Cecily Zamora
Inmates in the United States have a variety of rights and privileges, including the ability to send and receive mail, make phone calls, and receive packages. The specifics of these privileges vary depending on the facility and the jurisdiction. For example, while inmates in California are allowed to receive packages from approved vendors, those in King County, Washington, are prohibited from receiving packages from any outside source. Inmates also typically have access to a law library and are allowed to send and receive legal mail without it being opened by prison staff. In order to send mail to an inmate, it is often necessary to include their inmate identification number, which can be found using an inmate locator tool.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sending mail to an inmate | Allowed, but there are strict rules |
| Sending packages to an inmate | Only allowed from approved vendors |
| Sending money to an inmate | Allowed, but only via specific methods |
| Sending books and magazines to an inmate | Allowed, but only from a publisher, distributor, or online book seller |
| Sending photos to an inmate | Allowed, but no nude or semi-nude photos |
| Sending letters to an inmate | Allowed, but letters will be screened by jail staff |
| Sending emails to an inmate | Allowed in some facilities |
| Inmate access to legal information | Law libraries are available in CDCR facilities |
| Inmate complaints | Encouraged to be handled at the institutional level |
| Inmate identification numbers | Used for adding money to an account, sending mail, and visiting |
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What You'll Learn
Inmates' rights to legal mail
Inmates have a right to send and receive legal mail. This is a right afforded by the Sixth Amendment, which guarantees the ability to communicate confidentially with legal counsel. This right is also protected by the First Amendment, which is intruded upon by the reading of prisoner mail. In Procunier v. Martinez, 416 U.S. 396, 418-19, 94 S. Ct. 1800, 1814 (1974), the District Court ruled that an inmate must be notified of the rejection of a letter written by or addressed to them, and that the author must be given a reasonable opportunity to protest that decision.
In order for mail to be treated as special mail, it must be marked on the envelope with the name and title of the attorney, as well as the words "Special Mail—Open only in the presence of the inmate". This mail will then be opened in the inmate's presence, and the date, time, and name of the staff member delivering the letter will be recorded. The inmate may be asked to sign as receiving the mail.
In addition, inmates are permitted to send mail to an attorney's assistant, legal aid student, or assistant, by addressing the mail to the attention of the relevant person at the attorney's office or legal aid organization. Mail from an attorney's assistant or legal aid student must be marked on the envelope as being from the attorney or legal aid supervisor in order to be treated as special mail.
The right to send and receive legal mail is particularly important given the limitations on other means of communication for incarcerated individuals, especially during the pandemic.
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Sending money to inmates
There are several ways to send money to inmates. If you are sending money to an inmate at a BOP-managed facility, you can deposit funds into their Commissary account. This can be done by sending an acceptable negotiable instrument to the FBOP's centralized Lockbox via the United States Postal Service. Acceptable forms of payment include money orders, US government checks, certified/cashier's checks, or bank drafts. Cash and personal checks are not accepted. Alternatively, you can send money electronically using MoneyGram's ExpressPayment Program or via Western Union.
To send money via Western Union, you can use their new website or app, or call 1-800-CALL-CASH (1-800-225-5227). You will need to provide the correctional facility name, the inmate's name, their account number, and the amount you wish to send. You can pay using your bank account or credit/debit card. You will then receive a tracking number (MTCN) to track your transfer. You can also send money in person at one of Western Union's 55,000+ agent locations across the country.
If you are sending money to an inmate in California, you will first need to look up their CDCR number using California Incarcerated Records and Information Search. You can then use JPay to send money. Any funds sent to an inmate will be subject to restitution as ordered by the sentencing court.
Please note that if you are sending money via mail, you must ensure that the inmate has physically arrived at the facility before sending the payment. It is also important to include valid inmate information, such as their register number and name, to ensure that the funds can be posted to their account.
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Inmate identification numbers
The inmate identification number will be printed on the inmate's prison identification card and on all paperwork related to their incarceration. When receiving a letter from an inmate, their number should be written on the envelope. If you are unsure of an inmate's ID number, the most direct way to find out is to ask the inmate, as they should have received an identification card. You can also look up an inmate's ID number online using the prison system's inmate lookup page or the Bureau of Prisons' Inmate Locator Tool. These tools allow you to search by name and provide additional information beyond the inmate's name and ID number, such as age, race, sex, location of incarceration, and anticipated release date.
