Include the inmate’s name and booking number on the first line. Write the facility’s physical address or the P.O. box on the second line. The third line includes city, state, and zip code.
Include your Name and Return Address
In the top right section of the outside of the envelope, write your name and return address. On the first line, include your first and last name. Include your street address on the second line, while on the third line, you should include your city, state, and zip code. It is important to leave your envelope clean. Moreover, some facilities restrict stickers on envelopes since they can contain contraband. On the other hand, some facilities do not accept an envelope that contains stains, perfume, or any other substance.
Decide your Medium of Communication
Most facilities allow you to send handwritten letters or emails. However, an inmate may see a handwritten mail as more authentic than an email. Ideally, you should pick the medium of communication that would mean the most to your incarcerated inmate.
Figure out what you want to say
You should take tour time to plan out your mail. For instance, if you are writing to an inmate you know, you should consider their mental state while writing. Moreover, 26 percent of jail inmates report feeling vital psychological distress. If you have some personal connection to the offender’s crime, you should consider why you are writing. For example, some family members of murder or assault victims may write letters forgiving the inmate. However, you should not write anything that can be used against the offender in a trial. A judge may use any correspondence to and from an inmate as evidence.
Ideally, don’t overthink your letter. A simple letter wishing the offender well is all you simply need to write.
Write within the Boundaries for Inmate Mail Content
Every facility has its guidelines and procedures for contacting an inmate. You should read the guidelines keenly and follow each one of them. Violating the rules will destroy your mail, and you may be banned from contacting an inmate again.
All facilities restrict you from sending information that can assist the inmate’s escape or anything that may encourage a criminal offense. For instance, you cannot send anything in code, and gang depictions are restricted. In addition, sexual content is restricted, and insensitive language is banned in most facilities.
Build Bond
You can follow conventions for writing a letter in your mail to an inmate. For instance, you can start with informal greetings that contain the inmate’s name. If you are writing to an inmate for the first time, you can talk a little about why you are writing to them. As your letter goes on, you can write more details, and if they are interested in a particular activity, you can provide them with updates. For instance, if an inmate loves sports, you can update them on their favorite teams.
If an inmate’s sentence ends, you can write about life after incarceration by discussing searching for employment after incarceration. However, it is important not to make any promises that may lead to frustrations after incarceration.
Send an Appropriate Item
Some facilities may allow you to send gifts to inmates, but all have strict rules on what you can send. For instance, you cannot send anything that could help the offender escape, or they could use it as a weapon. It may include hardcover books, multipurpose tools, and pens. In addition, most facilities regulate the materials you can write with. For instance, you cannot use a large envelope or special paper like vellum.
On the other hand, you cannot spray perfume on the letter or include special watermarks. Other prohibited items include cash and checks, food and candy, and items with crayons, gel-ink, white-out, or glue. You can view the rules and regulations regarding sending mail.
Mail your Envelope
You should send your mail as you normally would, such as depositing it in the mail or taking it to the post office. You should never use a courier or delivery service, as your delivery may be refused. In addition, you should include the required amount of postage for the weight of the envelope.
Sending an Email
Some facilities may have an inmate database and guidelines for sending emails to an inmate. Using the service may be as easy as finding the inmate’s name within the database and clicking on an email bar. You cannot email an inmate directly, but you can use a service called Email a Prisoner. Although some facilities allow you to send an email, the inmate will not receive the email in an electronic form unless the facility offers computer and internet access to inmates. Instead, the facilities’ staff will print the message, read it, and deliver it to the intended inmate. The inmate will not email you back, but they may respond by writing a letter. You should keenly observe any rules concerning the sending of emails.
