Letters to inmates
Where do I find a state prison's mail rules?
Updated · By the SendMyLettersOnline team
Each state's Department of Corrections publishes its own mail (correspondence) rules, usually on a "Mail", "Send mail" or "Family and friends" page, and individual prisons can add local rules. Find the person on the state's inmate search, then read that state's mail page before you write.
We don't summarize state rules here because they change often; some states now send all personal mail to a central processing or scanning address instead of the prison.
| State | Department | Official site |
|---|---|---|
| California | California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) | cdcr.ca.gov |
| Texas | Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) | tdcj.texas.gov |
| Florida | Florida Department of Corrections | fdc.myflorida.com |
| New York | Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) | doccs.ny.gov |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania Department of Corrections | cor.pa.gov |
| Georgia | Georgia Department of Corrections | gdc.georgia.gov |
| Virginia | Virginia Department of Corrections | vadoc.virginia.gov |
| Minnesota | Minnesota Department of Corrections | mn.gov/doc |
What to check on the state or facility mail page
- The exact mailing address for personal mail (it may be a central processing center, not the prison).
- How the name line must look: full name plus state ID number.
- Whether typed letters, letters from mailing services, cards and envelopes of any color are accepted.
- Page limits, paper type and whether mail is scanned and delivered as copies.
- Rules for photos, publications and anything other than paper letters.
- Whether the state offers approved electronic messaging and through which vendor.
County jails are different
Someone held in a county or city jail (awaiting trial or serving a short sentence) is under the sheriff's rules, not the state DOC. Search the county sheriff's website for its inmate search and mail rules; jails often have stricter rules, such as postcards only.
Quick answers
What are the rules for mailing letters to inmates in state prison?
They're set by the state DOC and the prison. Look for the DOC's mail or correspondence page; it gives the address format, what's allowed and where personal mail must go.
Why was my letter to a state prison returned?
Common reasons: missing or wrong ID number, no return address, the person transferred, or something not allowed in or on the envelope. The return stamp often says why.
Can I send a typed letter to a state prison?
Most states accept typed personal letters on plain white paper, but check: some facilities limit mail to postcards or an approved vendor.
What to do next
Once you've confirmed the address and rules, type the letter and we'll print and mail it for you.
Write a letter to an inmateSources
- California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
- Texas Department of Criminal Justice
- New York State DOCCS
- Minnesota Department of Corrections
- Virginia Department of Corrections
Checked: . General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change: confirm current values at the official links above.