When sending money or other items to an inmate, it is important to include their correct register or identification number to ensure the delivery is successful. In some cases, using an inmate's alias or providing an incorrect or missing register number may result in the deposit not being posted to the inmate's account. Therefore, it is crucial to use the official inmate identification number provided by the prison system when sending any correspondence or making payments.
Overall, inmate identification numbers play a crucial role in ensuring accurate record-keeping and facilitating communication and transactions between inmates, their loved ones, and the prison system. These unique identifiers help maintain order and security within the correctional facilities.
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Sending mail to inmates
Jmail is another service that allows you to send mail to inmates in the US. Jmail scans and uploads letters to your account, where they can be accessed on your computer or mobile device. Jmail also provides an address to receive incoming mail, so you don't have to give out your home address. Jmail prints and sends letters to inmates, and delivers incoming mail from inmates to your address.
When sending mail to inmates, you should be aware that all messages are screened for content that could jeopardize the public or the safety, security, or orderly operation of the facility. Written correspondence is classified as either general or special mail. General correspondence is opened and inspected by staff for contraband and inappropriate content. Special mail can only be opened in the presence of the inmate but will also be inspected for contraband and the qualification of any enclosures as special mail. Inmates are permitted to receive certain commercial publications, magazines, books, and correspondence courses, but these must be sent directly from the publisher or an online retailer. Inmates are not allowed to receive packages from home without prior written approval, except those containing release clothing and authorized medical devices.
If you are sending money to an inmate, you should wait until they have physically arrived at the facility. You can send money via mail using a money order, US government check, certified/cashier's check, or bank draft. You should not send cash or personal checks as these will not be accepted. The inmate's full name and eight-digit register number must be printed on all negotiable instruments and on the outside of the envelope.
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Inmate access to law libraries
Inmates' access to law libraries has been the subject of several court cases in the United States, with the first landmark cases taking place in 1969. Since then, the rights of inmates to access law libraries have been established and upheld, with specific standards outlined by several associations. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive data on how this access is provided and the quality of the services.
The rights of inmates to have reasonable and adequate access to law libraries or other methods of legal assistance were established in two court cases in 1969: Johnson v. Avery and Gilmore v. Lynch. Since these cases, many others have supported the provision of adequate law libraries and have made decisions regarding their adequacy.
Specific standards for correctional facility law libraries have been established by the American Bar Association, the National Advisory Commission on Criminal Justice, the National Sheriff's Association, and the American Correctional Association, working with the American Library Association. These standards aim to improve the quality of law libraries in prisons, but there is a general consensus that what is needed are legal services.
A compromise worked out by the Connecticut Department of Corrections may offer a practical solution that satisfies both the inmate who wants to act as their own attorney and the inmate who is not equipped to do so. Their solution involves providing both attorneys and a basic law library that relies heavily on microforms.
A project funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) aims to examine the national landscape of access to legal information for incarcerated individuals and the role of law librarianship in facilitating this access. The project will document the different types of libraries involved, the challenges and opportunities they face, and how policies and practices can disrupt or promote access.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can send law codes information to an inmate. Inmates have the right to write letters to the court and file any necessary paperwork. All CDCR facilities have law libraries for inmates' use.
To send mail to an inmate, you will need to know their inmate identification number. This number is used for sending mail, adding money to an inmate's commissary account, and applying to visit an inmate. You can locate an inmate's number using the Bureau of Prisons' Inmate Locator Tool. You can search for an inmate using their first, middle, and last names.
All mail must meet facility rules. Mail that is racist, inflammatory, or sexually suggestive/explicit will be rejected. Paperback books and magazines can be sent from a publisher, distributor, or online book seller as long as they are shipped via the US Postal Service.
Inmates may receive packages from approved vendors. Individuals cannot send packages directly.
Yes, you can send money to an inmate electronically using MoneyGram's ExpressPayment Program or by sending an acceptable negotiable instrument to the FBOP's centralized Lockbox via the United States Postal Service.
