Letters to inmates
Can I send photos to an inmate through an online service?
Updated · By the SendMyLettersOnline team
Only if the facility allows it, and only in the way it allows. Some prisons accept a limited number of printed photos in a letter, some accept photos only through a facility-approved electronic vendor, and some jails accept no photos at all. Check the facility's mail page before you use any photo service.
| Policy type | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Printed photos allowed by mail | Follow the size, number and content limits on the facility page; no Polaroids unless allowed |
| Photos only via approved vendor | Use only the vendor the facility names; others will be rejected |
| Photos scanned with mail | The inmate gets a copy, not your original |
| No photos | Photos are returned or destroyed; send words only |
Why photos get rejected
- Too many in one envelope, or larger than the allowed size.
- Instant (Polaroid-style) photos, which many facilities ban.
- Content that shows nudity, gang signs, weapons, drugs or money.
- Sent from a vendor the facility doesn't approve.
What we can and can't send
We print typed letters in black and white on plain paper and mail them. We don't send photos or photo prints, and we don't recommend adding pictures to an uploaded PDF for an inmate: an image printed on a letter page may be treated as a photo or rejected. For photos, use the method the facility names.
Quick answers
Can I send photos to an inmate through an online service?
Only through a service the facility allows. Look on the facility or DOC mail page for its photo rules and any approved vendor.
How many photos can I send to an inmate?
There's no national rule. Each facility sets its own limits; the facility page is the only reliable source.
Can I print a photo inside a letter?
Avoid it. Facilities may treat it as a photo or as altered paper and reject the whole letter. Send photos the way the facility specifies.
What to do next
For the letter itself, type it online and we'll print and mail it.
Write a letterSources
Checked: . General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change: confirm current values at the official links above.