Important note
Correctional communication rules, approved services, fees, schedules, and mail procedures vary by facility and can change. Confirm current requirements directly with the facility or its official communication provider before sending money, mail, photographs, or gifts. Unchained Connections is a public pen-pal directory; it is not a correctional agency, legal or medical service, or messaging provider, and it cannot guarantee that a service is available or that a message will be delivered.
CorrLinks federal and state procedures differ: For federal Bureau of Prisons TRULINCS, the incarcerated person must add your email address and initiate the invitation; check your email and accept the request in CorrLinks. At participating state facilities, outside users may be able to search for and add the person directly without an invitation. Follow the specific state facility’s process.
Mail and property rules: Do not rely on general lists as permission to send an item. Facility rules may differ and change; check the recipient’s current facility page or mailroom instructions before mailing anything.
Introduction
One of the most significant methods to provide assistance and keep in touch with someone incarcerated in a federal facility is to stay in touch. But it’s crucial to adhere to strict guidelines about what you can and cannot send. Every institution may have additional rules depending on its security level or specific policies, in addition to the national laws set forth by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP).
possibly if you accidentally send anything incorrect, you risk having your mail rejected or possibly having a loved one disciplined. This book will show you how to identify the norms, what is considered standard, and how to steer clear of typical blunders.
Step 1: Understand the Federal Prison System
The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), not state or municipal officials, is in charge of managing federal prisons. This agency is responsible for all official rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to government facilities.
Verify that the individual is in federal custody (not state or county) before sending anything. You can use the BOP Inmate Locator to verify this:
Inmateloc: https://www.bop.gov/
Step 2: Visit the BOP’s Official Mail Guidelines Page
Go straight to the source:
Here is the link: https://www.bop.gov/inmates/communications.jsp
This website offers instructions on:
Letters in general
Delivering magazines and books
Deposits of money
Through CorrLinks, emails
For more information, make sure to read the parts labeled "Special Mail" and "Incoming Inmate Mail" by scrolling down.
Step 3: Learn What Is Usually Allowed
Although they must adhere to strict guidelines, the following items are normally permitted:
✅ Letters
handwritten or typed on lined or plain white paper
No lipstick, perfume, or stains
No glitter, stickers, or ornamental stationery
✅ Photographs
Five or more per envelope
4 x 6 inches or less
No quick photographs or Polaroids
No gang signs, nudity, or offensive pictures
✅ Books and Magazines
Must be shipped straight from the publisher or a reliable internet merchant (such as Barnes & Noble or Amazon).
Only softcover
Absence of hardcovers or spiral binds
No books about guns, escape, or gang activities, nor any explicit content
✅ Money
Do not send cash or checks
Use MoneyGram or Western Union with a receive code, or mail a money order to: Federal Bureau of Prisons
Insert Inmate Name & Register Number
Post Office Box 474701
Des Moines, Iowa 50947-0001
Step 4: Know What Is Not Allowed
Federal prisons typically forbid the following items:
Not Permitted
Polaroid pictures
Pop-ups, glitter, or electronic greeting cards
colored paper or envelopes
Extra paper, blank envelopes, or stamps
Things with stickers, tape, or glue
Books that have been marked, used, or sent by people
Food, apparel, or personal care items (unless shipped via an authorized vendor program)
Anything that implies violence, gang activity, weapons, or escape
Step 5: Check the Individual Facility’s Rules
Although BOP guidelines are applicable nationwide, there may be minor differences between facilities. The regulations for a certain institution can be found by:
Using the Facility Locator at the BOP:
🔗 Locations: https://www.bop.gov/
Click on the name of the facility, such as "FCI Terminal Island" or "USP Atlanta."
For comprehensive mailroom regulations unique to that facility, scroll down to the "Admissions & Orientation Handbook" or "Inmate Information Handbook."
Step 6: Call the Mailroom (If Necessary)
You can always phone the facility and ask to speak with the mailroom if you are unsure if a particular item is permitted. Be brief and courteous.
Questions to consider:
Are letters permitted to contain colored drawings? "
Can I ship a Bible in softcover from Amazon? "
Are images printed in black and white acceptable? "
In case you need to follow up later, make a note of the staff member’s name, the date, and what they informed you.
Step 7: Ask the Incarcerated Person for Guidance
Most people inside are aware of what they can get. Ask a loved one or pen friend:
What sort of correspondence have you successfully received? "
Do you have any specific goods in mind, such as a book or magazine? "
Are you aware of any unique limitations at your facility? "
They may also offer you instructions or a list of goods that have been approved.
Bonus Tips to Prevent Rejected Mail
On the envelope and every page of the letter, always write the inmate’s complete name and BOP register number.
Make use of plain paper and a plain white envelope.
Letters should not exceed five pages.
Don’t use more than five pictures at once.
Refrain from discussing violence, escape, or contraband as they could lead to censorship or disciplinary punishment.
Final Thoughts
For those incarcerated in federal prison, mail serves as a lifeline, a reminder that they are remembered and that their presence is still important. However, you must strictly adhere to the guidelines to ensure that your care reaches them.
You can confidently send encouraging, kind mail that has a significant impact by visiting official BOP resources, confirming with specific facilities, and asking the person inside what is permitted.
Official guidance
- Federal Bureau of Prisons: Communication with people in custody
- Federal Bureau of Prisons: Facility directory
- For state and local facilities, use the correctional agency’s official website and the facility’s current instructions.
This article is general information, not legal, medical, financial, or professional advice.